The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-12-11
WHITE AND coLoRED DEATH
 RATE

In the Southern Workman for Decem- detail on the subject of the comparative death rate among the white and colored citizens of the United States. Some of these details are especially significant, one being the unusual mortality among color ed children as compared with the whites. In a list of seventeen cities, thirteen be- ing in the Southern States the statistics show the deaths among children under 5 years of age to be nearly two and one- half times as great for the colored as for the white.
 There can be but one reasonable expla nation for this great discrepancy and that lies in the want of care. cleanliness and attention which is so notable among the colored people of the cities. In many cases, it is true, the negroes are not so situated as to give their children the care and attention that is usually given to the young whites, but in many other cases the fault is entirely with the parents who are ignorant or careless. or both. The children are neglected, no attention is given to cleanliness, and little thought is given to proper food. Under such cir cumstances it is not to be wondered at that the deaths among negro children show a per centage much more than double that of the whites.
 Another Mem of special interest to those who knew the negro In the days of slavery Is the deaths from consumption. In a list of eighteen cities. thirteen of which are in the South. the deaths among whites from consumption is shown to be trifis over eight per cent. of the total deaths while among the blacks it Is but slightly less than fifteen per cent. It is we'll known to those who are cognizant of the facts, that in the days of slavery consumption among negroes was of rare occurrence. There were occasional in- stances. but they were few and far be- tween. That the increase is due to the changed conditions incident to and follow ing emancipation is evident, but we will let the medical men give the reason why this is so. We have only noted the figures given in the Workman.
 The third significant feature of the re- port is the statement of comparative deaths in the city and in the country. as between the two races The details of deaths show that while there is but slight deaths show that while there is but slight difference in the per oentage of deaths between the races In the country the death rate among the negroes in the cities is nearly double case of cause and effect, for in the coun- try the negroes and the whites are largely surrounded by the same sanitary condi- tions and enjoy practically the same ad- vantages of pure air and good water. They have nearer the same wholesome diet and are safe from the temptations and excesses of city life. For these reasons the death rate among negroes in the country is but little greater than among the whites, according to the figures given in the article from which we have quoted. On this point the writer says:
 En order to remedy these evils. the movement towards the cities should be checked: higher sense of parental duty should be inculcated; simple sanitary and health instruction should be given to the people: and municipalities should be pre- vailed upon to maintain better sanitary regulations in the alleys and shade places where the negroes are forced to live.
 The Advertiser has frequently noted and deprecated the disposition of negroes to leave the country and crowd into the towns and cities in Alabama. Tn most cases the move is a bad one for both races. There are in Montgomery. for ex- ample. many negroes who are industrious, sober and law-abiding citizens. They have regular work and live independently and can always find employment. But there are at the same time many others who are idlers and drones, and frequently they are criminals. Most of them have nothing to do and would not follow any honest occupation if they had one. They live on those who do work. or by pilfer- ing and stealing.
 It is so in all cities in the S ,utA. There is room and employment for just so many, but beyond that any accessions are injurious. The negro in the country may not have an altogether happy lot, but the chances are largely against his bettering himself by coming to town un- less he has a place assured him. It is not only from a moral and economic point of view that movement to the cities should be discouraged, but there is also an inn portant hygenic question involved. Crowded together in insufficient quarters, with scarcity of wholesome food, and compelled to breathe four air with an almost total absence of sani- tary requirements, it is not to be wondered at that the negroes die .in much greater proportion than the whites. It would be strange if 1t were otherwise Their habits and conditions not only invite and propagate disease among themselves, but they are a menace to the community at large.
 These are some of the reasons why all reasonable and fair means should be used to make the negroes contented with Afe on the farms. and why any disposi- tion to so to the cities should be dis couraged. It Is best for both races that the negroes remain in the country. They are neded there and are not needed in the cities.
 Beginning Saturday the 18th and con- tinuing until Friday night, the 18th, you