The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-07-13
THE NEGRO AND THE CENSUS.

bulletin just issued by the federal census bureau
exhibits in an interesting light the growth OF the
negro element in our population. According to the
returns of the census of 19O0 the negro population
of the United States, including continental United
States. Alaska. Hawaii and Porto Rico, numbered
9.2O4.531 For continental United States alone the
negro population was s,s33,994-116 per cent Of
the total population. The growth for the decade
was 1871 per cent against growth Of 1873 for the
decade from 1880 to 1890. Some alarm was ex-
pressed at this showing when the census figures were
first published, about three years ago. 1t was ar
gued that the negro race, not being reinforced and
augmented by constant stream of immigration,
was in fact outgrowng the white race; for the en-
tire white increase for the period from 1890 to 1900
was only 212 per cent. Should immigration cease
or dwindle, it was suggested we should be face to
face with the unpleasant spectacle Of an Inferior
and formerly servile element In our population re-
plenishing itself rapidly and steadily than the
superior and dominant element in our civilization.
But complete study of the census returns hardly
warrants so mpaatable conclusion. The bureau 5
study Of the vital statistics of the negro race in
this country demonstrates that cannot under pres
ent conditions keep pace in growth with the Cau-
casan element A higher negro birth rate may be
admitted; but as might be expected the negro death
rate far outruns the white death rate. From 1890
to 1900 the negro death rate is put relatively at 80
against II for the white population. Notwithstand
ing its fecundity the negro race has lost ground in
numbers, compared with the white during the whole
Of the nineteenth century. In $780, 1913 per cent
of the total population of the United States was
negro BY 1910 the negro percentage had fallen to
I68 In 1890 it was only 119, and in 1900 it fell
still further to 116 Including the Philippines, with
other noneontinental territory, the proportion Of
the negro population under the flag falls today well
below 10 per centless than half its relative strength
century ago.
The trend of the negro toward city life is notice
able even in section so distinctly rural as the south
In the southern country districts the negro increase
from 1890 to 1900 averaged about 16 per cent; for
the towns and cities of the same region the increase
was 21.7 per cent In five Of the larger southern
white population, the rate for the former being 258
and for the latter 208. This acceeration was due,
Of course, to immigration from the country dis
tricts. Baltimore Washington, Memphis and New
Orleans are the four centers whose negro popula-
tion is increasing most rapidly. Each of these
cities with the country tributary to it, has negro
colony exceeding $4,000.
One marked sign Of the lower vitality of the black
race is found in the fact that half the negroes in
the United States are under 10 years of age The
medan line for the white race is ga disparity
which speaks for itself. There is nothing in this
study Of negro growth during the last decade to en-
courage the idea that the race is taking a more i'm
portant place as an element in our population, or
that it can extort, by force Of numbers at least
fuller recognition of its value as factor in our
civilization