The Washington herald., 1909-08-13

more. and Charleston. In 1900 the num-
Der of cities included within the area
enumerated in 1880 and having a popula-
ton OF 5000 or more was 2S6. an increase
Of more than fifty fold Rhode Island.
smallest OF the States, had more cities
of 5000 or more In 1900 than were found
in the entire republic in 1880.
discussion Of the white and negro
population brings out the fact that from
1870 TO 1900 the white population increased
2OO5.9 per cent and the negro 1867 per
cent. The Increase IN the negro popula-
ton from 1900 to 1910 was more than
twice what It was from 1880 to 1900.
The immigration in the twenty years
from 1850 70 1850 nearly equals the total
for the sixty years from ls20 10 1850.
Prior 10 1870 there were very few immi-
grants; most Of these came TO the United
States after 1910 and the number arriv-
ing before 1900 is so small as to be
negligible.
Northern Families Largest.
The proportion Of males in the white
population shows a more marked de-
crease from 1870 20 1900 IN the Middle and
Southern States than in New England.
The average size Of families in 1870 was
81 persons for the entire area covered;
for the several States IT ranged from 81
in Georgia to 61 in Delaware. In 1900
the average size Of families had decreased
by more than one person-5.7 20 4.6.
The striking chapter Of the book. and
the one which will most impress thought
ful Americans. is Chapter TX: Proper
ton Of Children in White Population" A"
Mr.. Rossiter introduces this discussion
with the following significant paragraph:
1T is probable that no change in the
composition Of the white population Of
the United States possesses greater IN
terest. or is more important 10 the future
welfare Of the nation, than the proportion
Of the total constituted by children. It.
is clear that upon the changes In this
respect. depends practically all economic
readjustment.
The contributions OF the two main ele-
ments Of the white population-descend-|
ants of persons enumerated in 1870 and
Of persons who came 70 the United States
after the first census-are estimated TO be
approximately 81. 900 and 100000 re-
spectively of the total white population
in 1900. Census publications are mute
the fecundity OF The various
elements OF the population.
At the present time the complexity OF
living, congestion Of population. depend
ence on foreign help and especially the
lnnumerable wants fostered by machine
made goods manufactured upon an enor-
nous scale and ever tempting 70 greater
expenditure all tend toward the restric-
ton Of the size OF families.
Future Problems.
Mr.. Rossiter does not attempt to point
h1
10 occur in the future from changes
which he has shown to have taken place.
The student of population a hundred
years hence. he says. will confront the
fact that in the early life OF the republic
there appeared I'm the total population a
very large proportion of young persons. /
but that after century. as the popula-
ton approached 100. 900. 900 and all OF the
activities Of the nation were developed. !
the proportion OF young persons de- |
creased 20 such an extent as 10 create a |
contrast between the condi- |
tons which prevailed at the beginning
and at the end Of the nineteenth century. /
Against such a background the economic !
history Of the coming century will be
written.
In the concluding chapters are outlined /
white population In 1870. preponderance Of !
English and Scotch names. concentration |
Of population under certain names. abb |
senCc Of middle names. Consideration /
Is also given 10 interstate migration. |
Of foreign-born population |
contributed by original and added areas, !
Of slavery in original and added |
areas. ratio OF slaves TO white, the /
value Of slaves. occupations, approximate /
wealth in 1870, and industry and wealth |
IN 1850 and 1900.
TwO-thirds Of the volume IS given over |
10 tables enumerating the population in |
North America prior To 1870 as we'll as 1
-ables derived from the first and subse- |
luent censuses.
Mr. Rossiter, by reason Of his long /
connection with the Bureau of the /
Census, his profound knowledge Of econ
'mic questiops, and his skill as a statis- |
ician, brought to the preparation Of the /
work exceptional resources. He has /
worked a new field and the result is q
'olume unique and original IN its scoDe.
t will be Of inestimable value to social
economists and all interested in the his
ory Of the population Of the United
,fafez