Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-06-15


here recorded. because of the narrow mar
gin by which IL seems to have been crowd
ed from its former place among the twen-
ty-six second largest counties. in point
OF inhabitants. -t
-. THE SCHOOL CENSUS. -,.
The recent school census of the state
showed the presence in Georgia OF TSs. III
children between the ages OF 6 and IS
years.
The United states census bureau esti-
mates. according to its tables. that the
children OF the country between the ages
of and 20 years represent 20 per cent Of
the entire population: experience has,
however. convinced the federal census
officials that the proportion of children
in the south Atlantic states is greater
than elsewhere in the country-that there
lis less race suicide" in this section of
the country.
Assuming that children are more prollf-
ic in the south Atlantic states, school
census would ordinarily represent great
er percentage of the entire population
than 20 per cent, but the census bureau
bases its 20 per cent estimate upon the
number of children between the ages OF
and 20 years whereas the school CEN
sus recently taken in Georgia included
only children between the ages of and
Is years. Therefore, the 20 per cent esti-
mate, II anything. operates to minimize
the total population. .+
But in the interest of accuracy, the
following system was observed in maxi
ing the foregoing estimates: ...
In the counties of Fulton, Chatham,
Richmond, Bibb Floyd and Muscogee, in
which are located, respectively, the cities
Of Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta, Macon,
Rome and Columbus, the twenty per cent
rule Of the census bureau was observed,
but in the rural counties the school CEN
sus was taken TO represent % per cent
of the whole. The reason for this dis
elimination finds excuse in the general
belief that children are more prolific in
the country than in cities, which. ac-
cording to the Rooseveltian theory. Is to
the credit OF the country districts
The school census, regardless of the
population estimates. has an interesting
political significance. The state consti-
tuition provides that the six largest coun-
ties. in point or population, shall have
three representatives in the state leg
islature and the twenty-six next largest
counties shall have, each. two represent
tatives.
The reapportionment of legislative rep
resentatfon will follow the taking of the
1910 census by the federal government
The school census. however, forecasts
the relative rank of the counties. so that
It is easy to indicate which of them will
be favored in the matter of representa-
ton.
The county of Thomas, with Themas-
asville as it's county site, which is now
and has for many years ranked among the
first six. and had three representatives in
the legislature, will lose her place, and
Laurens county, with Dublin as county
site, moves up among the select six.
Thomas county's displacement has been
anticipated ever since a large part OF
the county was sliced off by the legis-
lature and placed in the new county of
Grady.
LAURENs COUNTY'S GAIN.
Laurens gain In population has been
surprising. From an obscure position
among the twenty-six second largest
counties she not only displaces Thomas,
but jumps over Floyd and practically
cinches her position among the Big Six.
1t seems that Monroe, Tattnall, Dooly
and Ebert will certainly lose their rank
among the twenty-six second largest, and,
after 1910. have only one representative
In the legislature.
Pulaski, Hancock, Pike and jefferson,
il appears will move UP a peg. and have
two representatives. each, in the legis-
lature. The gains in Pulaski and Han
cock have been marked, while both Pike
and Jefferson have jumped over many
other counties in the matter Of growth.