The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-07-21

steady growth In population. Ac-
cording to the thirteenth census the
population of West Virginia has in
creased from 959:80O in 1900 to Il
221,119 In 1910. While West Vir5
ginfa's percent of total increase In
population is. practically the same as
that of Pennsylvania, it is greatly In
excess of that of the other states
around it. There has been remark
able increase (66 per cent? In the
cities and towns having population
of $500 or over. In fact, there are
but eleven states in which the per-
centage OF increase in the urban pop
uIation has been greater than invest
Virginia, and of that number all but
one (F1orida) are situated west of
the Mississippi river. At the same
time it shows that the increase In
rural population has been relatively
higher than in the surrounding
states. That. the state is still strong
" agricultural is shown by the fact
that eighty-two per cent OF the pop
ulation at the present time ts classed
!, as rural. There are but two states
east of the Mississippi river in which
the percentage of Increase In rural
population has been greater than In
West Virginia.
Astonishingly rapid has been the
Increase of population in our cities.
that increase ranging up to 1888 per
cent for cities of 5000 and over dur
ing the decade.
With 5000 square miles OF terri
tory, in less than thirty-three years
cur state has Increased in population
from 100000 to one and q half mil
lion. Our educational institutions
took firm root in their development
In 1872 and they have been going
forward, forging rapidly to- the front.
comparing favorably with those OF
any other state n the Union. Our
high school system has increased
with great rapidity until we have now
142 high schools, with a student pody
numbering II, 500. Our school
youths number in all grades 100000
with 10. 600 teachers. West Virginia
is one of the few states in which the
teaching of agriculture in the COM
mon schools has been required by
law. 1t has numerous normal. schools.
three institutions of college rang and
state university. Between 1900
and 1910 the expenditure for common
schools increased from twoHto four
million dollars. and the value OF all
nnblfc property used for educational
purposes from s4,515.000 to $10.-
$4,000.
Our commonwealth has the natural
resources and all the requisites to
make it one of the first states OF the
union, located as 1t is In favorable
position both as to latitude and lon
gitude. Upon the lofty SUBMITS of
its mountains nest the well defined
system of winds blowing In opposite
directions, where the clouds meet
from opposite seas and mtngle their
rain.
West Virginia has an elevation of
from $50 to 4, $50 feet above the sea
level. 1t has more blue grass than
Its sister state, Kentucky. Its fruit
vies with that of the Pacific states
In flavor. While its horticultural de-
velopment Is young. its future is In
our farming, through the extension
tand agricultural departments of the
university has gone forward and
progressed in way that is marvel
Eous in the last few years, compare
lively speaking. In West Virginia q
mountains is found some Of the most
beautiful scenery in the world.
AS have said. 1t is the belief of
West Virginians that the story of our
states Development is yet to be- told
as part OF the bright record of
achievement that Is to be written by
the people of the United States. This
exposition and the great occasion for
Eit are prophetic OF the development
and progress which.are likely to take
place in West Virginia during the
next twenty years. We can judge
the future only by the past. Isseeino
reason why there should be any halt
in the development of our great nat
ural resources The world trafic
through the Panama canal is destined
to open up vast possibilities In the
way OF new markets for our unsur-
passed steam Goals. Not only is West
Virginia coal of quality and char
.acter particularly suitable for these
new markets on the Pacific coasts OF
both North and South America, but
1T can be put down at tidewater at
cheaper cost than the product OF any
other field. The prospective sgroWth
of, our coal industry alone would
seem to insure q banner prosperity
for us during the next two decades.
Country Life Enlarged.
And pari passu with all this indus
trial development are being realized
the aspirations. and dreams of men
kand women who are working along
educational lines for civic and social
!! advancement, for the conservation OF
the public health, the enlargement OF
country life, for. the attainment of a
larger measure of social Justice In our
industrial system, for better and hap
pier West Vfrginians. ,asvwelI as for
/ a better and greater West Virginia.
who can tell2 The future may have
Ieven better and greater things IN