The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1915-02-18

The Aims and Objects Clearly Set
Forth by Mr.. Station.

In last weeks issue of this paper, l
made a report of births and deaths
for the month Of January, and in
another column l had few words
addressed to. the undertakers, doc
tors and midwives of this town and
township urging them to report to
me the deaths and births that occur
in the district.
Since then l have had many inter-
rogations as to the purpose and ne
cessity of the vital statistics law.
Now this law was passed by the
same legislative body that makes
our other laws that we have to abide
by. This law and the prohibition
law are the least recognized Of all
laws. Bot wish to state right here
there is penalty for the failure to
execute these laws, and am afraid
that experience is going to teach
some onesa very dear lesson.
The vital statistics law went into
effect October l, 1913, and since that
date l have endeavored TO the best
of my ability to execute my duty.
The purpose of this law is as fol-
lows:
First. To preserve your name for
ever in the United States bureau of
census
Second. To settle your. rights to
property, regardless Of where you
live or die
Third. To safeguard your chill.
dren's title to your estate either in
this county or some other county in
the State.
Fourth. To provide a means OF
locating preventable diseases in your
section-rich or poor, strong or
weak, you will come under the wing
Of the law.
# our reports were perfect ]
could tell you accurately how many
deaths and births had occurred in
this county during the past year.
Some counties have already done
this. Why can't you?
Fer the year 1914 there were H..
931 births registered in North Caro-
lima, while the total number OF
deaths registered during the year
was only 81 ,484 which shows an in
crease to the population Of 40,447.
These reports are the findings of
the vital statistics department Of the
State board of health and are as
nearly correct as the vital statistics
law can make them.
The counties leading in births are:
Wake, 2 1856; Guilford, 2,15S; Meek.
lenburg, 2,036; Johnson, 1869; For
syth, l ,6333, and CASTOR, 1923. The
counties leading in the number of
deaths are: Wake, 1921; Mecklen.
burg, 1926, and Forsyth, 1,019
The counties leading in marriages
are: Wake, 807; Guilford, POP
Mecklenburg, 797; Forsyth. 772, and
Buncombe, 653. AS it appears
Wake county leads not only in the
number of births and marriages but
also in the number of deaths. though
her death rate is 204, which is the
fourth highest in the State. New
Hanover county has the highest
1913 per thousand-while Forsyth
has the next of 21.5, and Pasquc.
tank POT.
At first sight these death rates
may appear rather high, closer ex.
animation Of the returns indicate
that these rates are due largely tc
two causes: First, the higher dea,E
rate among the negroes, and, sec
ond, to excellent registration in
these counties.
Another significant fact revealed
by the figures compiled by the vita
statistics department is that the
white death rate is l1.5 per thous
and while the colored death rate i!
1916 per thousand. On the Other
hand the white rate is 1862 pei
thousand and the colored is only Is
per thousand.
With these remarks I feel that m,
. readers may understand the pur
pose of the law.
CHAS. l.. STATION.
Parents MeetiDQ ROSeneath Sch00l.