The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-11-04
PROGRESS IN RACE.
Population Doubled in 50
Years Between 1S6O-191O.
More Than Ten Million Now
Over United States.
REV. GEO. G. WALKER EXPLAINS
Great Gain in Negroes Who Do
Professional Work.
Death Rate Has Decreased in
Last Few Years.
lev. GEO. G. WALKER EXPLAINS
By the Rev. Geo. Gilbert walker.

by inc f6cV. Geo. Wd1ACTs
In 1860 there were 4,441,s colored
people in the United States. In 1910
there were 9,S27,763, the population
having more than doubled in fifty
years. These figures represent prac-
Gcally a natural increase, colored I'M
migrants being SO scarce as to be act
ually negligible, as far as increase IN
population is concerned. The colored
American represents 1917 per cent OF
the total population. OF the colored
population, 1,670,650 were attending
school in 1909-1910, which was 9.3
per cent of the total number attend
ing school This is relatively less than
that of the white American; but it is
a splendid showing, when the environ
ment of thousands of colored people in
the south is taken into consideration.
OF 7,317,922 persons ten years of
age and over 5,192,535 were employed
in 1910. This number included 5,147
gardeners; 1875 owners and managers
of lumber camps; 703 electrical en-
gineers; SIS mechanical engineers;
1904 stationary engineers; 157 gold
smiths; 2,2S5 plumbers; 1874 conduc-
tors! 336 bankers, etc; 3,497 clerks;
s53 undertakers; 321 fire department
men; 245 sheriffs, etc; SIT govern
ment officials; SIS policemen; S,754
soldiers, sailors. etc.
Professional Men.
In the professional services, the fol-
lowing statistics are noteworthy: Act
ors 1878; architects SO; artists, auth
ors, etc, SIS; chemists, civil engineers
$50.
Six years ago the coIored American
had 17,495 clergymen; 3,077 physl-
clans; 1898 lawyers; ATS dentists; 2,433
trained nurses; 29,4S5 teachers; 5,6O6
musicians; sol charity workers; 1885
clerks.
In 1910 there were S9s,47O farms
operated by colored farmers rms
represents a decennial increase OF
1865 or 1919 per cent. The total
acreage of these farms was AZ ,279 $40,
an average of 43.3 acres per farm. or
the total number of colored farmers,
672,964 were owners or part owners:
The total value of farms owned and
operated by coIored farmers was ST.
141,792,526; which farms were OPP
Grated by over $4,000 farmers. The
great bulk of these farms were in the
south.
Death Rate Increases.
In the registration area for NOR
tally statistics, the colored death rate
decreased in ten years from 29.4 per
This death rate is considerably larger
than the rate among white people.
which of course is due to modes OF
living and not to any inherent weak
ness, as some have ignorantly main
tanned.
In 1906 there were 36,77o colored
religious examinations. including those
in part colored; e. g., Roman Catholic
The leading bodies, in point of num-
Organizations. Members Ministers.
Baptists 1887 .........2, 6S7 17,733
Methodists 1920 ...... 852315 -.
Congregationalists 1885,. 1850 $500.
Roman Catholics. 3S,323 1900
The value of church property
amounted to $56,636,159; and the to-
tai membership was 3,685,097.
His Progress.
These statistics are self-interpreta-
tive. They prove that a group of peo-
pie has arisen from abject bondage to
a position of real consideration. The
colored American has made progress,
actual progress, astounding progress.
He has made this progress in the face
of opposition ard in spite of sore
hindrances. We are mindful that
numbers. by themselves considered,
are not significant of worth. We are
also aware that the same is true of
both white and colored people. 1t
may safely be asserted that, all things
considered, the colored American is
in fair way to make good. Certainly
it will take time. No group ever rose
to anything over night. He has be-
gun; and he is running splendidly
Yet, he must not allow himself to be-
come infatuated with figures. Figures
are not necessarily indicative of ac-
complishment. Quality and quantity
together make success. Ignorant pro-
fessional men, sham schools. incom-
petents in any sphere of life. are
hurtful and nothing more. These
types are to be discovered among all
groups. AS the percentage of them is
cut down the group increases in worth
and standing.
On the whole, the colored American
is to be congratulated on his progress
in fifty years. His showing in that
period is scarcely to be duplicated in
the history of nations He has derr-
onstrated to the world that he has in
him the stuff of which positive worth
consists. 1t remains for him to keep
on, and to be ever mindful that to
rest back upon past achievement is
subversive of prosperity. Success
knows no hating. Ever onward goes
the wagon of the white cows. The
writer is thoroly convinced that in
years to come-and not so rnaov
years, eithcr-the colored America n
Will have achieved a status among the
great people of the earth
BLAIR & HOPKINS