The Colorado statesman. [volume] (Denver, Colo.) 1895-1961, 1919-03-08

M dress OF more than passn.ns inter- ihtero
of Representatives on Lincoln's
birthday anniversary by Congressman
Emerson of Ohio. 1t is of special value
To the country at this time, as it forces
the attention of the public upon an ar
ray of facts which show the remark
able progress made by the race in the
United States during the brief period
of freedom Statistics are not gener-
ally interesting. These as a revelation
of astonishing racial progress viii
prove an exception to the rule. Con-
sressman. Emerson said:
ION this the 18th day of February,
the anniversary of the birth of Abra-
ham Lincoln, it is very interesting to
consider for few moments the prog
ress of the colored people in this coun-
try who feel greatly indebted to him
for his efforts in securing for them
freedom and opportunity
ION September %. 1862, President
Lincoln issued his emancipation proc
lamation wherein he stated that on
January l. 1863 all persons held as
slaves within certain states We're to be
free. The close of the Civil War found
the colored man free-not only free.
but he was invested with all the
rights and responsibilities of citizen
ship.
How he has progressed since that
time is now n matter of history, re-
duced to figures and facts, and it is
well for us to consider them. bearing
in mind that the civilization and prog
ress and accomplishments of this race
have taken place in the last half of
century.
I'm 1915 the races of the world were
in about the folio wing proportions:
Yellow, 7O3, 100000; white. 100000, 600;
colored, 25S,OOO,OOO.
",ro give an idea of the great in
crease in the efficiency of the colored
race, | desire to submit the following
figures:
Homes owned. 1866, 1900; 1916,
500, 600
Farms operated. 1866, 10000; 1916,
OSLO
Business conducted. 1866, 2'loO;
1916. $4,000.
wealth accumulated, lSb6' SzO'OVO'-
600: 1916. S1.OOO.OOO,O00.
Now let us turn to educational sta
tistics:
Percentage literate, 1866. 10 per
cent; 1916, rs per cent.
college and normal schools. 1866
Is; 1916, 500.
Teachers in public schools, 1866
600; 1916. $4,000.
students in public schools, 1866
100. 900; 1916. 1,736,000.
property for higher education. 1866.
$50, 900; 1916 S21.500.000.
''Expenditures for education, 1866.
s7OO. 900: 1916 $14.600,000
The religious progress of the col
ored race has been wonderful. but here
are the figures:
&. Number of churches, 1866, 700;
1916. $4,000.
Number of communicates, 1866.
600. 900; 1916 100000.
Number of Sunday schools. 1856,
1000: 1916. $4,000.
Number of Sunday school pupils,
1866, $4,000; 1916. 100000.
Value of church property. 1866. ST.
500, 900; 1916, S76.O0o.O0O.
I'm 1911. in the state of Georgia. col
ored citizens made returns upon $685.
sos. S07 worth of property and owned
1.592.555 acres of land.
I'm North Carolina colored citizens
made returns upon S32.197S9O worth
of property.
I'm Virginia colored people owned
1674.S23 acres Of land and had S37-
S51, 97S worth of real and personal
property
I'm 1900 colored people were inter
ested in 81 banks and insurance com
panies and held policies to the amount
of s25. 100000.
"Colored people have Interested
themselves in Fairgrounds for chill