FACTS FROM LAST CENSUS.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 18, Issue 31, 16 April 1907, Page 3

FACTS FROM LAST CENSUS.

«$•!» Hm Bt»n a Steair DnUm 1* IHt««r««r Dnrlag tht Last ~> T»n Year*, • X :?^ T&* change* that hat* occurred during the last, two decides in the il« literacy of the inhabitant! of thia country are of an interesting character as detailed in the last report on population of the twelfth census, say» a Washington exchange. In 1886 of the aggregate population of 10 year* of age or over 17 per cent* were claused as illiterate; in the census of 1890 the percentage of illiteracy wai? 13.3 per cent., whioh, in the census of 1890, had sunk to 10. T per cent. This indicates a steady decline in that class of our people who are entirely without edu* cat-ion. This decline is most marked in the colored race. Thus, in 1880, these \v&r« 4,601,207 colored peusoife, mate and f«»*le, living in the United State* of 10 yeass of «£« and over, twfld of thk number 3,220,878 could neither read nor vrite, thus -giving »a proportion of illiterates of 70 percent. But in 1890 the illiterates of negro descent had fallen to 57.1 per cent., and by the census of 1900 it waadbown that a still further decline had token plaee and that only 44.5 per cent, can »ow be thus classified. The- number of foreign illiterate*, among our foreign white population appears to remain about constant. In those of this class over 10 year* of age there were 12 per cent, of illiterates in 1880, 13.1 pe* cent, in 1890 and 12.9 per cent, in 1900. On the Other hand, among the natire whites this limitation upon intelHgenee seenfe to be slowly passing away. Of the native white population of over 10 years of age it was found k> 1880 that 8.7 per cent, were illiterate. Thk number was reduced in 1890 to C.2 per cent., and still further reduced in 1900 to 4.6 per cent. The greatest gain in this last respect scemt to have* been made in the (southern states. Thus, for example, in Georgia in 1880 23.2 per cent, of the native white population of 10 years of age and over eould neither read nor write, but in 1900 this proportion had been reduced to 11.9 per cent., and the reduction holds good in nearly nil of the gulf sftitt* In Georgia in 1880 only 18.4 per cent, of the colored population above 10 years of age could rend or write, but now thk proportion has ltt» creaaed to 47.7 per cent. We hav* given this simply a* an illustration of the way in which a gradual and highly satisfactory change is taking place among our people. Education ii not everything; in fact, a thoroughly educated man may be an entirely disreputable character, but in a f reecountry, where the government depends on the will of the majority, it is essential that intelligence rather than, ignorance should control public policy and unless citizens can read and writ* it is hardly possible to s*ry rtault secured. ; i