A POLITICAL PRIMER OF NEW YORK STATE AND CITY How does New York compare with other States of the Union? The Empire State is the most populous of the forty-five, having more than six millions of inhabitants. It also stands first in the value of its manufactures, and in the amount of its dairy products. Its commerce is in large part that of the nation. Is it one of the largest States? Twenty-five of the States are larger; and it is only one-fifth as large as Texas, the largest of the States. Its greatest extent is 312 miles from north to south, and 412 miles from east to west, including Long Island. Its total area is about 50,000 square miles. What are its natural features? It is diversified everywhere with forests, pastures, arable fields, lakes, and rivers. Its lon gest river, the Hudson, is navigable 151 miles from the ocean. Its highest mountain, Mt. Marcy, is 5400 feet high. Its largest internal lake, Cayuga, is 38 miles long. The latitude of the State is from 40° 29' 40" N. to 45° 0′ 42′′ N. Is its soil fertile? One-half its area is adapted to cultivation. The amount of its farm products diminished during the last decade, but in these it ranks second among the States, Illinois being first. Is it a wealthy State? It is the richest State of the richest country in the world, and contains nearly one-eighth of the total wealth of the nation. What of its people? About 73 per cent are native-born whites; 26 per cent are foreign-born whites; and 1 per cent are of the colored races. What is the nativity of the foreign-born? Germans are about 31 per cent; Irish, 30 per cent; English, Scotch, and British American, 17 per cent; Russians and Poles, 5 per cent; Italians, 4 per cent; and the other 13 per cent is made up of Scandinavians, French, and every other nationality. Are the people generally educated? Of the native white population over ten years of age, 2 per cent are unable to read and write; of the foreign-born white population 13 per cent, of the colored population 18 per cent, and of the total population 5 per cent, are unable to read and write. How does New York compare with other States in this matter of illiteracy? Connecticut and twelve Western States have a lower rate of illiteracy. The average for the whole United States is 13 per cent. New York has a lower rate than any European country, except Scandinavia with its 3 per cent, and Germany with its 4 per cent of illiterates. May foreigners vote at elections in New York State? Only after being naturalized. An alien seeking naturalization in the United States must, at least two years before his admission to citizenship, declare on oath before a Circuit or District Court of the United States, or a District or Supreme Court of the Territories, or a court of record of any of the States having common-law jurisdiction and a seal and a clerk, that it is his intention to become a citizen of the United States, and to renounce forever all allegiance to any foreign State or ruler, and particularly to the one of which he is at the time a citizen or subject. At the time of his application for admission to citizenship he must also declare on oath before some one of the courts above specified that he will support the Constitution of the United States and that he absolutely and entirely renounces and abjures all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign prince, potentate, State or sovereignty, and particularly, by name, to the prince, potentate, State or sovereignty of which he was before a citizen or subject. Moreover, before his naturalization papers are given to him, it must appear to the satisfaction of the court to which the alien has applied for final admission that he has resided continuously within the United States for at least five years, and in the State or Territory where the court is held at least one year, and that during that time "he has behaved as a man of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed |