OUR STATE AND TERRITORIAL CAPITALS. Alabama, Montgomery; Arizona, Phoenix; Arkansas, Little Rock; California, Sacramento; Colorado, Denver; Connecticut, Hartford; North Dakota, Bismarck; South Dakota, Pierre; Delaware, Dover; Florida, Tallahassee; Georgia, Atlanta; Idaho, Boise City; Illinois, Springfield; Indiana, Indianapolis; Indian Territory, Tahlequah; Iowa, Des Moines; Kansas, Topeka; Kentucky, Frankfort; Louisiana, Baton Rouge; Maine, Augusta; Maryland, Annapolis; Massachusetts, Boston; Michigan, Lansing; Minnesota, St. Paul; Mississippi, Jackson; Missouri, Jefferson City; Montana, Helena; Nebraska, Lincoln; Nevada, Carson City; New Hampshire, Concord; New Jersey, Trenton; New Mexico Territory, Santa Fe; New York, Albany; North Carolina, Raleigh; Ohio, Columbus; Oregon, Salem; Pennsylvania, Harrisburg; Rhode Island, Newport and Providence; South Carolina, Columbia; Tennessee, Nashville; Texas, Austin; Utah Territory, Salt Lake City; Vermont, Montpelier; Virginia, Richmond; Washington, Olympia; West Virginia, Charleston; Wisconsin, Madison; Wyoming Territory, Cheyenne. THE INCREASE OF POPULATION BY DECADES. 1931-40. 1841-50. 1951-60. 1861-70. 1871-80. At The increase of population since 1830 has averaged 32 per cent every 10 years. this rate there would be eighty-eight millions in 1900. From 1880 to 1890 the increase was 24.87 per cent. POPULATION AND AREA CENTER. The center of area of the United States, excluding Alaska, is in Northern Kansas, in approximate latitude 39° 55', and approximate longitude 98° 50'. The center of population is in latitude 39° 11′ 56′′, and longitude 85° 32′ 53′′, being about three-fourths of a degree south and more than seventeen degrees east of the center of area. The following table shows the movement of the center of population since 1790. YEAR. APPROXIMATE LOCATION. 1790 23 miles east of Baltimore, Md.. 1810 40 miles N. W. by W. Washington, D. C MILES WESTW'D. FIGURES OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE. 41 36 .50 39 ..55 55 .81 42 58 43 The last census of the United States, taken in 1890, and the results of which were announced in 1891, shows that we have a population of 62,622,250. The census of 1880 counted 50,155,783, of whom 17,392,099 were earners. The combined wealth of the country in 1880 amounted to over $50, 000,000,000-about $880 per head, or $2,600 per worker. Half of this was in lands and houses. This half was made up of farms, $10,197,000,000; residence and business real estate, $9,881,000,000; public buildings, churches, etc., not taxed, $2,000,000,000. One-eighth was railroads ($5, 536,000,000); another eighth, household furniture and supplies, ($5,000,000,000); the other quarter, live stock and farm tools, ($2,406,000,000); mines and quarries, ($781,000,000); telegraphs, ships and canals, ($419,000,000); specie, $(612,000,000); miscellaneous ($650,000,000); and the stock of products and imports, ($6,160,000,000). The annual product or earnings of the nation are given by the census of 1880 as $8,500,000,000. One tenth of this is used on farms. The product is very unevenly divided. An even division would give about $450 per year to each earner, or less than 45 cents per day for each person. But it has been reckoned that in 1880 fifty persons had an average income of $1,000,000 each per year; 2,000, $100,000; 100,000, $10,000; a million, $1,000; 14,000,000 under $400 per year. The chief wastes are as follows: 1. Drink. The "liquor bill" of this country, at the price paid dramshops, is estimated at from $474,000,000 up, of which a large part is worse than waste. 2. Fire. The loss by fire each year now exceeds $100,000,000, of which the $50,000,000 paid back by insurance companies is none the less loss. The expenses of insurance companies are $35,000,000 in addition, and for fire departments, $25,000,000 more. 3. Crime and pauperism. The census reported 59,255 criminals in jail, and 67,067 paupers in poor-houses. These are by no means all. Their support costs over $12,500,000 per year, but the full loss by crime runs probably toward fifty millions. 4. Waste of food. We consume now about $500,000,000 worth of food, of which probably 10 per cent is wasted by extravagance, bad cooking, etc. 5. Strikes and lack of employment. There were in one year (1880) 762 strikes recorded, of which 226 are known to have resulted in a loss of $3,700,000 unearned wages. Still greater is the loss by lack of employment for men willing to work. WHERE ILLITERACY PREVAILS. The United States compares very favorably with most of the European countries in the method of education. The preponderance of illiterates in the Southern States is largely owing to the presence of a dense colored population. The 1880 census enumerates 36,761,607 persons of ten years of age and upward. Of this number 4,923,451, or 13.4 per cent., are returned as unable to read, and 6,239,958, or 17 per cent., as unable to write. The following States show over 40 per cent. of their population as unable to write. Alabama, 60; Florida, 43; Georgia, 50; Louisiana, 49; Mississippi, 50; New Mexico, 65; North Carolina, 48; South Carolina, 55, and Virginia, 41; and the following States with less than 5 per cent. unable to read: Connecticut, 4; Dakota, 3; Illinois, 4; Indiana, 5; Iowa, 2; Kansas, 4; Maine, 4; Michigan, 4; Minnesota, 4; Montana, 5; Nebraska, 22; New Hampshire, 4; New Jersey, 5; New York, 4; Ohio, 4; Oregon, 4; Pennsylvania, 5; Utah, 5; Virginia, 5, and Wisconsin, 4. ORIGIN OF STATE NAMES. Alabama-Indian; meaning "Here we rest." Arkansas-"Kansas,' the Indian name for "smoky water," with the French prefix "arc," bow or bend in the principal river. California-Caliente Fornalla, Spanish for "hot furnace," in allusion to the climate. Colorado-Spanish; meaning "colored," from the red color of the Colorado river. "ConnecticutIndian; meaning "long river." Delaware-Named in honor of Lord Delaware. Florida-Named by Ponce de Leon, who discovered it in 1512, on Easter Day, the Spanish Pascua de Flores, or "Feast of Flowers," Georgia-In honor of George II. of England. Illinois-From the Indian "illini," men, and the French suffix "ois," together signifying "tribe of men." Indiana-Indian land. Iowa-Indian; meaning "beautiful land." Kansas-Indian; meaning "smoky water." Kentucky-Indian; for "at the head of the river;" or "the dark and bloody ground." Louisiana-In honor of Louis XIV. of France. Maine-From the province of Maine, in France. Maryland-In honor of Henrietta Maria, queen of Charles I. of England. Massachusetts-The place of the great hills (the blue hills southwest of Boston). Michigan-The Indian name for a fish weir. The lake was so called from the fancied resemblance of the lake to a fish trap. Minnesota-Indian; meaning "sky-tinted water." Mississippi--Indian; meaning "great father of waters.' Missouri-Indian; meaning "muddy." Nebraska-Indian; meaning "water valley." Nevada-Spanish; meaning "snow-covered," alluding to the mountains. New Hampshire-From Hampshire county, England. New JerseyIn honor of Sir George Carteret, one of the original grantees, who had previously been governor of Jersey Island. New York-In honor of the Duke of York. North and South Carolina-Originally called Carolina, in honor of Charles IX. of France. Ohio-Indian; meaning "beautiful river. Oregon-From the Spanish "oregano," wild marjoram, which grows abundantly on the coast. Pennsylvania-Latin: meaning Penn's woody land. Rhode Island-From a fancied resemblance to the island of Rhodes in the Mediterranean. Tennessee-Indian, meaning "river with the great bend." Texas-Origin of this name is unknown. Vermont-French; meaning green mountain. Virginia-In honor of Elizabeth, the "Virgin Queen." Wisconsin-Indian; meaning "gathering of the waters," or "wild rushing channel." MOTTOES OF THE STATES. Arkansas-Regnant populi: The peoples rule. California-Eureka: I have found it. Colorado-Nil sine numine: Nothing without the Divinity. Connecticut—Qui transtulit sustinet: He who has transferred, sustains. Delaware-Liberty and Independence. Florida:- In God is our trust. Georgia-Wisdom, Justice, Moderation. Illinois-State Sovereignty and National Union. Iowa-Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain. Kansas-Ad astra per aspera: To the stars through rugged ways. Kentucky-United we stand, divided we fall. Louisiana-Union and Confidence. Maine-Dirigo: I direct. Maryland-Crescite et multiplicamini: Increase and multiply. Massachusetts Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem: By her sword she seeks under liberty a calm repose. Michigan—Si quæris peninsulam amænam circumspice: If thou seekest a beautiful peninsula, look around. Minne sota-L'Étoile du Nord: The Star of the North. Missouri-Salus populi suprema lex esto: Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law. Nebraska-Popular Sovereignty. Nevada-Volens et potens: Willing and able. New Jersey-Liberty and Independence. New York-Excelsior: Higher. Ohio-Imperium in imperio: An empire within an empire. Oregon—Alis volât propriis: She flies with her own wings. Pennsylvania-Virtue, Liberty, Independence. Rhode Island-Hope. North Carolina-Esse quam videri: To be, rather than to seem. South Carolina-Animis opibusque parati: Ready with our lives and property. Tennessee-Agriculture, Commerce. Vermont-Freedom and Unity. Virginia-Sic semper tyrannis: So be it ever to tyrants. West Virginia -Montani semper liberi: The mountaineers are always free. Wisconsin -Forward. United States-E pluribus unum: From many, one. Annuit cæptis: God has favored the undertaking; Novus ordo seculorum: A new order of ages. The first named on one side of the great seal, the other two on the reverse. NICKNAMES OF STATES, CITIES AND PEOPLE. Alabama, Cotton State; Arkansas, Toothpick and Bear State; California, Eureka and Golden State; Colorado, Centennial State; Connecticut, Land of Steady Habits, Freestone State and Nutmeg State; Dakota, Sioux State; Delaware, Uncle Sam's Pocket Handkerchief and Blue Hen State, Florida, Everglade and Flowery State; Georgia, Empire State of the South; Idaho, Gem of the Mountains; Illinois, Prairie and Sucker State; Indiana, Hoosier State; Iowa, Hawkeye State; Kansas, Jayhawker State; Kentucky, Corn-cracker State; Louisiana, Creole State; Maine, Timber and Pine Tree State; Maryland, Monumental State; Massachusetts, Old Bay State; Michigan, Wolverine and Peninsular State; Minnesota, Gopher and North Star State; Mississippi, Eagle State; Missouri, Puke State; Nebraska, Antelope State; Nevada, Sage State; New Hampshire, Old Granite State; New Jersey, Blue State and New Spain; New Mexico, Vermin State; New York, Empire State; North Carolina, Rip Van Winkle, Old North and Turpentine State; Ohio, Buckeye State; Oregon, Pacific State; Pennsylvania, Keystone, Iron and Oil State; Rhode Island, Plantation State and Little Rhody; South Carolina, Palmetto State; Tennessee, Lion's Den State; Texas, Lone Star State; Utah, Mormon State; Vermont, Green Mountain State; Virginia, Old Dominion; Wisconsin, Badger and Copper State. Atlanta, Gate City of the South, Baltimore, Monumental City; Bangor, Lumber City; Boston, Modern Athens, Literary Emporium, City of Notions, and Hub of the Universe; Brooklyn, City of Churches; Buffalo, Queen of the Lakes; Burlington (Iowa) Orchard City; Charleston, Palmetto City; Chicago, Prairie, or Garden City; Cincinnati, Queen of the West and Porkopolis; Cleveland, Forest City; Denver, City of the Plains; Detroit, City of the Straits; Hartford, Insurance City; Indianapolis, Railroad City; Keokuk, Gate City; Lafayette, Star City: Leavenworth, Cottonwood City; Louisville, Falls City; Lowell, Spindle City; McGregor, Pocket City; Madison, Lake City; Milwaukee, Cream City; Nashville, Rock City; New Haven, Elin City; New Orleans, Crescent City; New York, Empire City, Commercial Emporium, Gotham, and Metropolis of America; Philadelphia, City of Brotherly Love, City of Penn, Quaker City, and Centennial City; Pittsburgh, Iron City and Smoky City; Portland (Me.), Hill City; Providence, Roger Williams' City, and Perry Davis's Pain Killer; Raleigh, Oak City; Richmond (Va.), Cockade City; Salt Lake City, Mormon City; San Francisco, Golden Gate; Savannah, Forest City of the South, Sheboygan, Evergreen City; St. Louis, Mound City; St. Paul, North Star City; Vicksburg, Key City; Washington, City of Magnificent Distances, and Federal City. Alabama, lizards; Arkansas, toothpicks; California, gold-hunters; Colorado, rovers; Connecticut, wooden nutmegs; Dakota, squatters; Delaware, muskrats; Florida, fly-up-the-creeks; Georgia, buzzards; Idaho, fortune-seekers; Illinois, suckers; Indiana, hoosiers; Iowa, hawkeyes; Kansas, jayhawkers; Kentucky, corn-crackers; Louisiana, creoles; Maine, foxes; Maryland, clam-humpers; Massachusetts, Yankees; Michigan, wolverines; Minnesota, gophers; Mississippi, tadpoles; Missouri, pukes; Nebraska, bugeaters; Nevada, sage-hens; New Hampshire, granite boys; New Jersey, blues, or clam-catchers; New Mexico, Spanish Indians; New York, Knickerbockers; North Carolina, tarheels; Ohio, buckeyes; Oregon, hard cases; Pennsylvania, pennamites, or leather-heads; Rhode Island, gunflints, South Carolina, weazles; Tennessee, whelps; Texas, beef-heads; Utah, polygamists; Vermont, green-mountain boys; Virginia, beagles; Wisconsin, badgers. NOTED NATIONAL NICKNAMES. Pupils in United States history and the general reader, who is at times puzled to know who is meant, will take interest in the following list: WONDERS OF AMERICAN RAILROADING. 1. There are in the United States 150,600 miles of railway—about half the mileage of the world. 2. The estimated cost is $9,000,000,000. 3. The number of people employed by American railways is more than 1,000,000. 4. The fastest time made by a train is 422 6-10 miles in 7 hours, 23 minutes (443 minutes), one mile being made in 47 11-29 seconds, on the West Shore Railroad, New York. 5. The cost of a high-class eight-wheel passenger locomotive is $8,500. 6. The longest mileage operated by a single system is about 8,000 miles. 7. The cost of a palace sleeping car is about $15,000 or $17,000 if " "vestibuled.” 8. The longest railway bridge span in the United States is the Cantilever span in Poughkeepsie bridge-548 feet. 9. The highest railroad bridge in the United States is the Kinzua viaduct on the Erie road-305 feet high. 10. |