Page images
PDF
EPUB

BUSINESS POPULATION OF SAN FRANCISCO.

A new Directory of San Francisco has been published, and it contains some interesting statistics about the city. For instance, it states that there are 10,123 buildings in San Francisco, classified as follows:—

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

In this table are included over 70 single buildings which vary in width from 50 to 140 feet.

The compiler of the Directory reports the number of business houses in July, 1860, and the number that have withdrawn from business within the last twelve months, which latter number includes about two-fifths of those in business here in the middle of last year. The table is as follows:

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

The first reliable census of New Hampshire after it ceased to be a province was taken in 1790, when the population was found to be 141,111; in 1800 it was 183,762; in 1810 it was 214.360. In the following table we give the results of each successive census from that time to the present :

[blocks in formation]

From this table it will be seen that the gain in population between 1850 and 1860 has been much less than during any previous decade. The reader will notice that it is only one-fourth of the increase between 1840 and 1850. What is the cause of this? The increase of population throughout the country has been in a greater ratio during the latter than the former period. Of the two leading interests in our State, agriculture and manufactures, the former has been quite as profitable for the last ten years as for the ten years previous. We must therefore look to the condition of manufactures for a solution of this question. In the aggregate, manufacturing, though at this time encouraging, has been less profitable since 1850 than for the ten years previous. Added to this, there has been an impression among manufacturers that legislation and popular sentiment was less favorable to manufacturing interests in this State than in Maine and Massachusetts. Hence Lewiston, Biddeford, Lawrence, and other manufacturing towns in the above-named States, are growing more rapidly than the anufacturing towns in this State. Whatever reason there may have been for this belief, the recent legislation of this State gives evidence that it is entirely removed.

STATISTICS OF POPULATION OF BALTIMORE COUNTY.

Some interest being felt in relation to the progress of Baltimore County in population during the past decade, we present the following comparative tables, which, though deficient as to details, so far as the census of 1860 is concerned, are nevertheless sufficient to show with accuracy the relative proportion of white and colored inhabitants. The census of 1850 having been taken before the separation between the city and county went into effect, the tables presented the combined population of both; but as a table giving the population of Baltimore city was also introduced, by separating the statistics of population as given for the city from those of the city and county, we arrive at the following results :

White.

Population of Baltimore County, including city. 174,853
Population of Baltimore City......

Baltimore County....

Free col. Slaves. Total. 29,075 6,718 210,646

140,666 25,442 2,946 169,054

34,187 3,683 3,772 41,592

It will be seen by the above that the total population of Baltimore County in 1850 was 41,592; in 1860 it is reported to be 54,460; increase in ten years, 12,868. In 1850 the number of slaves in Baltimore County was 3,772; in 1860, 3,131; decrease, 641.

MICHIGAN TOWNS-POPULATION.

The following are the returns for some of the towns of Michigan:

[blocks in formation]

MERCANTILE MISCELLANIES.

NEW YORK CENTRAL PARK.

The third report of the board of commissioners of the Central Park has just been issued, which gives minute details of the work accomplished, and of that in progress at the present time. This is the first great enterprise of this nature in the United States, and we here make a record of its main features as a matter of general interest. During the current year the chief work will be the completion of the details of the lower park, and the construction of carriage roads and a foot walk in the upper park.

The principal features of the work that have been accomplished to this time, are the following:

1st. The roads completed are as follows:

Total Macadamized road finished..

[ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

.feet

7,283

9,838

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

Total, 3 miles 1,431 feet, (34 miles.)

200

2d. Roads commenced, graded, and in progress of grading: 26,751 feet, or

5 miles 351 feet.

3d. The total length of footpath, of divers width, completed, is 7 miles. The total length of the walk of the mall completed, is 1,450 feet. Total walks completed, 7 miles 1,450 feet.

There are seven ornamental bridges complete, or nearly complete, and five ornamental bridges in progress.

The number of trees and shrubs planted is as follows: Evergreen trees, 1,573 ; evergreen shrubs, 1,864; deciduous trees, 1,259; deciduous shrubs, 9,137; creepers, 3,157; herbaceous plants, 375. Total, 17,365.

The total amount of drainage laid during 1859 is as follows: Below Eightysixth street, 7 070-1000 miles; above Ninty-third street, 3 434-1000 miles.

By an act passed by the Legislature of 1858-59 it is provided that bequests may be made to the city of New York for the improvement and ornamentation of the Central Park, or for the establishment or maintenance of museums, zoological gardens, etc., upon such trusts and conditions as may be prescribed by the donors, and agreed to by the mayor, aldermen, and cominalty of the city of New York, and that such property shall be under the management, direction, and control of the board of commissioners of the Central Park. Under this provision the commission have granted permission to place within the park a monumental statue, in marble or bronze, of the late Commodore PERRY-the gift of AUGUST BELMONT, Esq. Observatories, museums of natural history, zoological and botanical gardens and galleries of art, find offers of substantial aid for their foundation. The board, however, recommend the propriety of leaving such institutions to the care of private hands, or of associations, under such judicious general regulations as might be prescribed by the board, having reference to the convenience and comfort of visitors, and to the integrity and faithfulness of their management.

The supply of water for lakes, fountains, and irrigation, will be inadequate until the new reservoir is brought into use, and additional facilities furnished for bringing to it the full volume of the aqueduct.

The board has had under consideration the subject of the expense of maintaining the park, and will endeavor to establish a system of license for franchises and privileges, that will yield a revenue to the park without in any respects obstructing or taxing its free enjoyment in all departments. Licenses for refreshment rooms for perambulators, or bath-chairs for invalids, to be allowed on the

walks, and for boats on the lake, may all be made to yield a revenue, and relieve the city of a part of the annual cost of maintaining the park. These conve niences are all to be conducted under stringent rules, to be provided by the board.

In relation to the zoological garden the report says that while such an institution could not justly be maintained by the public funds, it would be of great interest and instruction to the whole community. In the hands of a private as gociation, it could well afford to pay a rent for a location on the park, which rent, together with all other privileges of this nature, should yield a revenue to be applied to the reduction of the annual expenses of maintaining the park. Interesting statistics are given of the value of real estate in the wards contig uous to the park, for the past five years. They are as follows:

[blocks in formation]

$35,945,644

26,429,565

$9,516,079

$5,406,19% 74

Increased valuation on the three wards, 1856 to 1859, inclusive

Total.....

The total cost of land taken for the park to January 1st, 1860
Of this amount there was assessed upon contingent lands.....

Total cost of lands of the park..

1,661,385 00

$3,744,798 74

To this is to be added the cost of the proposed addition to the park of the lands between 106th and 110th streets.

As nearly as can now be ascertained, 10,500 persons have had employment on the park at different times, since its commencement. Four thousand four hundred thirty-five were employed during last year. The average per day for the past year is 3,027. The largest number at one time was 3,666. The average number of general foremen, foremen, and assistant foremen, during the year is 146. Two hundred eighty-four men have been discharged for inefficiency; 286 for violation or neglect of rules; 477 have been temporarily suspended from work for neglect of rules, etc. One fatal accident occurred during the year, and one the year previous; both the results of imprudence of persons killed. These are believed to be the only fatal accidents that have occurred in the construction of the park. The force is paid in specie, regularly every fortnight, commencing on Thursday.

The following is a summary of the treasurer's account :-Total receipts from May 1st, 1857, to January 1st, 1860, $1.775,512 36; the expenditures from May 1, 1857, the date of the organization of the board, to January 1st, 1858, were $77,881 41; expenditures from January 1st, 1858, to January 1st, 1859, were $507.487 86; expenditures from January 1st, 1859, to January 1st, 1860, were $1.179.246 47; total expenditures from May 1st, 1857, to January 1st, 1860, $1,764,615 74; balance, January 1st, 1860, $10,896 62.

THE END OF DEBT.

In the fall of 1847, a young man came to this city in quest of employment. After weeks of unsuccessful search, he found himself without a prospect of work,

and considerably in debt for board. In despair, he made arrangements for disposing of his clothes by auction, in order to defray his debts, when a letter was sent him containing a twenty dollar bill, and directing him to apply for the situation of card-stripper, to the overseer of one of the corporations. The letter requested him to sign a note of hand for the amount loaned, and to place it in a certain unoccupied box in the post-office, where it would be called for by the lender. This young man did as was directed, and received the situation, the overseer stating that it had been secured for him at the earnest solicitation of a young lady. Years passed away, and all attempts to discover his creditor was unavailing. The young man prospered in business, and at length plighted his affections to an amiable young lady with whom he had become acquainted. On the day before their marriage, he received a letter requesting him to call at a certain place and pay the note of twenty dollars, with interest, which he had signed some years before. Anxious to settle an indebtedness which, from the mystery of the whole affair, had occasioned many hours of unhappiness, he hastened to the place indicated, and was ushered by the domestic into a parlor, where, to his astonishment, he discovered in the person of his unknown benefactor, the lady with whom, upon the next day, he was about to unite his earthly fortune. It was her first business transaction, and the partnership which followed bids fair to continue happily through life.

DIRECT SOUTHERN TRADE WITH EUROPE.

We have received the following interesting communication from a Committee of the City Council of Baltimore :

CHAMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, August 2, 1860.

At a regular meeting of the Committee of the City Council and merchants of Baltimore, for the establishing of a steam service between the Southern States and Europe, held on the 30th day of July, the following resolution was unanimously adopted :

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed who shall enter into correspondence with the governors of all Southern States, and also the mayors of all Southern cities, asking what amount of bonds they will be willing to advance, or what amount of interest they will be willing to guaranty per annum, in order to establish a direct steam communication between the Chesapeake Bay and Europe.

In accordance with the resolution, we now transmit you herewith a copy of the same, and ask your sympathy and substantial aid to assist us in carrying through successfully the project now under contemplation. The Committee feel that, in the present position of our national affairs, no argument is necessary upon their part to impress upon you and your citizens the absolute necessity which should induce our Southern sister States to unite with us in effecting the organization proposed, or to attempt to show forth to them the vast benefits which must result therefrom. In our opinion, the time for action is now. We possess within ourselves all the elements of power and greatness; and if we fail to use them aright, the fault is ours, and will rest upon the generation in which we live. Although the resolution names only the connection between the Chesapeake Bay and Europe, still the Committee recognize the favorable position of Charleston in its relation to the cotton States, the West Indies, and the Gulf of Mexico, and appreciate the importance of such a combination with South Carolina as will bring the whole South, from Maryland to Texas, to accord upon a common policy for the establishment of this proposed Southern steamship line. The Committee are fully aware that you, in your official capacity, cannot pledge your State to lend its aid to this undertaking, yet we think a recommendation from you to your Legislature will be successfully carried through; and we there

« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »