p. 19 | A Decrease in Illiterates by A. J. HAYSMER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 21, 1912

A Decrease in Illiterates

By A. J. HAYSMER

THE total number of illiterates in the United States in 1910 was 5,516,693, or 7.7 per cent as against 10.7 per cent in 1900. The white illiterates were 3,184,954, or 5 per cent as against 6.2 per cent in 1900. The Negro illiterates were 2,228,087, or 30.4 per cent as against 44.5 per cent in 1900.

In 1910, white illiterates in the Southern States numbered 1,410,406, or 7.1 per cent as compared with 11.7 per cent in 1900.

In 1910, Negro illiterates in the Southern States numbered 2,133,961, or 33.3 per cent as compared with 48 per cent in 1900.

The per cent of illiteracy in 1900 and 1910 for the Southern States is as follows:—

	PER CENT	PER CENT
	1900	1910
Louisiana	61.1	48.4
Alabama	57.4	40.1
South Carolina	52.8	38.7
Georgia	52.4	36.5
Mississippi	49.1	35.6
North Carolina	47.6	31.9
Virginia	44.6	30.0
Arkansas	43.0	26.4
Tennessee	41.6	27.3
Kentucky	40.1	27.6
Florida	38.4	25.5
Delaware	38.1	25.5
Texas	38.2	24.6
Oklahoma	37.0	17.7
Maryland	35.1	23.4
District of Columbia	24.3	13.5

In 1900 there were four States—Louisiana, Alabama, South Carolina, and Georgia—with an illiteracy of over 50 per cent. In 1910 only one State, Louisiana, with 48.2 per cent, remained above 40 per cent.

The last census figures show that Negro illiteracy has decreased as follows:—

1870 ............79.9 per cent 1880 ............70.0 " " 1890 ............57.1 " " 1900 ............44.5 " " 1910 ............30.4 " "

The per cent of illiteracy in the States that have put forth the least effort to educate the Negro children is as follows:—

Louisiana ............48.4 per cent Alabama ............40.1 " " South Carolina ............38.7 " " Georgia ............36.5 " " Mississippi ............35.6 " "

Texas, on the other hand, shows 24.6 per cent of illiteracy, and the District of Columbia 13.5 per cent.

A. J. HAYSMER.