USA > New York > Erie County > Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume I > Part 50
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The City Bank was organized March 20, 1893, with capital stock of $300,000, and the following as the first and present officers: William C. Cornwell, president, P. H. Griffin, vice-president; Charles Daniels, second vice-president; Alfred J. Barnes, cashier; John R. Boag, assistant cashier; James G. Berry, second assistant cashier.
The Empire State Savings Bank was organized September 1, 1892, with the following as the first principal officers: Charles Daniels, president; John S. Voltz, first vice-president; P. J. Ferris, secretary and treasurer. The latter was succeeded October 1, 1892, by George W. Townsend, and he on April 7, 1897, by Edward D. Wheeler. Andrew Langdon is the present president; George A. Stringer, first vice-president; Robert Denton, second vice-president.
Another strong financial institution is the Fidelity Trust and Guaranty Company, which began business May 11, 1893, with a paid in capital of $500,000; this remains unchanged. The first officers were George V. Forman, president; George S. Field, vice-president; John Satterfield, second vice- president; T. S. McFarland, secretary, and twenty-four trustees. The resources of this institu- tion are now more than five and a half million dollars.
439
FROM 1870 TO 1897.
the Thirty-first National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic, held in the city from Monday to Saturday, August 23-28, 1897, the striking scenes of which are still fresh in the public mind.
Extensive preparations were made in the city, through the energetic labor of various committees, for the coming of the expected hosts; two beautiful and symbolic arches were erected in Main street, one in Chippewa street and two at the Front; a military camp, which was a model in every respect, was established at the Front and given the name of Camp Jewett, and formally opened on Monday afternoon by Commander Thaddeus Clarkson, and its use presented to the G. A. R. by Mayor Edgar B. Jewett. Visitors began to arrive on the previous Saturday and Sunday, and the city was soon overflowing with a vast tide of humanity from all over the United States. In the evening of Monday there was a civic parade in which various organizations took part. On the same day a reception was given to Commander Clark- son at Music Hall.
President Mckinley arrived in the city on Tuesday afternoon, mak- ing his headquarters at the Niagara Hotel. In the evening he was given a banquet in the Ellicott Square dining hall by Columbia Post, G.A.R., of Chicago. About 400 persons sat at the tables, and re- sponses to toasts were made by the president, Governor Black, Arch- bishop Ireland, Commander Clarkson, Russell A. Alger, Mayor Jewett, and others.
The grand parade of the G. A. R. took place on Wednesday. This was one of the most imposing and impressive spectacles of the kind ever witnessed. Marching up Main street, the vast throng turned down Chippewa street to Delaware avenue, and thence up the avenue to the Circle and thence to the Front. At the junction of the avenue and Chippewa street, and facing eastward towards the head of the marching veterans, was displayed the living shield, a symbol the novelty and beauty of which were almost beyond description. The great shield was composed of about 2,000 children dressed in red, white, and blue, who were seated upon a raised and inclined platform, and greeted the marching columns with songs, cheers and waving handkerchiefs. The parade lasted about six hours.
A reviewing stand was erected at the Circle from which the presi- dent, Governor Black, Commander Clarkson, and other distinguished men reviewed the parade. The business meeting of the convention was held on Thursday. It was opened by Commander Clarkson, who
440
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
was followed by addresses of welcome. These were followed by the commander's annual message, election of officers, and other regular proceedings. Speeches were made by Archbishop Ireland, Gen. Lew Wallace, and other distinguished persons.
It was estimated that there were 200,000 or more strangers in the city during this memorable event. Many of these left on Thursday, while others remained through the week. This vast gathering was comfortably provided for, and there was not a complaint of any im- portance from any one, nor an untoward occurrence to mar the occasion. At the Thursday meeting the following resolution was offered by Gen. Lew Wallace and adopted :
Resolved, That this Encampment cannot adjourn without expressing its great appreciation of the liberality of the municipal authorities and all of the citizens of Buffalo for this labor of love and patriotism they have performed in preparing for and entertaining the members of the Encampment and its visiting friends.
Buffalo enjoys the distinction of being the birthplace of the second Grand Army post in the United States, the first one being organized in Illinois. The Buffalo post-Chapin, No. 2-was mustered in the fall of 1866, and has had an uninterrupted existence. It was the first to apply for a charter in this State. In 1869 it had 592 members, or twenty-five more than any other post in New York; now it has 319. It was named in honor of Gen. Edward Payson Chapin, who fell at the battle of Port Hudson, May 27, 1863, and from its ranks were organ- ized the Bidwell and Wilkeson posts, the former on April 1, 1870, and the latter on May 15, 1871. These two posts were consolidated May 28, 1880, under the name of Bidwell Wilkeson Post, No. 9, which now has 351 members and is the largest and foremost Grand Army organi- zation in Erie county, numbering among its officers and men some of the leading citizens of Buffalo. To Chapin Post and Post Commander John D. Leib is due the credit of erecting in Forest Lawn a beautiful soldiers' monument and the setting apart of a burial plot for friendless and indigent veterans.
At the present time there are seven Grand Army posts in Buffalo, having a total membership of about 1,225. In the county, outside of the city, there are perhaps another thousand or fifteen hundred veter- ans belonging to the Grand Army of the Republic. It is impossible to estimate the number of soldiers and sailors in Erie county who served in the late Rebellion, but an idea may be gained from the fact that there are upwards of 3,000 pensioners within our limits. No other
FROM 1870 TO 1897.
441
organization has inspired such patriotism; no body of men has a higher claim to the honor of a grateful public.
The valuation of real and personal property in the city of Buffalo from 1855, when the boundaries were enlarged, and the amount of tax levied in each year, to the present time, are shown in the following table :
YEAR.
Valuation real estate.
Valuation per- sonal prop- erty.
Total of real and personal property.
Tax.
1855
$28,128,039
$7,360,436
$35,488,475
$301,213 32
1856
29,356,291
8,130,770
37,487,061
317,478.56
1857
29,446,280
6,065,720
35,512,000
345,834.47
1858
27,743,945
5,485,080
33,229,025
$64.904.48
1859
24,997,300
4,743,080
29,740,380
304,783.33
1860
24,358,905
5,893,470
30,252,375
302,443.18
1861
24,232,955
6,472,175
30,705,130
283.644.49
1862
24,677,175
6,944,180
31,621,355
284,196.19
1863
25,210,815
6,528,045
31,738,860
334,504.83
1864
25,491,900
6,517,510
32 009,410
403,857.33
1865
25,868,210
7,730,030
33,598,240
504,218.86
1866
26,438,325
8,519,375
34,957,700
485,444.16
1867
28,807,940
10,755,175
39,563,115
640,713.45
1868
29,359,788
7,156,475
36,516,263
648,778.11
1869
30,289,215
7,350,835
37,640,050
657,954.75
1870
30,838,530
6,547,575
37,386,105
865,350.56
1871
31,990,095
6,247,775
38,237,870
867,644.25
1872
32,755,730
5.719,405
38,475,135
1,042,612.62
1873
33,587,040
6,129,550
39,716,590
1,334,075.88
1874
33,943,735
6,024,370
39,968,105
1,442,290.39
1875
34,974,065
6,105,000
41,079,065
1,487,672.19
1876
102,540,095
9,455,860
111,995,955
1,420,778.87
1877
91,130,870
8,844,705
99,975,575
1,545 392.80
1878
80,929,165
7,947,380
88,876,545
1,243,582.89
1879
80,521,930
7.634,380
88,156,310
1,036,501.27
1880
81,713,740
7,523,850
89,237,320
1,264,064.90
1881
84,394,920
7,850,545
92,254,465
1,505,445.11
1882
88,473,285
9,623,750
98,097,035
1,582,665.15
1883
93,167,090
8,796,675
101,963,765
1,659,634.99
1884
96,341,455
8,459,735
104,801,190
1,723,656.75
1885
99,912,470
8,461,675
108,364,145
1,993,195.81
1886
113,963,945
8,405,225
122,369,170
2,113,686.56
1887
119,876,145
8,755,150
128,631,295
2,012,251.78
1888
123,793,900
9,383,405
133,076,805
1,911,365.27
1889
147,168,115
10,344,455
157,512,570
2,228,122.05
1890
151,356,265
11,003,125
162,359,450
2,383,789.53
1891
168,181,770
11,775,580
179,957,350
2,845,997.78
1892
183,254,870
13,829,910
197,084,780
2,989,614.81
1893
208,665,620
13,907,265
222,572,885
3,526,249.14
1894
215,400,430
14,725,975
230,126,405
3,528,310.59
1895
220,290,690
14,360,710
234,651,400
3,612,616.40
1896
225,485,795
13,486,550
238,972,345
3,588,423.01
1897
230,698,810
16,689,465
247,388,275
3,507,668.67
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442
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
In this connection the following statement of property that is exempt from taxation for support of the municipal government for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1895, and June 30, 1896 (the latest available) is of significant interest :
United States.
June 30, 1895. $882,400
June 30, 1896. $882,400
State of New York
2,181,145
2,231,145
Erie county.
0884,785
959,725
City and county
1,607,400
1,607,400
City
8,310,467
8.004,194
RELIGIOUS.
Protestant
$3,496,420
$3,758,915
Roman Catholic
4,470,085
4,076,170
Hebrew
157,040
161,290
Clergymen
146,000
161,000
Miscellaneous
3,047,780
3,761,375
Totals
$24,877,189
$25,909,887
Statement showing the receipts of flour and grain at Buffalo by lake during the past sixty-one years :
YEAR.
Flour, bbls.
Wheat, bu.
Corn, bu.
Oats, bu.
Barley, bu.
Rye, bu.
1836
139,178
394,090
204,335
28,640
4,876
1,506
1837
126,805
450,350
94,490
2,553
3,267
1838
277,620
933,117
34,148
6,557
900
1839
294,125
1,117,162
1840
597,642
1,004,561
71,326
1841
730,040
1,635,000
201,031
14,144
2,150
1842
734,408
1,555,410
454,530
917,517
1,827,241
233,966
2,589
1,332
1844
915,030
2 177,500
137,978
18,017
1,617
456
1845
746,750
1,770,740
54,200
23,000
47,530
28,250
1847
1,873,000
6,489,100
2,862,800
446,000
1848
1,249,000
4,520,717
2,298 030
560,000
6
17,889
1849
1,207,435
3,943,978
3,321,651
363,384
1850 1851
1,258,224
4,167,121
5,998,774
1,140,340
242,773
10,650
1852
1,299,213
5,549,778
5,136,746
2,596,231
497,613
112,251
1853
975,557
5,420,043
8,065,793
1,580,653
401,089
107,152
1854
739,756
8,510,782
10,183,983
1,401,739
313,885
177,066
1855
936,761
8,021,126
9,711,433
2,093,222
62,304
390,591
1856
1,120 048
8,456,671
19,633,277
1,733,782
46,327
245,810
1857
845,953
8,334,179
5,713,611
1,744,760
37,344
45,536
1858
1,536,109
10,671,550
6,621,660
2,275,231
308,371
125,214
1859
1,420,333
9,234,652
3,113,658
304,502
361,560
124,693
1860
1,122,335
18,502,649;
11,386,217
1,269,594
262,159
80,822
1861
2,159,501|
27,105,210|
21,024,657
1,707,905
313,757
377,764
1
1,103,039
3,681,347
2,593,378|
357,580
3,600
1846
1,347,520
4,744,184
1,455,258
288,300
4,710
1,268
1843
70,787
443
FROM 1870 TO 1897.
YEAR.
Flour, bbls.
Wheat, bu.
Corn, bu.
Oats, bu.
Barley, bu.
Rye, bu.
1862
2,846,222
30,435,831
24.288,627
2,624,932
423,194
791,564
1863
2,978,089 21,248,348
20,086,852
8,322,127
641,499
422,408
1864
2,023,520
17,677,549
10,478,681
11,682,637
464,057
633,727
1865
1,788,393
13,347,888
19,940,609
8,494,799
820,563
877,676
1866
1,313,548
19,515,673
27,908,548
10,298,751
1,072,757
1,103,519
1867
1,417,769,
12,228,141
17,376,272
10,535,159
1,798,596
918,458
1868
1,524,818
12,647,784
16,889,555
11,310,053
679,241
984,458
1869
1,606,629
19,335,646
41,937,131
5,312,874
696,495
125,203
1870
1,453,613
20,136,166
8,885,337
6,620,306
1,857,424
669,551
1871
1,241,969
22,873,485
26,329,151
6,210,980
1,777,472
1,071,918
1872
769,368
14.038,080
35,077,203
6,035,558
3,148,282
301,856
1873
1,092,713
26,653,243
27,930,206
5,858,374
1,168,332
823,240
1874
1,371,991
28,529,890
22,394,856
4,166,934
489,933
77,576
1875
1,026,965
30,489,460
17,408,475
4,511,005
239,219
138,582
1876
795,383
18,341,614
21,344,114
2,445,023
962,607
100,395
1877
646,623
23,350,607
31,344,610
4,289,662
1,608,596
1,205,020
1878
943,668
35,562,185
35,558,409
4,912,380
1,680,593
2,064,412
1879
888,425
37,845,501
32,999,364
1,144,838
647,484
1,642,382
1880
1,056,346
39,611,132
62,916,584
1,672,961
310,108
642,586
1881
761,744
17,764,065
33,004,144
3,350,070
243,097
22,222
1882
1,395,315
26,404,535
20,738,355
1,667,437
574,011
637,503
1883
1,772,309
23,948,452
33,915,262
3,275,695
473,618
2,651,201
1884
1,823,143
33,671,756
16,651,163
3,113,781
437,937
2,376,186
1885
2,223,602
27,226,275
20,245,770
690,099
569,017
237,904
1886
4,390,210
40,921,205
25,494,838
864,356
755,184
151,025
1887
3,777,187
48,077,512
39,656,220
6,610,889
1,393,855
290,359
1888
5,383,196
28,528,131
35,960,245
7,913,689
338,945
684,019
1889
5,508,970
26,437,716
46,679,875
14,274,689
1,477,852
1,872,468
1890
6,214 982
24,874,147
44,097,522
13,852,924
5,355, 656
1,256,689
1891
7,260,092
75,584,443
29,539,901
12,450,514
4,499,928
5,831,367
1892
9,476,122
78,240,791
32,377,878
16,479,253
4,600,963
1,316,536
1893
10,662,046
68,355,358
41,532,839
20.876,984
5,818,287
621,533
1894
11,168,564
49,225,387
27,187,875
15,370,380
8,536,010
475,494
1895
9,279,352
46,808,753
36,819,879
21,651,869
10,558,805
874,606
1896
10,396, 731
54,158, 729
47,537,228 39,925,933
16,891,168
4,440,951
Statement showing the aggregate receipts of grain and the total receipts of flour reduced to its equivalent in wheat at Buffalo for the past 61 years :
YEAR.
Grain, bush.
Grain, in- cluding flour, bushels.
YEAR.
Grain, bush.
Grain, in- cluding flour, bushels.
1836
543,461
1,239,351
1845
1,848,040
5,581,700
1837
550,660
1,184,685
1846
6,493,522
13,386,167
1838
947,751
2,362,851
1847
9,868,187
19,153,187
1839
1,117,062
2,579,387
1848
7,396,912
14,641,012
1840
1,075,988
4,061,598
1849
8,628,013
14,665,183
1841
1,852,325
5,592,525
1850
6,618,003
12,059,556
1842
2,015,928
5,687,463
1851
11,078,741
17,740,781
1843
2,015,025
6,642,610
1852
13,392,937
20,390,504
1844
2,365,568
6,910,718
1853
11,078,741
15,956,526
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444
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
YEAR.
Grain, bush.
Grain, in- cluding flour, bushels.
YEAR.
Grain, bush.
Grain, in- cluding flour, bushels.
1854
18,553,455
22,252,235
1876
44,207,121
48,184,036
1855
19,788,473
24,472,278
18777
61,822,282
65,147,407
1856.
20,123,667
25,763,907
1878
74,105,455
84,540,863
1857
15,348,930
10,578,690
1879
74,105,455
78,547.578
1858
20,202,244
26,812,890
1880
105,184,136
110,465,866
1859
14,429,069
21,530,622
1881
54,288,351
58,088,071
1860
31,441,440
37,053,115
1882.
50,321,841
57,298,316
1861
50,682,646
61,640,601
1883
64,264,483
73,126,028
1862
58,642,314
72,872,454
1884
55,750,823
64,866,538
1863
49,845,062
64,735,520
1885
48,969,065
64,012,955
1864
41,014,096
51,177,146
1886
68,186,608
89,127,658
1865
42,473,228
51,415,183
1887
84,029,040
102,914,755
1866
51,830,342
58,388,087
1888
73,925,029
100,841,000
1867
43,079,079
50,168,064 50,197,215
1890
89,436,958
118,958,102
1869
37,456,131
45,489,276
1891
127,906,153
162,391,590
1870
38,208,039
45,477,094
1892
133,015,421
179,309,500
1871
61,319,313
67,259,158
1893
137,205,001
190,515,231
1872
58,703,606
62,550,566
1894
102,004,514
157,847,334
1873
65,489,955
70,962,520
1895
116,714,001)
163,111,061
1874
55,665,198
62,525,153
1896
162,945,009
214 957,553
1875
52,883,451
57,935,661
Total vessels arrived and cleared; tonnage. Totals for 39 years:
YEAR.
No. Vessels.
Tonnage.
YEAR.
No. Vessels.
Tonnage.
1856
8,126
3,018,580
1877
6,848
3,543,363
1857
7,581
3,226,803
1878
8,743
4,663,688
1858
8,838
3,320.426
1879
8,436
4,442,797
1859
10,521
5,902,626
1880
10,308
5,935,746
1860
11,517
4,710,175
1881
6,745
5,535,223
1861
13,866
5,963,866
1882
7,333
4,405,003
1862
16,890
6,089,194
1883
7,674
4,405,543
1863
15,376
6,757,904
1884
7,539
4,386,575
1864
14,205
6,891,348
1885
6,928
5,096,710
1865
13,746
5,032,593
1886
7,772
4,753,467
1866
13,782
6,951,950
1887
9,950
5,302,659
1867
12,826
5,806,960
1888
8,647
6,026,814
1868
11,812
4,256,330
1889
9,018
6,900,798
1869
10,221
4,007,196
1890
9,762
6,566,415
1870
10,625
4,157,793
1891
10,866
8,928,763
1871
10,894
4,862,644
11892
11,479
9,560,942
1872
10,393
4,688,058
1893
10,053
9,494,599
1873
9,959
4,886,763
1894
9,664
8,789,902
1874
7,477
3,641,049
1895
10,005
9,562,414
1875
6,277
3,259,839
1876
4,624
2,757,986
1896
11,332
11,304,607
:
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90,742,600
118,287,450
1868
42,573,125
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1889
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445
FROM 1870 TO 1897.
Aggregate shipments of grain and flour via Erie canal for the years noted :
YEAR.
Grain, bu.
Flour, bbls.
Year.
Grain, bu.
Flour, bbls.
1862
52,376,500
428,268
1880
71,699,265
19,710
1863
45.236,283
486,856
1881
30,758,912
1864_
38,078,575
146,745
1882
29,439,688
6,913
1865
37,428,889
440,867
1883
42,352,225
4,349
1866
33,750,090
1884
37,846,067
4,849
1867
26,387,161
16,560
1885
31,467,768
2,692
1868
36,458,150
5,638
1886
45,017,163
4,518
1869
28,361,361
51,446
1887
48,972,550
3,096
1870
28,966,780
74,384
1888
38,070,930
4,945
1871
47,954,240
45,068
1889
41,742,000
8,454
1872
48,246,960
5,142
1890
38,218,960
1,805
1873
50,930,447
13,570
1891
34,491,140
9,020
1874.
40,986,834
49,182
1892
31,531,490
29,565
1875
35,318,120
54,251
1893
48,042,715
3,927
1876
27 558,744
2,137
1894
48,428,251
3,028
1877
48,425,968
4,160
1895
20,327,971
700
1878.
59,514,779
2,421
1896
35,773,808
64,550
1879
53,822,546
4,652
Comparative statement showing the shipment of a few leading arti- cles from Buffalo by lake for twenty-two years:
YEAR.
Coal, tons. Cement, bb1.
Salt, bbl.
Sugar, bbl.
1875
541,812
165,426
355,410
1876
356,970
156,410
261,641
1877
439,399
114,402
352,038
1878
325,676
'85,093
243,343
1879
513,580
114,802
153,647
1880
246,050
156.733
234,826
1881
841,312
164,521
112,812
1882
964,326
184,327
96,053
1883
1,177,074
214,724
11,422
1884.
1,350,980
195,640
64,540
1885.
1,446,547
969,271
137,032
1886
1,473,924
368,914
191,890
1887
1,819,337
426,047
77,246
1888
2,421,874
371,217
130,416
1889
2,150,657
528,475
281,249
1890
2,079,702
619,597
173,564
1891
2,365,895
583,956
164,844
1892
2,852,330
635,261
144,589
1893
2,703,673
500,968
203,506
613,144
1894
2,485,255
510,096
698,964
1,014,778
1895
2,620,768
582,618
669,078
1,097,164
1896
2.400,148
670,513
621,287
1,205,081
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446
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
The following table gives the population of Buffalo by the census of the State and the United States from 1810 to the present time:
Census.
Year.
Pop.
Census.
Year.
Pop.
United States
1810
1,508
State
1855
75,214
State
1814
1,060
United States
1860
81,126
United States
1820
2,095
State
1865
94,210
State
1825
5,141
United States
1870
117,714
United States
1830
8,623
State
1875
134,557
State
1835
15,661
United States
1880
155,134
United States
1840
18,213
United States
1890
255,664
State.
1845
29,773
State
1892
278,737
United States
1850
42,262
Police
1895
335,704
The City Directory of 1897 contains 112,000 names ; with multiple of three and one-half, which is the usual factor, the population would reach 392,000. At the close of the year 1897 the number is nearly 400,000.
The following table gives the population of Erie county in the years named according to the census returns:
Year.
Pop.
Year.
Pop.
1825
2,412
1860
81,129
1830
8,668
1870
117,714
1835
15,661
1880
155,134
1840
18,213
1885
202,803
1845
29,773
1890
255,664
1
1
1850
42,261
The preceding pages of this chapter tell the story of the greatness of Buffalo in all material respects and foreshadow a future of the bright- est promise. Nothing seems wanting to substantiate the often reite- rated claim of the city to commercial and manufacturing importance. Proofs of this have been published broadcast in recent years, until there has been danger at times of trespassing upon the well-trodden ground of unwarranted boasting. Our eyes and ears have been assailed with emphatic statements through the trumpet voice of the press and other- wise, that the Queen City must be acknowledged "sovereign of the in- land seas by right of location and commercial supremacy ; " that " Buf- falo is the fourth commercial city of the world; " that it is " the health- iest city in the world; " that it "is the best paved city in the world;" and that the introduction of Niagara Falls electric power at low cost to consumers is soon to make it the leading manufacturing center of the
447
FROM 1870 TO 1897.
country. Enough has been written in these pages to convince the reader of the falsity or truth of these claims. They are true in the main and, therefore, let us here insist upon their acceptance as facts before considering certain other aspects of the history of Buffalo and its standing among the greater cities of the country.
Is the Queen City among the foremost with respect to the average intelligence of the community as a whole? Is the city at large con- spicuous as a literary and art center? Are her religious and educational institutions liberally and efficiently supported ? Are her charities gen- erously and wisely administered? Are the working masses of the great community reasonably prosperous and contented?
A part of these pertinent inquiries must assuredly be answered in the affirmative; while those to which a negative reply would seem neces- sary are surrounded by ameliorating circumstances and changing con- ditions that give us ample encouragement for the near future. The organization of charitable institutions and the dispensation of aid to the unfortunate, for example, did not, until comparatively recent years, exist upon the high and comprehensive plane described in Chapter XXXIII. Such a system could only be of slow growth to meet new conditions, and that the requirements in this direction have been so effectually fulfilled is thoroughly creditable to the city. This represents only one of the many and varied influences under which the community is unceasingly moulded and advanced along the paths of high aspiration for improvement in the conditions of the social organism. Efforts will, of course, be most marked and of highest efficiency in a community where the average intelligence is high, where the ambition of the people as a whole rises above mere material affairs and inspires them to labor for better social conditions. These statements may ap- pear so self-evident as to be a waste of words to repeat them; but they are frequently lost to sight in the great strife and struggle of building a city the fame of which for prosperity and wealth is world-wide.
The population of Buffalo and Erie county towns comprises various nationalities, giving it a cosmopolitan character not found in many other counties. People of foreign nations have found homes here in such numbers that they distinctly leaven the whole community and materially affect its average character in all directions. Moreover, like all lakeports and active industrial centers, Buffalo has attracted classes of persons who, in the main, are worthy and useful, and yet whose presence tends inevitably to lower the general intellectual stand-
448
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
ard and the social tone of the community. As far as existing conditions are concerned it can, happily, be truthfully said that all classes of workers in the county of Erie are reasonably prosperous and happy, and it is a cause for still further congratulation that, aside from the beneficent influences of religious and educational institutions, the pres- ent favorable conditions among the masses are largely due to themselves ; they have grown wiser and calmer in judgment and action in recent years in all important matters affecting their own interests. It is not many years ago that in Buffalo there were a score or more of warring trades unions, over which two or three larger federations exer- cised uncertain authority. Effective concentration upon any definite purpose was impossible; important measures for their own improve- ment failed for want of unanimity; strikes took place and general progress seemed to be for the moment obstructed. Three years ago all the divided interests were amalgamated in the United Trades and Labor Council, in which almost every industry in the city is now repre- sented by a union or other trade association, creating a membership of more than 26,000 men. This great body of workers is led by men of integrity and more than average intelligence; their deliberations are conducted with dignity and their action is usually characterized by discretion and good judgment. They are a power for good in the community.
It is a fact that is clearly demonstrated in Chapter XXX that prior to about the middle of the present century the schools of Buffalo, as well as of other parts of Erie county, were not what they should have been at that period; the cause of education had suffered from apathy and neglect on the part of the people. Whether this was caused chiefly by the eager absorption of the leading spirits of the community in the struggle to selfishly advance their own and the material interests of the growing commercial center, or other causes, it is now difficult to determine; but the consequences, however, of such conditions were far reaching. The striking contrast between that period and the present one in this respect affords a subject for gratifying contemplation by all workers for the public good. These statements apply with equal force to early religious development. From the standpoint of the pres- ent day, the great advance in enlightenment and good citizenship could not be more forcibly demonstrated than by the stupendous changes that have been effected in recent years in these important fields of human progress.
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