Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume I, Part 50

Author: White, Truman C
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: [Boston] : Boston History Co.
Number of Pages: 1014


USA > New York > Erie County > Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume I > Part 50


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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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


1


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1889


1


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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