Special Consular Reports Volume 26-32 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1903 Excerpt: ...emigrants from Ireland during the last one hundred years have gone to the United States. Of the emigrants leaving Ireland in 1902 there were 3,478 under 15 years of age, 5,897 between 15 and 20 years of age, 16,611 between 20 and 25 years of age, and 7,775 between 25 and 30 years of age, or a total of 33,761 out of 40,190 emigrants who were under 30 years of age. OCCUPATION OF EMIGRANTS. Of the 18,893 male emigrants in 1902, there were 14,235 reported as "laborers," while of the 21,508 females 15,959 are reported as "servants." Of the male emigrants 10.3 per cent were reported as married or widowers and of the females 13.7 per cent were so reported. It will be seen from these figures that a very large proportion of the emigrants are practically unskilled laborers who are in the prime of life. As over three-fourths of the total population of Ireland are Catholics, it is probable that the same proportion at Jeast of the emigrants are Catholics. CHARACTER OF EMIGRANTS. Generally speaking, those emigrants from Ireland who go to the United States are a very intelligent and sober people of a high moral character. They are, as a rule, law abiding and are capable of becoming excellent citizens, as they all seem to have a great love for the United States. Being drawn principally from the agricultural classes, they do not, as a rule, belong to any trade unions, although those who have trades usually belong to some trade society. One of the characteristics of Irishmen is their strong conservatism. EFFORT TO STOP EMIGRATION. The more thoughtful people in Ireland are beginning to realize that from an Irish point of view emigration is most deplorable. Those leaving Ireland are the bone and sinew of the country and their emigration means a lower marria...