Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 06.djvu/38

LOUISIANA The animals on farms and ranches in 1916 were: Horses 193,000, valued at $15,626,000 mules, 132,000, valued at $15,972,000; sheep, 185,000, valued at $426,000; milch cows, 271,000, valued at $10,027,000; and other cattle, 475,000, valued at $7,980,000.

Manufactures.—There were reported by the United States census in 1914 2,211 manufacturing establishments employing $261,635,000 in capital, 77,665 persons, paying $39,544,000 in wages and $157,886,000 for materials; and having finished products valued at $255,313,000. The principal manufactures were sugar and molasses, lumber and timber products, cottonseed oil and cake, foundry and machine shop products, and clothing.

Geology.—The underlying strata of the State are of Cretaceous formation, and are covered by alluvial deposits of Tertiary and post-Tertiary origin. A large part of Louisiana is the creation and product of the Mississippi River. It was originally covered by an arm of the sea, and has been built up by the silt carried down the valley by the great river.

Mineralogy.—The mineral resources of the State are imp e rfectly known and only partially developed. Brown coal is found in the northwest, iron in north Louisiana, and sulphur in south Louisiana. Salt is found on the five islands of the Gulf coast, and is of the purest quality. Other discoveries of salt have recently been made on the mainland. Salt is extensively mined on Avery's Island and at Belle Isle, and its output is extensive, and Louisiana also has become one of the leading oil-producing States. The production in 1919 was over 40,000,000 barrels. Limestone, gypsum, and marble occur in several localities. Louisiana is the principal State in the production of sulphur.

Banking.—In 1919 there were 32 National banks in operation, with $7,550,000 in capital, $4,372,000 in outstanding circulation, and $17,164,000 in United States bonds. There were also 222 State banks, with $17,042,000 capital, and $9,052,000 surplus. In the year ending Sept. 30, 1919, the exchanges at the United States clearing house at New Orleans aggregated $2,890,884,000; an increase over the previous year of $315,229,000.

Education.—In 1916 the school population was 538,119; the enrollment in public schools, 320,300, and the average daily attendance, 235,933. There were 4,157 teachers; public school property valued at $1,125,000; receipts for the year $1,126,112; and expenditures, $1,126,112.

Churches.—The strongest denominations in the State are the Roman Catholic; Regular Baptist, colored; Regular Baptist, South; Methodist Episcopal, South; African Methodist; Protestant Episcopal; and Presbyterian, South.

Railroads.—The total length of railroads in the State on January, 1918, was 5,358 miles. The Texas and Pacific has the longest mileage.

State Government.—The governor is elected for a term of four years. Legislative sessions are held biennially and are limited in length to 60 days each. There are 8 representatives in Congress under the new apportionment. The State government in 1920 was Democratic, as in previous years.

History.—Louisiana was colonized by the French in 1699, and was ceded in 1717 to a chartered company (one of the schemes of the notorious Law). In 1732 it was resumed by the crown; in 1763 ceded by France to Spain; in 1800 receded to France; and in 1803 purchased from France by the United States for $15,000,000. The territory comprehended in this purchase included the present State and all the country now occupied by Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Indian Territory, North and South Dakota, and the greater part of Minnesota. By the act of Congress of March 26, 1804, the territory was divided into two governments, that of Orleans including the present State of Louisiana, and that of Louisiana, including all the country N. and W. of it. On Feb. 11, 1811, an Act of Congress enabled the inhabitants to form a constitution and State government; and by a subsequent act, the territory of Orleans was admitted to the Union, under the title of the State of Louisiana, on April 30, 1812. The State seceded from the Union Jan. 25, 1861, and became the theater of important military operations during the ensuing Civil War. On July 13, 1868, Louisiana was readmitted to representation in the Federal Congress, and in 1877, the governments growing out of reconstruction ceased and stable government was resumed. With this resumption has come the era of progress, which is shown in the foregoing.  LOUISIANA PURCHASE, the territory purchased from France in 1803.  LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPOSITION, an exposition to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the purchase of Louisiana from France. It was held in St. Louis, Mo., from April to December, 1904. There were over five hundred buildings on the grounds 