Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1913.djvu/686

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UNITED STATES : — WEST VIRGINIA

WEST VIRGINIA.

F Government. — In 1862, after the state of Virginia, as a whole, had seceded from the Union, the electors of the western portion ratified an ordinance providing for the formation of a new State, and this new State was admitted into the Union in 1863 under the name of West Virginia.

The Legislature consists of the Senate and the House of Delegates. The right to vote is given to every citizen (Avith necessary exceptions) 21 years of age and resident in the State one year and in the county sixty days prior to the election. The Senate is composed of 30 members elected for a term of four years in such a manner that half the Senate is renewed biennially. The House of Delegates consists of 86 members elected biennially.

Governor.— Henry D. Hatfield, March 4, 1913— March 4, 1917 (5,000 dollars).

Secretary of /S7rt/;c.— Stuart F. Heed.

The State is represented in the Federal Congress by two Senators elected by the Legislature for 6 years, and five Representatives chosen for 2 years, for the election of whom the State is divided into five congressional districts.

For local administration the State is divided into 55 counties. The State Capital is Charleston.

Area, Population, Instruction.— Area, 24,715 s(|uare miles.

V ear

Population

Year

Population

Total

Per sq. mile

25-1 31-0

Total

Per sq. mile

1880 1890

618,457 672,794

1900 1910

958,800 1,221,119

38-9 50-8

In 1910 the population included 644,044 males and 577,075 females; 57,072 were of foreign birth ; 64,173 were negroes ; 36 Indians ; 90 Chinese, and 3 Japanese.

In 1900 the jtopulation by sex and race was : —

—

White

Negro

25,167 18,332

Asiatic 56

Indian

Total

Male Female

474,013 441,220

6 6

499,242 459,558

Total.

915,233

43,499

56 1

12

958,800

Of the total, 22,451 were born in foreign countries and of these 6,537 came from Germany, 3,342 from Ireland, 2,921 from Italy, and 2,622 from England. In 1910 the population of the principal cities was : Wheeling, 41,641 ; Parkersburg, 17,842; Charleston, 22,996; Huntington, 31,161.

The most numerous denominations are Methodists, Baptists, Ronjan Catho- lics, United Brethren and Presbyterians. Most of the denominations have colleges within the State. Elementary education is free for all from 6 to 21 years of age, and school attendance for 20 weeks annually is compulsory for all children between the ages of 8 and 14 years. The public or free schools are non-sectarian. A rigid code of moral instruction is enforced, but no