Conjugal Condition of the Retired: By Sex, Native and Foreign Born, and

It must be borne in mind in considering these figures, that the term "single" includes widows and widowers, as well as those who have never been married; while the term "married" comprehends also those males and females who have been divorced.

Of the retired males (28,121), there were 9,627, or 34.23 per cent, single, and 18,493, or 65.76 per cent, married; the corresponding figures for retired females are 15,839, or 89.69 per cent, single, and 1,818, or 10.30 per cent, married.

Considering age periods and combining the sexes, we find that 8,280, or 18.09 per cent, were 20 but under 60 years of age, while 37,500, or 81.91 per cent, were 60 years of age or over.

Whether the principles advanced by Benjamin Franklin in his life and writings as regards industry and thrift have been fully carried out by the inhabitants of the Commonwealth, the figures hereinbefore presented, being the resultant of conformity with his practical ideas, must remain a matter of conjecture, for no accurate data can be secured to decisively determine the point. One thing is certain; broad as was his philosophy, and farseeing as was his patriotic vision, he never could have anticipated that within 110 years after his death the composition of the body politic in his native State and city would so change, and become so cosmopolitan in its nature that 62.26 per cent of the inhabitants of the Commonwealth, and 72.21 per cent of the citizens in the town in which he was born, would be of foreign descent.

DEPENDENTS UPON PUBLIC OR PRIVATE CHARITY.

In the preceding article we have shown the number of persons who have retired with a competency, that is, with enough money, in their opinions, to provide for their wants during their lives. We now have the reverse of this picture, comprehending those who have been unfortunate in a financial way, and are forced to depend for their support, either partially or wholly, upon public or private charity. In what respect their condition is due to their own fault or to circumstances which they could not control cannot be determined, but it is fair to assume that personal shortcomings and unsatisfactory industrial conditions are each responsible.

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The term "Dependent" was defined, in the instructions given to the Special Agents of the Bureau who conducted the investigation, as follows: Dependent comprises those persons who may have worked all their lives, but are now unable to support themselves, and being non-productive, are dependent to a more or less degree upon their children or relatives; the name of the occupation last followed must be stated." To those who may be called "Home Dependents" we have added those supported in the various charitable institutions provided by the towns and the Commonwealth.

We present a table showing the occupations followed by the dependents previous to their being obliged to rely upon charity. It does not, of course, follow that these occupations are directly responsible for the state of dependency of those who have followed them. The physical condition, caused in many cases by exacting toil or overwork, is often more responsible for the state of dependency than the occupation itself. Many men are obliged, from force of circumstances, to engage in occupations for which they are not physically fitted, and they break down under the rigorous demands or constant strain.

Of the whole number, 23,859, there were 11,081, or 46.44 per cent, males, and 12,778, or 53.56 per cent, females. It will be noted that for 11,686, or 48.98 per cent, no occupations were reported. The greater number of these were in public institutions, and the agents were not able to interview each inmate and ascertain the occupation followed by him or her prior to dependency.

Considering the male dependents, we find the largest class to be the unskilled laborers, numbering 1,308; the boot and shoe industry supplies 524; the building trades, 491; the farmers, 478, to which should be added the farm laborers, aggregating 679; next follow, in numerical prominence, the army, 277; carriers on roads, 212; carriers on seas and rivers, 187; metal workers, 182; cotton goods operatives, 179; merchants and dealers,