RHODE ISLAND
537
RHODE ISLAND.
Constitution and Government.— The earliest settlers in the region which now forms the State of Rhode Island were colonists from Massachusetts who had been driven forth on account of their non-acceptance of the pre- vailing religious beliefs. The first of the settlements was made in 1636 ; and their numbers and importance quickly increased, settlers of every creed being Avelcomed. In 1647 a patent was granted for the government of the settle- ments, and on July 8, 1663, a charter was executed recognising the settlers as forming a body corporate and politic by the name of the English colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. On May 29, 1790, the State accepted the Federal Constitution and entered the Union as one of the 13 original States. The General Assembly consists of a Senate and a House of Representatives. The Senate has 38 members, besides the Governor who is ex-officio President, and the Lieutenant-Governor who is cx-officio a Senator. The House of Representatives consists of 100 members. Every male citizen, 21 years of age, who has resided in the State for 2 years, and is duly regis- tered, is qualified to vote for any State officer.
Governor.— Kx2cm J. Pothier, 1913-15 (3,000 dollars).
Secretary of State. — J, Fred Parker.
The State is represented in the Federal Congi'ess by 2 Senators and 2 Representatives.
The State is divided into 5 counties and 38 cities and towns. The State Capital is Providence.
Area, Population, Education.— Area 1,250 square miles, of which nearly 200 square miles is water.
Years
White 1
Negro
Total
Per sq. mile
1820 1860 1900 1905 1910
79,457 170,668 419,464 470,735 583,081
3,602 3,952 9,092 9,993 9,529
83,059 174.620 428,550 480,082 542,610
76-6 160-9 407-0 455-4 508-5
1 Including Indians and Asiatics.
In 1905 the populntion by sex and birth was : —
—
White
Negro
Asiatic
iLdian
Total
Male Female .
230,966 239,769
4,106 4,931
308 2
156 128
235,380 244,702
Total
470,735
9,993
310
284
480,082
In 1910 there were 270,359 males and 272,251 females. The foreign-born numbered 153,154, of whom 24,431 were English, 5,649 Scottish, 32,629 Irish, 7,931 English Canadian, 31,569 French Canadian,
