LOCAL GOVERNMENT. The Legislature provides for the organization of cities and incor porated villages, and restricts their power of taxation assessment, borrowing money, contract ing debts, etc., "so as to prevent abuses. . . ." It divides all cities into three classes, according to size, and provides that all special legislation shall be submitted for the approval of the cities concerned, although they may be passed later over the city's veto. in the counties, the board of supervisors, elected by towns and wards of cities, have control of public buildings and the care of the poor, and they audit the accounts of county ()divers. The cities are governed under special charters, varying in their provisions.
Since 1848 married NVOIllell have had separate rights to real and personal property in New York State. They may carry on business, and may sue or be suol on their own account. A husband may convey directly to his wife, and a wife to her hus band. Absolute divorce is granted only for adul tery. Women may practice law. No youth under eighteen and no woman under twenty-one may be employed in a factory for more than 60 hours in one week, nor may any child under thirteen be so employed at all.
),In.yriA. In 1900 there were 1.639,395 men of militia age. The militia in 1901 numbered 14, 410.
Poert.ArioN. The population of the State by decades has been as follows: 1790. 310,120; BOO, 589.051: 1810, 959,019; 1820, 1.372.111: 1830, 1.916.608 ; 1840, 2.428.921: 1850. 3,097.394; 1860, 3.880.7:35: 1870, 4.382,759: 1880, 5.082.871; 1890. 5.997,853; 1900, 7,268.012. From fifth rank in 1790 the State advanced to first place in 1820, and has ever since hell this position. The larg
est absolute increase and the largest per cent. of increase after 1860 were witnessed from 1890 to 1900. In that decade the rate of increase was slightly greater than that for the United States, being 21.2 per cent., as against 20.7 per cent. The growth during that time, however, was wholly on the part of the urban population. In 1900 the 83 cities of the State with a population of over 4000 each contained together 71.2 per cent. of the total population, only two other States having a higher per cent. of urban popula tion. The large urban population accounts for the high average density per mile-152.6. This figure is exceeded in only three States.
The loeation of New York City. as the gateway to the large foreign immigration to the United States. has resulted in giving the metropolis an unusually large element. In 1900 the for eign born in the Stall' numbered 1.900. t25— nearly twice as many as in any other State. The striking characteristic of the foreign element in New York as compared with the country in gen eral is the prominence of the Irish. Jews. and The State contains nearly four times as many Irish as any other State except Massa chusetts: nearly three times as many Italians: and nearly as many Jews as all the rest of the country combined. Of the native white popu lation, those born of foreign parents numbered 2,415,845 in 190m. There were 99.232 negroes, 7170 Chinese, and 5257 Indians. The female sex slightly outnumbers the male.