Manufactures. Manufacturing affords employment to a larger number of wage-earners than any other industry in the State. The number in 1900 was 241,582, or 12.8 per cent. of the population. The percentage of people thus engaged has increased faster than the population itself, there being in 1850 only 7.7 per cent. connected with manufactures. The increase in the value of the product has been twice as rapid. From 1890 to 1900 but few States exceeded New Jersey either in the absolute or the percentage (72.5) of gain attained in the value of manufactured products. In the latter year this value was estimated at $611,748,000, placing the State sixth in rank. Prominent among the factors contributing to the development of manufactures are first, New Jersey's proximity to the large markets of New York and Philadelphia; secondly, its admirable transportation facilities; and lastly, its iron and clay resources and its proximity to the coal and other mineral fields of Pennsylvania.
The manufacture of textiles constitutes the most important group of industries. New Jersey ranks first in the production of silk and silk goods; and Paterson, the chief centre, is the largest silk manufacturing city in the United States. The industry was first established here in 1840, but it was not until the decade ending with 1870 that its great growth began. From 1890 to 1900 the value of the product increased nearly 30 per cent. Cottons, woolens, and worsteds are also produced, but in less quantities. The output of woolens suffered a decline from 1890 to 1900, while the output of worsteds increased more than threefold. The dyeing and finishing of textiles has assumed large proportions.
Another important group includes the manufacture of iron and steel and their products. The iron and steel industry began in Warren County at an early period, the supply of iron ore being secured in that locality. The value of products more than doubled during the decade 1890-1900. Of yet greater value are the products of the closely related foundry and machine-shop industry. During 1890-1900 the advantages of cheaper land and more efficient railway service brought hither a number of New York establishments. Newark, Paterson, and Elizabeth are the largest centres. The value of the electrical apparatus produced in 1900 was nearly eightfold greater than in 1890. The sewing-machine output increased in value 59 per cent. in the same period. In 1900 the State ranked fourth in the manufacture of jewelry, Newark being the chief centre.
The State's valuable beds of clay and sand have each given rise to an important industry. Brick clays are found in every section, but nearly all the rich clays are in Middlesex County, and fortunately close to the navigable coast waters or the Raritan River. Architectural clay products, sewer pipe, etc., are produced in this section in great abundance. Trenton has become famous for its pottery. The industry was begun here in 1852, but it was not until the Centennial Exhibition in 1876 that the superior quality of the product became known, and a wide market was opened for it. From 1890 to 1900 the value of the total clay product increased 73.1 per cent. The sand deposits in the southern part of the State are of a quality that makes them valuable in the manufacture of glass, and glass has been produced in that section since pre-Revolutionary times. The leather industry is centred largely in Newark. Elizabeth has one of the largest sewing-machine factories in the United States. Chemicals, liquors, and tobacco goods are all extensively produced and have each made large gains. The first two are most important in Newark, the last in Jersey City. Extensive oil-refining works are located at Bayonne, where the surrounding water of New York Bay is of sufficient depth to enable oceangoing vessels to load from the docks. The table on the following page explains itself.
Forests and Forest Products. The primeval forests, consisting mainly of hard woods, have been almost wholly removed, but there is considerable merchantable second-growth timber. In 1900 the woodland was estimated at 3234 square miles, or 43 per cent. of the State's area. The value of the timber cut did not show any marked tendencies to increase or decrease in the last half of the nineteenth century, the maximum value, $2,745,317, being attained in 1870. The value of the planing-mill products, etc., may be seen in the table on the following page.
Transportation and Commerce. New Jersey is well provided with transportation facilities. Railroads which approach New York City from the west or Philadelphia from the east necessarily traverse its territory. New Jersey, therefore, has a greater railroad mileage in proportion to its area than any other State. The mileage increased from 560 in 1860 to 2109 miles in 1890, and 2242 miles in 1900. The terminals of the lines centring in New York City are on the New Jersey side of the Hudson River. The canals of New Jersey were once its principal commercial channels. The Morris Canal, 101 miles long, from Jersey City to the Delaware River at Phillipsburg, has always transported vast quantities of coal from Pennsylvania to New York, and now belongs to the Lehigh Valley Railroad. It cost originally $14,000,000. The Delaware and Raritan Canal, from New Brunswick to Bordentown, 43 miles long, with a feeder to Trenton, 22 miles, was built in the early part of the nineteenth century at a cost of $3,935,287. It is under lease to the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Banks. In 1804 two banking companies were chartered by the Legislature, one to do business in Newark and the other in Trenton. A general banking law was passed in 1812 for the protection of depositors. This law remained in force till 1850. Reports were made obligatory, the total indebtedness and the rate of discount were limited. But the provisions of the law were avoided, and a number of speculating banks flooded the State with worthless paper. This condition of affairs and the suspension of specie payment in 1837 led to a reform in 1850. Another general banking law was passed. Under this statute the bank circulation had to be guaranteed by deposits of collateral security—bonds of States, etc. The limits of loans on real estate were strictly set and investigations of the banks made possible. In 1860 there were eight banks of issue. Besides these, there were a number of specially incorporated banks of discount and deposit. In 1859 the number was 36, but most of them availed themselves of the national banking law, and there were only five left in 1870. State banks became somewhat more popular toward the end of the century. They numbered 18 in 1902.
