Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-10-16
TO THE PEOPLE OF MISSOURI.
M QN

(No. 81
In my 7th number, pointed out the routes
for rail roads, which in my opinion, are de.
manded to facilitate the general interest Of tie
greatest number Of people, in obtaining "cer>
tain" SPEEDY" "chcap' and 'safe' Transport
talion. In my eighth, gave some suggestions
as to how the means could be raised to make
them, and also gave it as my opinion that the
State eren no,r, was in a condition to cause
these roads 10 be vigorously undertaken and
completed, as fast as prudence advised the prose-
cution OF such an extensive work; and on this
latter subject, propose in this number to speak
more fully. 1t is a rule OF common sense,
which ought seldom 10 be departed from, either
by governments, people, or individuals. that in
undertaking contracts, which require large expen.
ditures, they should not too far exceed their
own means; and, therefore, as supposed these
roads would cost about IS millions Of dollars,
it becomes me to show as near as may be, the
capital, or means, in other words, the wealh
Of the State or the people in it; that by this all
reasonable minds may be able to judge Of the
probability Of my declarations, as to our ability
to begin and complete such a work.
Before enter on this part OF my subject, let
me most respectfully ask my lellow.ctizens TO
consider las they emphatically are) that these
roads are designed expressly for each Of their
benefits. and will, the moment they are finished,
add 10 the wealth Of the State more than FIVE
dollare in value for one laid out; and OF course,
that each Of her citizens will share and share
alike, according 10 his present position in the
State. the benefit Of these Improvements. In.
deed, hope no man will be so blind as 10
suppose that they are not expressly made for
his o,cn individual benefit. Keeping this view
OF the case in mind, let us proceed. as near as
we cam 10 calculate the wealth Of the people
OF the State; in other words, their means, so as
to see whether they have the capital that will
justify their undertaking so large as we'll as so
necessary work. 10 attempting to ascertain
this, have sought for all official statistical
information within my reach; which. however, |
am bound 10 remark. is not so full as could be
desired am, therefore. compelled to resort, in
my present calculation, to sources Of Information
less authentic; but yet. l have taken special
care that my calculation is under, rather than
over the true amount.
have found. in the census OF 1S40 taken by
the U. S., that valuing the property, their list,
as belonging to the people, at a lou present value,
it would amount 10 % millions Of dollars, and
that there was over millions employed in mer
camille operations. and ever millions OF dol.
lars vested in manufactures, making the per.
sonal wealth in iron, lead and other metals. coal
disposed Of horses, mules, cattle. sheep, hogs,
wheat, rye, barley, oats, corn, potatoes, hay,
hemp and fax, tobacco, fruit, tar, skins, lumber,
whskey, &c., equal to 80 millions of dollars.
Our population was then 1888 thousand souls
In 1874, by our State census, our population
was over $40 thousand souls Surprising the
population to have increased half as fast since
1914, as it did between 40 and A. our popu
lation is now al least 600 thousand souls. Thi.
is an increase Of over 60 per cent. in years
But not 10 exceed, but rather be under the true
amount, let US put it at so per cent increase
on the census Of 40, which viii make our pres
ent population over $50 thousand. Supposins
then, the new population 10 average in wealtl
with those here in 1910, were the census to b.
taken now as it was in 1910, the property
before named in the State would now amour
to 48, but put it down at 40 millions OF dollars
The census of 1910 omitted many kinds o
property owned by the people, which neverthe
less adds to their wealth; and one item which
must not be overlooked, not taken in view, wa:
their property out Of the Stale, as well as money
) on hand, and their farming utensils, household
furniture, &C., which ] put down at 20 million:
OF dollars.
have also attempted 10 ascertain how much
land is owned in the State by private individ
: uals. ] have no! been able to lay my hand or
any later official statement than the Both o.
June 1928. at which period there had been dis
posed Of by the U. States. in private confima
lion Of titles, sales, and other modes OF plscins