The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-01-12
Ohio Pr0tected,

Ohio is a State whose statistics are
prepared and preserved with more
than usual care and fidelity, and the
statistics for 1869 are just published.
A few deductions may be drawn from
them of national interest. Ohio is a
central State. One of the greatest
agricultural States. one of the richest
in natural resources, supplied as few
others are with railroad facilities,
and having both mining and manu-
features very fairly developed, this
State represents more nearly than any
other the Interests of the whole coun-
try, and 20 cause which has materi-
ally affected its prosperity in any
direction can have failed 70 affect the
welfare Of the country at large.
Ohio, under the present systel. of
taxation, which Der Senators and
Representatives have been very promi-
nent and influential in framing, has
enjoyed for about nine years all the
benefits aud has shared the burdens
of that system. In 1860, the total
value Of real and personal property in
Ohio was $892,850,084 and after nine
years. July, 1869, the total value was
$1,157, 600, 900 In currency then worth
Y cents on the dollar, or 1892, GAO, 600
IL gold. During nine years, then,
Ohio has been growing absolutely
poorer instead of richer. But during
the ten years preceding 1860, Ohio
more than doubled Ia wealth, as did
the whole country.
What is the cause of this decrease
IN wealth? Some cities have grown
rapidly and largely. Some branches
OF industry have been greatly deyel-
oped. 1t is said that the product of
the manufactures Of Cincinnati is
more than twice as great as it was in
1860, and the mining interest in other
parts of the State has grown largely.
There must have been a loss some
where, moro than balancing th is
gain. And, since these same inter
ests also gained in the same way, and
IN nearly the same degree from 1850
to 1860, the progress of these inter
ests has been little if any greater
than before, while In some other in
dustry there must have been a loss
not only a failure to increase, but .
positive loss, and a large one.
The statistics tell US just where it
was. In 1860, Ohio raised 23,640.000
bushels of wheat;i In 1868 only $780,
$50. In 1860 Ohio raised 81, $685. 04
bushels of corn, and in 1868 only &c.
725,228. OF live stock there were
100000 in 1860. and there are now
only 100000. OF other agricultural
products there has also been a de-
crease. VIII not some advocate of
protection tell US how it happens that
the growth Of manufactures has not
given that great home market to the
farmer Of Ohio which was promised?
How Is it that Ohio produces much
less cheese and butter, sorghum and
maple sugar than it did 10 1860? How
is it that, since the passage Of the
wool tariff, the number of sheep has
decreased by 1900, coo? How can ag-
riculture have been benefited, when,
In spite of the great increase of rail
roads, the cash value of farms In
Ohio, measured in gold, is only about
$86 against every 800 in 1860?
This is the industry which has been
losing. And it has lost more than all
others have gained, SO that the aggre-
gate value of properly In the State,
bonds included, is less than it was in
1860!-NissOuri Democrat.