Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1871-02-28
Something About our Condition as a
Nation.

and production of the country for tn,
year 1870 are interesting. During
the year the population has increased
one million. One-fourth of this in
crease results, from immigration ant
the balance is the increase of BIRTH
over deaths
Despite the severe drouth tina
prevailed over portion of the coun
try, our agricultural has been pro
ductive in quantity of more than al
average crop. The south produced
four millions of bales of cotton, ovel
three millions in 1860; and though
on account of the war in Europe anC
also many other causes, the price OBJ
tanned has been only fifteen cents {
pound, while the crop of the previ
Gus year brought from twenty tC
twenty-three cents, yet the gros:
amount received for each crop il
about the same for both the years.
We grew a large crop of Indian
corn in 1870. The Agricultural Bu-
reau estimates it, on the reports il
has received from every State, al
eleven hundred million bushels
averaging twenty-eight bushels pei
acre, against twenty-three bushels
per acre last year. Estimate this
crop as worth fifty cents per bushcl
to the growers, and its total value is
five hundred and fifty millions Of
dollars whereas the cotton crop
estimating the bales at four hundred
pounds each, and the planters price
at fourteen cents per pound, will
bring but two hundred and twenty.
tour millions-considerably less than
half the value of the corn crop. The
corn crop is between two and three
hundred millions more than that OF
1869.
The product of gold and silver in
1870, was abont sixty millions OF
dollars in value, and notwithstand-
ing large expectations, it is estimated
that there are thirty millions more
of coin in the country to-day than
one year ago. To this fact may be
attributed in some degree the fall in
gold from twenty to aboCtten per
cent. premium, though the improved
condition in our financial ability, the
treasury balance Of gold that is some
thing of q threat TO spectators and
the continual development of other
resources, are other important infu-
ences contributing to the result. On
account Of the difference.in value be-
tween the nominal paper dollar and
the real dollar, this specie does not
enter into circulation, and the trade
of the country does not feel its ex-
banding influence. 1t has become a
staple commodity, to be bought and
sold like grain or cotton, end is hoard
ed, stored and exported almost en-
tirely for their uses.
Railroads have been constructed
with great rapidity. Ten thousand
miles of road have probably been
built during they year, at a cost OF
not less than three hundred millions
of dollars. The difficulty of obtain
ing foreign capital that has gone so
largely into the construction of our
roads, will probably operate to les
sen the number of miles to be built
the present year. Much of this cap
ital will be kept at home, where, on
account Of the war and its CONNER
cial results, money may be used at
more profitable rates than formerly.
1t is estimated that the number Of
houses built in cities during year is
one hundred thousand, at an estimated
average cost of five thousand dollars
each, aud an aggregate of five hun
dred millions of dollars. This does
not include the buildings on farms
and in the rural districts, which
probably will make the number at
least as many more.
Altogether there has been growth
and progress, and when reduction
Of the taxes shall enlarge the capa-
city of the people to improve the
great natural advantages of the
country that the people are blessed
in owning, there will be presented
the spectacle of prosperous people
such as the world will envy and ad-
mire, the willing subjects of gov
eminent that will be the model OF
the nations Of the earth.-H. Paul
Pioneer.