The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1872-12-09
Our Protected Beef-Eatsrs.

The late Prince Albert knew the value
OF statistics Hardly speech of his but
testihes 10 the high value he placed on
this science. His estimate of its import
uuce amounted 10 this that, in his view
a perfect knowledge Of statistical facts Is
the foundation of all good and equitable
rule, and without it government is crop
ing in the dark We who have no one Of
the Prince ConsOrts influence 10 preach
up statistics among us are lamentably
cropping In the dark. We fail to find rulers
who will apply even what we incontestably
know But let us open the book of facts
that are within our reach and show what
can be learned from il. The census re-
turns for 1870 reveal some curious facts
about the comparative increase OF popula.
ton and wealth for three decades Let US
take the most prosperous of those States
in the West whose business is agriculture.
Undoubtedly it is Illinois. BY reason of
her products she cannot share in the class
legislation Of Protection And let us com.
pare Illinois with Massachusetts,, which
has her beings end and aim in home Pro-
lection. The contrast is notable, and
shows that while the Western State has
made marvellous progress in population IL
Is the Eastern State that accumulates
wealth.
The decade of lS5O-6O was period of
low tariff During the ten years the in
crease ct population and wealth in the
two States, Massachusetts and Illinois,
was as follows
Massachusetts. Illinois.
Population. 1850. ..... wash Nlt 40
Wealth. is5o -, s57a.gisss sia.s65 6CS
Population. is6O .... t.s8iOB I,7tiq5f
Wealth 1870 ..-... $sia ss5, tsa Ss7l, $50 ss2
Increase Of population during the decade
OF ls5O-6O in Massachusetts,, within a
fraction of "a per cent
Increase of wealth in Massachusetts,
during the decade Of 1S50-6O, within a
fraction of i2l per cent
Increase of population in Illinois during
the decade of lSjO-6O, within a fraction
of - per cent
Increase Of wealth in Illinois during the
decade of lSjO-6O. within fraction Of ASS
per cent
Let Us now turn To the decade of 1860
IO-ten years of Protection During this
time the woolens Of Massachusetts were
protected in an average Of 50 IN 30 per
cent, cottons 80 per cent. leather goods
30 per cent, aud everything else manu-
featured in Massachusetts from IS per
cent to ~ per cent Illinois not being a
manufacturing State has no other re-
sources, natural or adventurous, than she
had during lSjO-lSGO. Compare the in
crease of population and wealth during
the last decade
Massachusetts Illinois.
wjga lis'o9 5 SOD sslq es az, i 81 ss
Wealth, 1850, sa,lssiG7i sa.iai,sso SO
Increase Of population in Massachusetts, dur.
ING decade ise6-is7O within fraction Of isH per
cent ~ -
increase Of wealth in Massachusetts during
per cent
Increase Of population In Tiinoi. during the de.
cadr Of iSi-IO, little over ~ per cent
increase Of wealth In Illinois during the de.
cent.
But If we SO a step further in these
statistics we tind the most remarkable re-
suit In the increase of wealth per capita in
the two States, which can best be seen by
the following table.
v,..,,. -..---,.- ,... Massachusetts. nlinoi.
Wealth. per capita iStD. .... Gf2 a. 5yq b
wealth per capita 1870 ...... 1880 1854
decade 1850 60. ............. I5i.u.c 225Bc
Increase, per capita, during
decade lsttl-I U,,............ 12tpc Ggpc
These statistics speak loudly We
clearly see that the class legislation tells
on the money Golfers of Massachusetts,.
But notwithstanding her cheap lands, her
fertile soil, her productions, and the in
crease of her population, Illinois must pay
toll 20 Massachusetts. And if it we're not
tor statistics the great Western States
would actually labor under the delusion
that she has outstripped in material wealth
the very State that has the knack Of max.
ing drudge OF her.-N. y World