The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1881-01-11
THE YEAk 8

Of the United States have ever known. The
great excess of the value of the exports Of the
country over its imports has placed nearly
S'50, U00,0 900 to the credit side of its ledger
This vast sum thrown into the business of the
country stimulated and carried to successful
issues nearly all the large enterprises ct the
country. While q number of failures have
occurred, they have not been so numerous
nor for sAch large amounts AS for the cores
ponding length of time of preceding years"
For the nine months ending Sept. seth last
there were only 3,476 failures, against $500
tor the same time in 1879. and the liabilities
were only S45, 0l0, 1856, against $Sl ,054 $40 in
the nine months OF 1879. The aggregate of
the liabilities of the corresponding period of
1878 was $l97, 100000. From data at hand it
is estimated that the liabilities of bankrupts
for the year 1850 will not exceed $G2, O00, 600,
which is less than half of the preceding year.
This Is certainly a very tiattering showing for
the business of the country. While the
largely paying Investments in mining proper
ty throughout the country have had much to
do i'll enhancing its prosperity, our agricul-
tural interests have been the main factor in
producing it. Commissioner LIE Due pre-
scented a report to congress the other day
showing the value of our agricultural product
for the year 1880 to be S., DOC, 0OO, 1000, and the
value of the same exported for the fiscal year
ending June 30th ult. amounted to STAG $685.
952. Short crops in foreign countries, and a
large surplus in the United States to meet the
demand, have placed the country, financially,
the world.
As a result of this condition Of affairs
money is cheaper To-day in the markets of the
east than ever before known in the history of
the country. News was received at Wash
ington lot long since that the $400, 000, 600
Of three per cent, bonds that under the pend
ing funding bill before congress is contem-
plated being issued can be Immediately taken
at par. While there is a large amount of idle
capital ready to absorb these bonds, there is
still a larger amount seeking investment in
railroads.. Tie Northern Pacific r. L.. Co.
found but little difficulty in raising $4O,O0O,-
900 to complete its road. The Southern Pa
ciic is being built at the rate of a mile per
day, and the Canada Pacific has received new
life and vioor on account of the immense
sums Of money laying unemployed in the
hands of speculative men who are seeking
opportunities for investments wherever there
may be a reasonable hope for paying divi-
dends. 1t will thus appear that the year 1880
| has hpen fr,it fnl Of financial ,no,cco ,-i
it is fair to presume the opening year will
carry with it a continuance of those successes
that have made the country the envy and
wonder of the world.
During the year our relations with foreign
countries have been on the most friendly
footing without a spcck Of war to be seen al
present in the distant horizon. Immigrants
have been focking to our shores monthly by
the tens of thousands. The waste places in
our western borders have been rapidly filled
up by a hardy, industrious and enterpris.ng
class of people. New and varied enterprises
have sprung up all around US and are being
prosecuted intelligently with plenty of capital
to back them.
o"A " 'liipoi VIC HdSC every TttSOI
to remember the past year. Two railroads
made their ajvent into the territory and
turned the footsteps of thousands towards us.
Our agricultural, stock-raising and mineral
resources received an impetus from the pres
ence of the strangers who came among us to
find homes, that will soon carry them to a
point of development hardly anticipated.
During the year tie assessable property of the
territory has increased over So, 900, 900 over
that of the preceding year, towards which
amount Butte may be credited for 81, 200, GOO
of the gain. Iii the improvement and ad
vancement made in our city during the pas,
year, we may well feel proud. From a stray
Cling little village OF a few years ago, il has
become the largest city in the territory. Much
of its substantial growth has been attained
during the past year. Fine business blocks
commodious churches, and handsome private
residences have been completed that add to
the beauty and wealth of the place. Among
the numerous magnificent enterprises in on
vicinity that have been projected and com,
pleted within the past year is the erection by
the Alice company of the largest dry crushing
mill in the world. This event alone mark.
a memorable era in the history of Butte. A
l the close of the present year we hope to re
cord still greater achievements of our coun
3 try, our territory and our city. Progress il
the watchword of our people, and we can Sc,
nothing IN the future to arrest them in thei
l onward march.
Ii we are RIGHTLY informed the territOria