The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-06-06
INDIANA-NO. q.

Sentinel has been to group certain facts re-
Iating to her resources and to their develop
ment calculated to attract attention and ex-
cite the pride and s.nbition OF her citizens
We have in the articles recently published,
of which this is the fourth of the series, re-
ferred to the agricultural interests of the
State, to her railroads. fore Is, mines, quar-
ries. manufactures. schools and Colleges, and
have shown, We think, quite conclusively
that our State. sll things considered, mas moth
ing TO fear by comparison with any other
State in the Union. The geographical posi-
ton of Indiana is favorable for development
1t is central. 1t is in the very heart Of the
great Republic. Her southern boundary is
the navigable Ohio River. At one point of
her northern boundry she touches Lake
Michigan. And thus she is in situation to
enjoy all the benefits which in future may
be derived from transportation by the great
water highways of the continent. The great
artificial highways of travel and transporta-
ton east and west north of the Ohio River,
must cross her territory, sffording unsurpass-
ed facilities of communication with the great
centers of population and commerce of the
world. In these regards nothing is to be
asked for that nature andenterprise have not
or will not bestow. We are quite willing to
test the spirit of enterprise, progress and en-
lightenment in any department. of human
activities by such standards as are accepted
rs just by other States, for, considering her
wealth, population and area, Indiana is to-
day abreast of the foremost, and her citizens
have right to be proud OF her position.
Her laws are as wise, her Courts as
just, and her lawyers as profound
as other States can boast. Her physicians
are as learned and the death-rste is as low
as that of her sister States, under the same
climatic influences. Her Churches are as
numerous and her clergymen as pious and
devoted to their calling as other States can
boast, and if, with all this, the question is
asked as to the type of our civilization, we
point to the Benevolent Institutions of the
State with exultant pride. The people of
Indiana are mindful of the unfortunate of
the State, and are constantly putting their
hands into their pockets to pay every needful
expense for the mitigation of their affections,
and as the State grows in wealth, there is
manifested a purpose to increase the facili-
ties required to alleviate such visitations of
wretchedness as properly come within the
limits of State benevolence. The State
builds magnificent Asylums for the Insane,
the deaf and dumb and for the blind, and
pays moro than 100000 year for the sup
port of their inmates. Besides, the Asylum
for Feeble-Minded Children receives con-
tribation Of $4,000 a year from the State,
the Soldiers and Orphans Ho me $4,000
year-a total contribution of more than $780,
000 annually. Such fgures-2nd the sum to-
tai could be increased equire enlargement
to magnify their convincing force or to show
that the spirit of benevolence is vital in In.
diana, and that the people are alive to the
high obligations of the civilization of the
age.
In the department of journalism statistics
show there are published in the State fifty
four daily papers and go weeklies, besides
number of semi and tri-weekly papers. and
about twenty monthlies and semi monthlies.
/ If we estimate the average circulation of the
| weeklies at 900, and the average circulation
OF the dallies at Loo, We have an aggregate
and taking the average subscription
price at two-and-a-half cents per copy,
it shows that Indiana pays more
than 81, 600 900 a year for the support of her
daily and weekly press.
1t has not hitherto been found practicable
to arrive at absolute accuracy in obtaining
strtistics of the wealth and resources OF the
| State. Approximations are all that can be
secured, and we are satisfied from investiga-
tons of the reports OF the various Bureaus,
that the figures relating to wealth and re-
sources are below rather than above the real
facts. The report of the Agricultural Bu-
reau, soon to be issued, will afford the people
many DEMONSTRATING to the agricultural wealth
of the State, well calculated to attract
attention. Alexander Heron, ESQ.,, Secre-
tary of the State Board OF Agricul ture, has
made a new departure in statistical matters
deserving the highest commentator. Hith-
erto the people have had their ate ntion
called specially to the large items, to cerea Is,
live stock ETC., and the small things which
in the aggregate swell to millions have been
overlooked. In estimating the productions
of field and farm home consumption has
been almost, if not quite, overlooked. Mr..
Heron in his forthcoming report, soon to
be ready for distribution, has at great
labor obtained sum totals of items,
which bring into deserved promi-
nence matters hitherto regarded as
of little importance, but which, if other
States adopt the praiseworthy example set
by the Secretary of the Indiana Board of
Agriculture, will date new era in sgricul-
tural statistics. Mr.. Heron estimates the
annual gross product of the State for the
items named at $27s 964, $50, as follows:
f0Oo<<
Hay and d. 06i
Tobacco, fax. hemp and hops............ 1,16s sos
Molesses, cider, vinegar, honey and bees 769S 23
E-ts ffc orenh nrr