The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-01-21


circumstances. The average wealth per in
habitant has been as follows:
Year. &. Britain. France. Q. states.
IoOv................... SAG ab 3No
lelv'.'''''.'.-..s...-'-. 'lOS soS Si0
1co4.......-........... 4IL4S LUZ S5l
These figures show that since 1850 France
has made the greatest gain, but her popula-
ton has grown only per cent, while that
OF Great Britain has increased So per cent,
and that of the United States has increased
30 rapidly that though our capital hes been
doubling every twenty years, the increase
per capita from 1870 to 1884 was
only So. France during the same
fourteen years increased her average
$3.50 per capita. During these fourteen years.
when SO much has been heard Of trade de-
preston, falling prices and commercial loss
in Great Britain, says Mr.. Mulhall, how are
we to explain her unexampied prosperity as
shown by her increase of wealth? And he
answers: 81 am inclined to think 1t is due
10 the increase Of British shipping, British
banking and British colonial industries"
And he produces statistics In support of this
view. One item is that in 1851 the British
flag carried So 900. GOO tons out of 129, 900 900
tons of sea-borne merchandise, or nearly one
half. In fact, he says, the carrying trade of
the world is passing into British hands.
Mr.. MulhalI states, and statistics show,
that during the past fourteen years French
men have saved more per capita than En-
gllshmen or Americans, and be adds; "This
is phenomenon deserving the study of
hakh IN ~
But he does not attempt to explain it,
though he adduces the greatest increase in
the price of lands and Of railway invest
ments in France as forming important ele-
ments in that increase. He continues:
when we turn to the United States we
find country Of unlimited resources and
great industry, yet the annual eccumulA-
ton is not much more than in the United
Kingdom. In fact, If Ireland were excluded,
the savings of the British people woul reach
50 per head, precisely the same as in the
United States. This is at first disappoint-
ing, for we are naturally predisposed to i'm
aging that there is in the United States more
effiuence, greater margin over the cost OF
living, than in the crowded island of Great
Britain. 1t is true that from 1850 to 1870
the yearly accumulation averaged S44 a
head, notwithstanding the terrible devasta-
ton caused by the war. Bot in future We
can not expect to see the savings exceed $25,
for the Americans seem less disposed TO &C
cumulate than TO enjoy wealth"
Mr.. Mulhall next examines the accumula-
tons of this country by divisions or groups
of States. and says:
THE dicsde ending with 1880 saw the &C
cunulstions of the New England and Mid
die States decline more than half while
fhnqo NJ WpqfoYn States
uniform. In the whole term OF thirty years
the Union has averaged little over 81 300,-
000 900 yearly, of which exactly half CORE
spends to the Western States"
Comparing the annual accommodations of
the different groups of States per inhsbitant,
he finds in the decade $4,000 this result:
New England, $26 for each inhsbitsnt;
Middle States, $27; South, $37; West, $62.
For the decade 1s7OsO: New England. $40;
Middle States, $780, South, &C. West, sal;
and upon this be remarks:
Here We see the reverse Of what is taking
place in England the wealth OF the country,
or at least the accumulation, is tending
Westward to the prsiries, whereas in Eng
and the agricultural capital and farming
interests are every year diminishing. Poetic
writer's are in the habit of telling US that
agricul ture is the basis Of all wealth-thet
the pillow is the emblem of prosperity, but
these sentiments must be received cautious
~. II would seem 10 be the interest Of every
nation, and of mankind, that the agricul-
tural or pastoral element should not pre-
dominate, but rather the commercial Mer-
| chants are the best statesmen, and mercantile
communities are the most prosperous and
| enlightened"
And he concludes his article with these
! interesting general observations
sin the meantime the accumulation OF
wealth goes on from day to day. The Ameri-
| can adds cents daily to the public fortune,
which means the United States are nearly
! 100000 richer at sunset than they were at
| sunrise. The Accommodations of Europe aud
( the United States make up 81, O09. 900 daily,
! and the increase of population, that is, the
! excess of births over deaths is II 600; so that
| for every new conner into the world there is
an addition of $4,000, to provide for his ne
! CT ssities.
"As natural result OF the increase of the
wealth, the material condition of nations is
/ Improving; not only is the average con-
sumption OF meat, coffee, tea, sugar, etc.,
rising all over Europe; not only are gas and
water supply extended to minor towns and
villages; not only do the Savings banks of
Europe show a steady increase OF deposits
amounting to $l10, 100000 annually, but all
! the appliances of civilization are multiplied;
new harbors snd lighthouses are con.
structed Tor the common benefit OF man.
kind; as IL nations in becoming richer, also
| become more generous more mindful OF the
golden precept, Let no man live for him.
SELF T"
II these latter conclusions are true of Eu-
rope, as there appears to be no doubt they
are, they are undoubtedly true in still
| larger degree in the Unitsd States.