The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-18


years, Mr.. Mulhsll presents their simultsne.
Gus growth in wealth under very opposite
circumstances. The average wealth per in
habitant has been as follows:
Year. G. Britain. France. O. states.
isS................ sss sS %;
1ssO..- ........-.--. l Jos 1U5 GIG
1ss4...-..........-...... 1.249 1,O92 9Sl
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
so rapidly that though our capital has been
doubling every twenty years, the increase
per capita from 1870 to 1884 was
only SIS. France during the same
fourteen years increased her average
1880 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 unexampled prosperity as
shown by her increase of wealth? And he
answers: 81 am inclined to think 1t is due
to the increase of British shipping. British
banking and British colonial industries"
And be produces statistics in support of this
view. One item is that in 1881 the British
flag carried GO 900. 600 tons out of 100 600, 900
tons OF sea-borne merchandise, or nearly one
half. In fact, be says, the carrying trade of
the world is passing into British hands.
Mr.. Mulhall states, and statistics show,
that during the past fourteen years French
men have saved more per capita than En-.
glIshmen or Americans, and he adds: "This
is phenomenon deserving the study of
economists both in Europs and America"
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 o.the United States We
find country of unlimited resources and
great industry, yet the annual accumuls-
ticn is not much more than in the United
Kingdom. In fact, Ii Ireland were excluded
the savings of the British people would reach
f5 per head. precisely the same as in the
United States. This is at first dissppoint-
ing, for We ere naturally predisposed to im.
aging that there is in the United States more
sffiuence. 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 $44 a
head, notwithstanding the terrible devasta-
can not expect to see the savings exceed $25,
for the Americans seem less disposed to &C.
cumulate than en- Joy wealth."
Mr.. Mulhall next examines the accu mula.
tons of this country by divisions or groups
OF States. and says:
"The dicade ending with 1890 saw the ac-
At n Ne ~ FIN oil Md
die States decline more than half, while
those OF the Western States kept almost
uniform. In the whole term of thirty years
the Union has averaged little over 81 300,-
00O 900 yearly. of which exactly half CORE
spends to the Western States"
Comparing the annual accumulations of
the different groups of States per inhsbitant,
he finds in the decade 1850 so this results
New England, S26 for each inhabitant;
Middle States, $27; South, $37; West, $50.
For the decade $1,000: New England. SO;
Middle States, sS5; South, So; West, sal;
and upon this he 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 prairies, whereas in Eng
land the agricultural capital and farming
interests are every year diminishing. Poetic
WRITER'S ore III the naDlt Oh telllng US tn8t
agriculture Is the basis OF ail wealth-that
the pillow Is the emblem OF prosperity, but
these sentiments must be received cautious
ly. Is 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, aud mercantile
communities are the most prosperous and
enlightened"
And he concludes his article with these
interesting general observations:
"In 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
81, 600 600 richer at sunset than they were at
sunrise. The accumulations of Europe and
the United States make up Sll ,00e, 600 daily,
excess of births over deaths, is IL 200; so that
for every new conner into the world there is
an addition OF 81 ZOO, to provide for his ne
ceaities.
"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 steady increase of deposits
amounting to $1l0,000,000 annually, but ell
the appliances OF civilization are multiplied; ;
new harbors and lighthouses are con-
structed for 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 -
II these latter conclusions are true OF Eu-
rope, as there appears to be no doubt they
are, they are undoubtedly true in stili
larger degree in the Unitsd States.