The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1888-02-10

Or per acre, worth 81 to s9 cents
or about IS per acre, a difference OF
$I4 per acre and in corn the differ
ence was 8 or 9 dollars per acre. in
oats 6 and 7 and in barley 10 AMI II
dollars per acre difference in favor OF
Michigan.
This difference is to be accounted
for not only in the greater produc-
tiveness Of our soil, but in the acces-
sibiliiy and nearness of the grea,
markets Of the world and to the
cheapest made Of transportation
known 10 commerce.
Another quite important factor in
the prosperity of the laboring farmer
Is the fact that in this country he can
ind profitable employment during
the winter season, while on the west
ern prairles from the la,k Of timber
and manufacturing enterprises. he is
obliged to spend his time in enforced
inactivity.
While it is a fact that the manufac
turing interests of a country are a
very important part of its prosperity,
still all do not consider its importance
to the agricultural classes. This is
seen not oni, in its workings in the
State at large, but here at home, in
our own CO immunity. do we see the
great benefits which the farming class
has derived from the encouragement
of manufactures. Not only has this
beautiful city been built up almost
exclusively by means of her various
manufacturing industries, but not a
farmer for miles around but what has
felt It's beneficial influence more or
less. While our markets have been
made much better. the demand for
timber of all kinds has been made so
good that the man who has timber.
instead of burning it upon the ground
as was the practice years ago, can
now make his timber pay for clearing
his land and often have quite prof,
besides. The manufacturing interests
of the eastern states have long been
the chief source Of their wealth az d
prosperity but is not the time coming
when these interests will be trans
ferred to localities where the con
ditions are more favorable for their
continued prosperity?
AS the raw material, the timber,
the coal and mineral, OF those states
become exhausted what is so natural
as that they should seek olaces where
these things are more abundant, and
where will they be found in greater
profusion than within the borders OF
our State.
We have immense forests Of pine
and hardwood timber; we have ex
tensive mines OF iron, copper and
coal; we have a system of railroads
penetrating almost every county in
the Safe; with the best water trans
portation in the world; we have an
intelligent, sober and industrious
population; a climate healthful and
favorable TO active labor and it is en-
tirely safe to predict that in a very
short period of time Michigan will
take the front rank as a manufactur
ing State. l am we'll aware, Mr..
President, that census figures and
statistics are generally considered dry
reading, but as we can only judge Of
the future by the past and of the
prosperity of state by comparison
with those around it, trust that you
will bear with me a few moments
while l epdeavor TO show something
of the growth and prosperity of the
State and its standing, as compared
with other states of the Union. Ac.
cording TO The census of I84o, the
population OF the State of Michigan
was aIa,a67, at the census of 1884 1t
was I,Ss6,658 taking rank in popula-
tion from that of the a3d in the states
in IS4o, to that of 9th in 1880. From
1880 to 1884 the increase was over 3
per cent. In the year 1850 the whole
number Of farms in the State was a..
o89 in 1884 the number was Iso,6o5.
In 1850 The whole number Of manu-.
featuring establishments was 2,o33, in
1880 the number was 1873. In point
of rank or standing with other states
of the Union, Michigan in 1850 stood
Ist in the production of salt and iron
and produced more copper than all
the other states together; also in pro
duction Of lumber, having produced
lumber of the value of more than
twice that of any other state. ed
In total value of all minerals. sd. In
number of pounds of wool raised
Only the two great states Of California
and Ohio having produced more
pounds of wool 4th In number OF
sheep, only California, Ohio and
Texas having raised more sheep 4th.
In bushels of wheat raised, bushels of
potatoes. and OF buckwheat. sth. In
steam and water power used. 9th
In pounds Of butter made. 9TH. In
number of manufacturing establish
menis, in value of farm implements,
and in gross value of farms. 9th. In