Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-10-26
THE NATIONS WORKING POWER.
Energy of Various Countries Estimated in
Foot Tons-An Eng lishman's Tribute.

Energy of Various Countries Estimated in
Foot Tons-An Eng lishman's Tribute.
Among the many scientific papers read
at the recent meeting of the British asso-
citation in Bath, none possesses a higher
degree of interest than the brief mono
graph of Mr.. Michael G. Mulhall on the
"Growth of American Industries and
Wealth." 1t is all the more interesting
because it is the work of distinguished
English statistician, and so must be re-
garded as free from any blemish of pa
triotic exaggeration.
To look upon the picture which Mr..
Mulhall gives of the astonishing life,
wealth and energy of the United States
stirs the blood. In every one of the
three principal sources of power--man,
horse and steam-we greatly exceed the
leading nations of Europe, as will be
seen from this table of Mr.. Mulhall's,
showing the aggregate energy of the
principal nations in millions of foot tons
daily:
Countries Hand. Horse. Steam Total.
United States. ..8,4a $1,000 4s,4oO S9,45i
United Kingdom. $500 s,7O0 $4,000 ba,o5O
Germany. .693O 10000 1880 1920
An inspection of this table shows that
in round numbers the working power of
the United States is three times as great
as that of France, two and one-half times
as great as that of Germany, and one
and thirds times as great as that of
the united kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland. 1t is equal to that of the two
greatest of the older nations combined.
If there were any danger of the re-
public's putting forth its gigantic strength
in aggressive warfare, there would be a
panic terror among the powers across the
ocean, that hundred years ago beheld
its birth with indifference or contempt.
Moreover, as Mr.. Mulhall shows, the I'M
paralIeled growth of this country has
only begun:
"At present the increase of industry,
energy and wealth goes on undated.
The next census in 1890 will probably
show population of &c, 900, 900, with an
aggregate energy of almost 100, 900. 600,
900 of foot tons daily, and an accumulated
wealth of IA, 900, 900, 900 sterling, figures
never before applicable to any nation in
the world"
Uncle Sans boys are not given to
vainglorious boasting as much as they
used to be, and perhaps one reason is
that there is no need for them to boast.
A power like that which this republic
now possesses speaks for itself, and all
the world needs it. The moral force
emanating from such an enormous ag-
gregate Of physical energy is un-
measurable. There is not move.
ment for political enfranchisement
on the face of the globe that
does not feel itself strengthened by the
influence of the United States. 1t Is
glorious to be citizen of such coun.
try, infinitely more glorious than to have
been a Roman citizen at the height Of
the Roman renownl
Well, all this splendor of national de-
velopment, which the British men Of
science have just had displayed for their
admiration and wonder, the people OF
the United States have created for them.
selves, and they have created it by ex.
tending the same lines of progress which
their forefathers struck out century
ago.-New York Sun.