The Somerset reporter., 1891-12-31
Tho Completed Year.

To-day Is the three hundred anu slNlS-
nth Of the year 1891 and tomorrow we
begin the new year. The year just com
pleied to-day has been an eyentfu one 10
greater degree than many
While no event OF trsnseudent import
has come upon our own country while
peace has prevailed III our mud and pros
perity hiss been general With bonniiful
harvest, and Ito great calamity has befal-
len ANY section of our fair land, other na.
lions and countries have not been thus
favored.
N..r and pestIlence have not been com
mn hut in some countries there have
been disturbances amounting 10 blood
-hel, as IN some provinces OF Chlna snd
successful revolution involving changes
IN government In Chill and Bra1l.
Famine in Russia and short crop OF
breadstufs In several other European
countries has led to an ezra market for
the unparalleled surplus Of the cerels oil
this country a. well g. increased the tx
Harvest in al parts OF our country have
been magnificent and were generally sc
cure n prime order. Most lines OF man
Hfacturts nave been well sustained and
m some sections materially increased.
Commerce has been stimulated 10y our
large crops as well rs favorable recipro-
cal treaties which give our products ad-
vantage In many markets above those Of
other countries and by the action of the
last Congress in the direction Of encour-
agement to steamship lines between our
Ports and those of South and Central
America.
The finances of the country have stood
the test OF foreign disturbances that
wrecked a great English house and the
failure of banks and other monied insti-
tutions csuse no serious panic, thus show
ing that while there may be sore spots
the great body is healthy, aud the system
sound one
The Congress just assembled is likely
to enact no laws that will disturb finances
or the business interests Of the country
and taking it all In all, the outlook of our
country was never brighter than II is as
the year Of lsi2 is about to dawn upon us
The fire fend has been unusually busy
during the year 1891 and Are insurance
companies have suffered greater loss than
for many years. There have been no
overwhelming conllagations like the Chi.
cago or Boston fires or even like that at
Portland twenty 1--WE years ago, but there
have been large number of fires
aud many OF them have caused large DIES
truction Of valuable property, so that on
an average 1t is estimated the loss and
| expense accounts will exceed the income
Of the companies for the year.
In Maine the fire loss of companies to
premiums received is estimated by insur-
ance adjusters to be about 10 per cent
but this cannot be known until the re
ports of the companies are received by the
commissioner and given to the public
early in February.
Somerset county suffered out Of pro
portion to other parts of the State from
fires. The pulp mill at Shawmut, the des-
truction OF 50 buildings in North New
Portland, the Creighton steam saw mill
at Madison, Smiths steam saw mill at
Norridgewock and Hill Bros, wood
working mill at Main Stream, Harmony,
and Greenleaf's mill and other buildings
In Mercer beside other smaller fires max
ing the loss in Somerset County aggre-
gate more perhaps than ever before in
one year.
Maine crops, Maine industries and
Maine business generally have been fair
ly well sustained although lumber and ice
suffered in comparison with some former
years. New industries are being eslah-
lished In some places A few places
among which are Livermore Falls, Madi
son, Newport, Rumford and Old Town
are booming but as whole Maine has
not very much more than held its own, in
manufacturing industries.
What the new year has In store for Us
no one knows. One thing Is reasonabl,
sure, VIZ, lively political tussle This
always comes with presidential years and
this year will be no exception to the rule
The interest and excitement is likely to
be intensified rather than suffer dimnu
ton.
We cannot complain Of 1891 If W.
should 1t would avail nothing. Proph.
esys of 1892 will avail no more but the
lessons for the former should be valuable
In economic and advantageous use of tn,
latter.