Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1891-10-21
Manufacturers in the Census,

The census report on manufactures
is not yet given out in detail, but the
Superintendent has made known the
totals, probably with the purpose of
allowing the country to know in
advance how marvellously the socall-
ed industrial interest has been devel-
oped under the stimulating policy off
high protective tariff And it must
be admitted that the figures are pro-
digious. The last previous census
1880 showed that the gross value of
our product of manufacturers was
IS, 1859, 100000; in 1890 it was 49,
SOC, 900 ,000-an increase Of over go
per cent. in the ten years. In 1880
the capital invested in manufacturing
was $2,790,0O0, 900; in 1890 it was
"a, 600, 000.000-an increase of64 per
cent. The wages paid in 1880 amount.
ed to $948, 100000; in 1890 to nearly
81 500 ,000,000-an increase of over
So per cent. The number of persons
employed in manufacturing in 1880
was 2,731 900; in 1890 1t was $3.50,
OOO-an increase of "a per cent.
This phenomenal growth of manu-
features appears to be something to
congratulate ourselves upon, and il
really would be if there were no re-
verse side to the picture. But it has
cost something, and when we come to
find out how great the cost is, and
whom it rests upon, we may well
withhold our congratulations and find
something in the picture to lament.
Has that other great interest, agri-
culture, kept pace with manufactures
Does it show a growth Of 60 per cent
also Protected manufacturers pros
pered in the last decade, certainly.
No doubt about that there would
not have been 81 100000, 900 more
capital put into the business in the
ten years if it had not been flourish.
ing aud profitable. But have the
farmers been prosperous also? They
surely have as good right to be as
the manufacturers but have they
beeng
The question answers itself. The
vast Alliance South, and even into the
farming districts of the manufacturing
States, is a conclusive proof not only
that farmers are not prosperous, but
that they are profoundly dissatisfied,
and such official reports bearing on
their condition as at hand show why.
There are reasons for believsng that
while protected and pampered manu-.
featuring has increased 60 per cent
in the last ten years, agriculture has
iuuuo uCAb W uO ihCItdso Nv III
Thousands of new farms have been
opened in the newer Western States,
indeed-for in those States farming is
the only vocation that can be follow.
ed-but the total farm property of the
country is, probably, not worth any
more to day than it was ten years ago,
and the census report, if fairly made
up, will show it. The whole cereal
crop in 1880 was valued at S1,361,
497, 900, and in 1890 at 1890, 255,
000-a decrease in value of $41, 242,.
600. In 1879 the wheat crop of Iowa
was worth $30.163,000; a falling of
of s16,919,000. In the same period
the wheat crop of Illinois fell of in
value from $4S,000,0O0 to $4,000,
600; that of Indiana from SOL ,000,.
900 to 500, 1000, 900; that of Michigan
from $33,664,000 to s17,544,000
that of Missouri from s27 1853, 900 to
s13,208 900; that of Nebraska from
s10,956,000 to SS,761, 900; that Of
Ohio from s43.91O,OOO to s2s,O17 900
that of Kentucky from $S,296, 900 to
G,7S4,000; and that Of Pennsylvania
from 500, 445,000 to s14.124,000
The entire wheat crop of 1889 wss
100000 bushels greater than tina,
of 1879, and It took 100000 more