Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1892-07-21
Some Figures.

our leading papers the other day, the
writer was very forcibly impressed
with some figures therein contained.
Among other statements we noticed
the following latter speaking of the
condition of people in several Euro
pean countries, notably England,
Wales and Ireland) the author says:
In the United States 20 persons are
worth g, zoo. 900 and less than so
of these can control the currency and
commerce of the country at days
notice. One hundred are worth 3d.
100000 and $4,000 own half the
total wealth"
These are startling statistics. Not
only startling. but calculated to in
spire alarm in the minds of thinking
men and women.
The best authorities agree that the
total wealth of this nation is about
$1,000 per capita, or say in round
numbers $4,000, OOO,OOOOO. What
does it mean when MIR. John Bright,
Professor Allen and others" tell us
that $4,000 persons own one half Of
this wealth? 1t means an Average
| fortune for each one of those $4,000
persons of 81, 100000 When we re-
member the testimony of the "Farm
and Fireside," John j. Ingalls, and
many others, that mo man can hon
estly earn $1,OO0,OO0," 1t would be a
waste of time to dllate on the system
which enables some of those among
the $4,000 to acquire 300 or 400 mil
lions. One of the most significant
features, too, is that 'ifty of these
can control the currency and COM
MERGE of the country at q days no
tice."
But, if $4,000 people (or families)
own one half of the wealth, what does
it mean for the other 100000 fami-
lies7 why, that their average wealth
instead of being S1,2OO,OOO, is just
S2,5OOOO. Here, certainly, is one in
stance where extremes meet.
Again, the article above referred tc
says, 1.-THE census shows that the rail
roads of the country own 281, 100000
acres of land, and foreign and domes
tic syndicates own 100000 acres
making a total of 365. 100000 acres"
What do we see about these figures
that are extraordinary? Why, we
find that the area of land owned by
the railroads alone is equal to all o
: the States ofKansas, Nebraska, Iowa
Missouri, Minnesota and North Da
kota with a garden patch of 2,2O6, 80
acres over; or if we take the amour
d owned by railroads and syndicates to
t gether, we can add to the list 0
States above South Dakota and Wis
consin and have left over 2,323, so
acres, enough to make nearly 1890
farms of $50 acres each, or if we spea
of the matter of quarter sections, tn
area of land so held, as reported b
g the census, would equal 2,2S1,25
e quarter sections, or enough to furr
} ish farm homes for II, 406, $50 peopl
4, to say nothing of the additional mi
'e lions that could be supported by til
ie products of the soil.
1t Now, if any one thinks that the lif
Is of the Nation is not endangered by s
st much land being held by corporation
To and non-residents, let him take b
l. atlas and red ink and trace a lin
rs around the states named above, an
'e see what a large per centage of th
land is in the hands of those who's
70 sole aim Is to grow rich at the e.
m pense of others.
7e Mr.. Porter's census reports ais
p show, that of the 4,225,95 farms
y the United States, 4,024. 701 are rem
n ed.
It, These figures mean nothing whe
glanced at carlessly, but when OF
is takes the time to study them, the
~ begin to take on a very serious meal
ne ing, and no thoughtful man will
he satisfied at just looking at these gre
ly questions from only one standpoir
y. but Will try TO find out the means
- which these things can be adiuste
and the condition of the people be
- tered.
- We are told that we are the wealt
!, lest nation on earth. The wealth
as this country Is phenomenal. Bat /
~ member there are so, 900 millionair
- and almost 5OO,OOO,-more tn
:, this there are Ocer $1,000 homeIe
:. children in the United States. No
= get. 1t is said that 10000 cIsiIdr
=; die annually an the Uaited STA
=. from Eqrb sf FOOD Yet more
-, -: New York, a CITY of about 2OOQ0
- inhabitants, 10000 own nearly all t
- city, while 100000 working WON
- are so poorly paid that they must {
Of cept charity, sell their boates
in starrs.a
a. fes this is rich nation, but Il
term does not imply that all the p
pie are even reasonably prosperous
ION The good house wife knows Il
ur- the DroDer ouantity of sugar RICH