People's voice., 1897-02-25
Kansas is Paying Out.

0NONe~
money centers like Boston, New York
and Philadelphia. A leading article 10
the last number Of the United States
Investor gives Kansas much more
fattering notice than has appeared in
financial papers for long time.
The article concerning the situation
in Kansas is as follows:
The auditors report for the years
1895 and 1896, just made, shows a sur
prising fact, in that it gives the
bonded Indebtedness of Kansas as
s2,Ol7, AIS less at this time than it
was two years ago. or lO4 counties,
only twenty-three have increased
their Indebtedness, while eighty-One
have decreased it,
"These are the figures from the
county clerks and are correct. Con-
sidering the hard times of the past
two years this is a remarkable show
ing, and it will be seen that the re-
sources of the state have not been
exaggerated. IL it can pay its debts
at that rate in such times, what may
it do in good times? Kansas, as
state, owes little money. At the re-
port Of two years ago, it was shown
that its bonded Indebtedness was but
1901, 900; this has in the past two
years been reduced $4,000, and is
now only S6S2, 1000. The counties that
have increased their Indebtedness in
the past two years are for the most
part in the western part Of the state,
though not entirely So. The PROPOSE
tiOn to make of the western third
four large counties is meeting with
strong opposition, but there will be
something done. If the fOur-cOunty
scheme fails, there will Ge ConsOl-
idaticn of some of the weaker cOun-
ties.
"The residents of the western pOr-
ti0n are arranging for convention to
talk over the matter. The irrigation
commission is preparing report that
will be in favor Of more experiments,
but the work already done has been
so barren of results that it is likely
that the legislature will abolish the
Commission. 1t has shown that there
can be something done where there is
water, but as there is not sufficient
water, it is no added wisdom to that
possessed before.
"The states biennial report shows
that the past two years have been
more productive than those of the
preceding two by over SS,00O,000. The
farming community is put at 1884
men, and they have produced a grand
total of S244, 4,O67,6S2 in grain and
stock.
"Tne corr crop is put down as the
principal one of the state, and in the
past % years it has given a product of
S3l, 100000 each year, mostly raised
east OF q north and south central line.
In these years the average yield has
been 27.l bushels, and in ten Of them
it was over 40 bushels. This means a
mighty productive force, and the
period covers the states business life
for all practical purposes. This year
the yield was 221, $4,000 bushels. A
large amount of space is given to the
dairy products. and it is shown that
they are making the fastest progress
ofany industry in the state. lfthecOw
cannot make the farmer independent,
it will be because he is not trying to
use her milk to the best advantage.
'In some of the counties the
amount paid for milk at the cream
cries has been S25O,OO0 annually, and
this is increasing every year. The
next boom 10 Kansas is going to be
one of butter AMI cheese products,
and if it is not overdone, as some have
been in the past, it will be very profit
able to the state. The counties where
the creamery is getting a foothold
will be found to be the most sure in
the payment of the debts, and the
people who live in them are seeing it.
kansas is on the upgrade and is
making a surer prosperity than ever
before in her history. The state re-
ports all show a good business record,
and they are all encouraging. If the
old boom debts can be taken care of
and a satisfactory basis can be
reached for the adjustment Of them,
there is at hand the best and most
prosperous period in the states his
tory. Then the houses will be painted
and the door yard fences fixed up. and
the state will look like herself
again."