The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-02-18
NOW WE'RE PAYING OUT
Eastern Financial Paper at Last
Makes Surprising Discovery
That Kansas Has Paid 50, OOO,-
900 of Bonded Indebtedness
In the Last Two Years and is Rapidly
Getting Out of Debt-Its Finan-
cial Situation One of the Best
in the United States.

Kansas stock is going up in the mon
ey centers like Boston, New York and
Philadelphia A leading article in the
last number of the United States Inves-
tor gives Kansas a much more fatter-
ing notice than has appeared in finan-
cial papers for a long time.
The article concerning the situation
in Kansas is as follows:
The auditors report for the years
1896 and 1895. just made, shows a sur
priSing fact in that it gives the bonded
indebtedness of Kansas as 81, OF, AIS
less at this time than it was two years
ago OF 104 counties. only % have
increased their Indebtedness while 81
have decreased it,
These are the figures from the county
clerks and are correct. Considering
the hard times of the past two years
this is a remarkab BILE showing and it
will be seen that the resources of the
state have not been exaggerated If it
can pay its debts at that rate in such
times, what may it do in good times?
Kansas, as a state, owes little money.
At the report of two years ago. it was
shown that its bonded Indebtedness
was but $S01 900; this has in the past
two years been reduced $119 900, and
is now only $685., 900. 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
ton to make of the western third four
large counties is meeting with strong
opposition, but there will be some
thing done. If the four county scheme
fails, there will be a consolidation OF
some of the weaker counties.
The residents of the western portion
are arranging for convention to talk
over the matter. The irrigation COM
mission is preparing a 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 COM
mission. It 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 $1,000 900. The farming
community is put at 1894 men, and
they have produced a grand total of
$244, 067, $50 in grain and stock.
The corn crop is put down as the
principal one of the state, and in the
past % years it has given a product of
$31, 100000 each year, mostly raised
east of a north and south central line
In these years the average yield has
been 27.1 bushels, and in ten of them
it was over 40 bushels. This means a
period covers the states business
life for all practical purposes. This
year the yield was 221, 633, 600 bushels.
A large amount of space is given to the
they are making the fastest progress of
any industry in the state. If the COW
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 creameries has
been $25O,00 annually, and this is in
creasing every year. The next boom in
Kansas is going to be one of butter and
cheese products, and if it is not over
done, as some have been in the past it
will h1 var Ifelf 1eaf no OF
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 see
ing it.
Kansas is on the upgrade and is max
ing a surer prosperity than ever before
in her history. The state reports all
show a good business record, and they
are all encouraging. If the old boom
debts can be taken care of and salts
factory basis can be reached for the
adjustment of them, there is at hand
the best and most prosperous period
in the states history. Then the houses
will be painted, and the door yard
fences fixed up, and the state will look
like herself gain