The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-05
Especial Correspondence to The pOst)

the National banks In the various States
and Territories received by Comptroller
Dawes last April show wonderful trans
formation In the financial condition Of the
country in the last four years. They are
probably a more accurate gauge of the
marvellous financial rehabilitation that has
occurred In the forty-fve States and four
Territories than any other reports re-
ceives by the government. While the
amount of mortgages cancelled and indebt-
edness liquidated is not shown directly,
the enormous increase In the deposits,
loans and discounts, amounts due from
State and National banks and reserve
agents, the clearing house exchanges and
cash on hand, compared with the same
period OF 1895. indicates indi1ctly the can
collation. OF a vast amount of obligations
and the general prosperity prevailing
throughout the country.
One OF the most remarkable features In
connection with the National banking
system is the tendency toward consolida-
ton, which has been going on for many
years past. On March 6, 1926, there were
372S National banks In the United States.
On April 5, 1899, there were 1888 National
banks. In addition to the decrease shown
by the reports more than 1000 National
banks have made application for and re-
ceiyed charters from the government dur
ing the period covered, which shows tnat
during the last four years more than 100
National banks have been absorbed by
tfg.,. M .f ms
fair estimate of the consolidation beng
so per cent.
On March g. 1895, the total loans and
discounts of the National banks of the
country amounted TO $l,965,3i5.ai On
April 5, last the loans and discounts VI
IKE National banks amounted to 2,4O3.-
A10, s95.6e shaving an increase during
the four years OF little less than $780,
600, 900. or an annual increase Of about
1926 900, 900.
This may be rather remarkable show
ing. A comparison between the indi-
vidual deposits on hand at the two periods
in question is far more remarkable. On
March 5, 1895. the Individual deposits
amounted to 81, 667 S43, 2S62S, on the 5th
day of April, last, they amounted to 81, 49,
22S, 42029. or an increase of about $780,
100000 A large portion of this Increase
in the individual deposits. In the opinion
liquidation of Indebtedness, which has been
going on steadily throughout the country
for the past four years. This relates only
to the National banks. A corresponding
increase has occurred in State and private
institutions, but the exact amount is not
obtainable
The total specie held by the National
banks on May Z, 1895, was $2lS. sac, 599.S
on April 3, last. 1t amounted to 1864, 1872.
SO
During the -four years the amount due
from approved reserve agents increased
from s21S,799. 1880 to Si12,677 ,297l9; from
State and private banks and bankers from
S30,24S,00S.9S TO SIS. $40. 1921, and from
other National banks from sl17.72O, 53S, 30
to s2l3.213,O 7425,
The clearing house exchanges increased
from s3,S33, 1889 to $212.SlS.2ll. 20.
The total resources and liabilities OF the
National banks for the two periods above
mentioned Is also interesting. In 1895 the
total resources were $3,37S $50, 536.75. last
April they were 81, 500. 1875, 1885, thus
showing an increase during the four years
of S1,2G1 GIL, 62S.6l.
II is an interesting fact to note in this
connection that nearly one-half of the en-
tire resources Of the National banks of
the country is held by the National banks
in the Eastern States comprising New
York, New Jersey. Pennsylvania, Della
ware. Maryland and the District of CO.
lumbia. the amount held on April g. last,
being s2,13l 6S6. 7S2,74, while the total re-
sources OF all the National banks OF the
entire country on the same date amounted
to s4.639, 1875. 1906.
The same condition exists In relation
TO the individual deposits. which amounte ed
10 about ass per cent of the total de-
posts In National banks, being $1.ll6.-
s4O,42O.29. About the same percentage
exists with relation to all the other items
which go TO make up the total resources
and liabilities of the National banks.
The wonderful change recorded In the
condition OF the National banks OF the
country Is no more interesting than the
transformation which has taken place In
the condition OF the National banks in the
Southern States. Considered geographical
ly In their order they present an interest
Ing arrayment of facts. which indicates
that good times have prevailed uniform
ly throughout this grand division:
The following table gives comparison
of the principal items in the statements
of the National banks In the Southern
States on May I, 1895. and April 8, 1899,
respectively:
$500, May T. April 8.
Resources .......... s25, 21o,42s ssl. SIT. sos
Loans and dis
counts .......... 15.547. SOS 1esls.a7s
Individual deposits. ~ -67o,024 17n6o.757
Specie ...........,.. S0S,711 1904. 633
Due from approved
reserved agents :. 1,2S5, $50 1891. 1876
Due from State and
private banks -. 45ee7s 4s7.7rs
Due firm other Ma
tioDR1 banks ...... $50. 023 9S1, 462
Clearing house ex-