The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1901-01-31
THURSDAY, JANUARY 81, 1901.
THE MOST MARVELLOUS WEALTH
GROWTH IN HISTORY

lne rear kIOW III III ttC '-~~~
NAV to all in tents and purposes be in
cluded within a century, but in no part
of that century has this growth been
more marvellous than during the past
ten wears. The contrasts of 1890 and OF
1900 are greater in many ways than
those of 1890 and 1850. Ten years is
but short time even in the life OF
man, and it is but moment ia the life
of a great nation, but i'm that moment
the United States has accomplished
more i'm adding to the wealth and
power of her people at home and
abroad than is recorded of any other
country i'm the history of the world.
The gains in territory and population
are not as significant as the gains in
commerce and wealth.
In 1890 the people of the United
States used about 1900 million dollars
as a medium of exchange in their do
mestic commerce. Last year 2O55 mil
lions found active employment i'm the
same direction. This is far greater
gain in proportion than the gain in
population, for the per capita circula-
ton of this country in 1890 was 1928
while i'm 1900 it was $26.94.
The national income used for pur.
poses of government In 1890 was $50
million dollars, and in 1900 it was 1918
million. The expenses of the govern
ment in 1890 were $50 millions, and SS6
millions were needed for 1900. The in
creased receipts were from internal
revenue, for the customs, owing to the
comparatively small increase in inpor-
tations, yielded no more in 1900 than
i'm 1890, while the internal revenue re-
ceipts rose in ten years from l42 mil
lion to 295 million dollars.
There has been great deal said of
late in regard to foreign expansion, but
the domestic expansion of the past ten
years, which has produced such tre-
mendous results in government and
commercial affairs, is far more inn
portant to the people than any foreign
interests which have been acquired
While the imports have remained
about the same for q decade, the ex-
ports have increased from S57 million
to 1895 million dollars, yielding bal
ance i'm trade i'm favor of this country
of $40 millions, as against a trade bal
ance in 1890 of SO millions. The popu-
lation of the country has increased 20
per cent in ten years. The importation
of foreign goods about s per cent. The
expectations of American goods So per
cent.
The railroad securities of the United
States have risen in value i'm ten years
from $500 million to II, 692 million dol
lars. The earnings of these roads III
1890 were 525 millions, and in 1900 they
were 1886 millions, notwithstanding a
marked decrease in freight and passen.
ger rates which has taken place in re.
cent years.
The mineral output of the United
States in 1890 was $40 millions, and in
1900 it was 1000 millions. One item of
this output, that of fuel, rose from 23l
to $50 million dollars in that time.
Instances of this kind might he con.
.tinued without end. This increase in
productiveness is all the more remark
able that 1t has not been accompanied
by any signs of overproduction. This
is an excellent promise for the future
continuance of this rapid ratio of growth
1t is a guarantee that the great in.
crease in population which is to come
in the next quarter of century will
find plenty to eat, plenty to wear, and
plenty to do, In the fultilment of the law
that man must live by toil.-The
Worlds Work.