The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-04-09
Jdst One Decade OF
american Progress
J, u whclplev. in Golfers Weekly.

=
TEN WEARS is but short time in mans
life. Tie children OF 1890 have not yet
j left their childhood. The men OF that
day arc the men of this. The builders
OF then are the builders OF now. The past de-
cadc is all within the prime of the present gen.
Grafton, and yet the naionalizcd energy OF that
brief time has wrought wonders even more sg
nicant than the growth of the nation in its
cnilrc though comparatively short existence.
Today American authority is supreme over
nearly 100000 square miles of territory more
than in 1880, and the population of the whole
is over $1,000 0O0 AS compared with the Is. 5.0OO,0O
OF ten years ago. From the seventh place as
u naval power, the United States has advanced
to the fourth. An army of twenty-five thou.
sand men has grown to one hundred and thrcc
thousand. The possible factor in the affairs of
one hemisphere has become the balance OF power
in both The mere illustration of high civ.
lization has become the active influence for its
extension the world about.
In 1880 the American people possessed some.
Thing less than 1900 million dollars OF their own
make. and in 1900 they had over 2O55 millions,
or, 10 be exact, an increase OF 626 millions.
This gain more than corresponds to the increase
in population, for in 1890 the per capita money
OF this country $22.s2. while in 1900 it was
S2j.Di. In 1880 Uncle Sans income 60
millions, and in 1900 it was 1913 millions. The
expenses OF the government in 1890 G3O
millions, and in 1900 they were sSG millions.
These receipts and expenditures have never been
appIoXimatcd before in times OF peace, and
only cGuaed during the closing OF the civil
war. In 1890 there was balance in the
United States treasury OF 6'l million dollars.
In 1909 that balance was over 1859 millions and
largely in gold specie. The per capita rev.
cnuc Of the United states in 1880 was So. l3, and
in 1900 it WAS $7.I@. The per capita expenses
in 1890 were $500, and $3.50 in 1900. The in
creased receipts have come largely from inter.
nal revenue The increase in the expenditures
is distributed throughout the various branches Of
the government In 1890 A millions was spent
the army, aud 13i millions in 1900. In $50
the navy cost ~ millions, and 81 millions in
1900 During the same time the Indian eN-
pcnscs increased from 10 10 millions, and
pensions from 1oi TO 10 millions. In the past
ten years the public debt has increased from 3l2
to 3tj million dollars.
In 1890 the imports ot merchandise from for.
cign countries valued at $50 million dol
lars, and the exports OF American goods at S51
millions, a trade balance in favor OF this coun-
try Of Gs million dollars. IN 1900 the imports
oi iaerclIamse from foreign countries were
valued at so million dollars and the exports of
american goods at l3Dj millions Il balance of
dollars Thus in ten years, while the population
has increased 10 per cent, the importations ri
foreign goods have increased by 81 millions,
less than per cent: Daring the same period
the annual exports OF american goods have in
"rclsrd j3S million dollars, or about G3 per cent.
This il three times rapid gain as shown by
the population. There is no possible way OF
arriving al any figures regarding the domestic
commerce ot the United States. Eminent stats.
.T1,stt, .t,,,
and the tsmcs run t1r into the billions II is
sal" to say, however, that the gain in this field
has hccn in larger percentage than in the foreign
trade, II IL were possible To make estimates in
this direction, the figures would he practically
Useless on account at their incomprchensiblc mag.
nitlIlc
IN the field al Transportation, The growth has
been bowildrIiug There were l6l,.iO miles OF
railroad in the United States in 1880 In lHn
there we've l0o,so3 miles. This means that in
years, after all the great systems were practically
complete 3o,uOO miles ot road were built and
equipped at a cost oi not less than LOO million
dollars, The value OF railroad securities in 1870
was $3.50 million dollars, In 1900 these secmi.
ties were yaued at ll,Gg million dollars, and
into this account must be taken the rcorganaa.
ton Of many road, during that period and the
consequent reduction in their capitalization IN
1890, LOCO locomotives pulled one million cars
IN 1900, 37,0D locomotives ot greater power
pulled 3oOO0O more cars oi much larger capacity
The business done by these roads has increased
80 per cent. Ill ten years. In 1880 The earnings
were about j2j million dollars, and in 1900 they
We're i,3}J millions, aud that with quite gen
elh reduction oi freight and Passenger rates.
The mineral output of the United States IN lS0)
WAS valued at about $40 million dollars. In 1901
il reached nearly 1000 millions The annual
iuel production OF the country as one item has
increased in ten years from 23l 10 80 million
dollars, The production OF gold by this country
in ls0O was SO million dollars, and in 1900 it Was
n millions. The production of copper in 1890
was worth 81 million dollars, and in 1900 it Was
worth l0i millions In 1870 the iron production
was l5l million dollars and in 1900 il reached
2ij millions 4 proportionate gain Is shown in
the production OF every other raw material ot
commerce, with which adds each year 10 The
wealth OF the nation.
Thirteen million moic people oind adequate
living iucomc in The United States in 1900 than
were supplied With The same in ls90. and found
1t easier. There is more prosperity for the