The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-02
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY ., 1901.
LIBERTY AND PROGRESS.

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Among the greatest achievements of the
nineteenth century are to be reckoned the
betterment of mans social condition, the
increased wealth of the masses, the prac-
teal adjustment OF famine. the enormous
increase in the worlds capacity to pro
duce and rapid transportation.
Prof. Jerome Dowd says that in the first
century it is doubtful if the property of
The Individual of any nation averaged
5000; now France has wealth TO the sum
of ST. 600 which would allow 5000 for
every family of four persons, while in
England the proportion OF wealth TO popu-
lation is about the same In the United
States in 1860 the per capita wealth was
S514: now il is about S1,0o0. making an
average for each family of five persons
the sum of 5000.
lie reminds us that in early times there
was never among any people a long re-
spite from famine and pestilencc, as we
know from the Scriptures and other ac-
counts of tribal life. But i'll the United
States our yield of food supplies is not
only sufficient and uniform, but superb
bundant and almost superfluous, so that
IL is sometimes necessary to burn our corn
for fuel Each year we send millions and
millions OF bushels of corn and wheat, be-
sides other food products, abroad, so that
wherever there may be a lack it is readily
supplied from our surplus stores Our
capacity 10 produce has been greatly en-
r oh,
and our products can be carried cheaply
and quickly 10 all parts OF the earth be-
cause of the improvement in Transporter
ton facilities.
Mr. Dowd points out that before the
invention of steam locomotion the hauling
of freight by land did not exceed the rate
of four or five miles and hour. and that
one ton was more than a load for the best
vehicle; now, an ordinary freight locomo-
tive carries a burden OF 300 tons at a
speed of thirty miles an hour. Very few
commodities an hundred years age he
goes on, could be marketed over land
distance of fifty miles, owing to the cost
of transportation and loss of time IL
making the journey. Now wheat is sold
in foreign markets 5000 miles from home
our railroad tracks. if formed into con-
,inuous line, would circle the earth TWEEN
~ times. and thirty miles of additional
tracks are built With every revolution OF
our planet
Referring 10 transportation by water in
the previous century. he points out that
The largest ocean carrier scarcely eN-
,.eeded i've hundred tons capacity. while
NOW. thanks to steam navigation. we have
ocean greyhounds that cross the Atlantic
in i've days carrying ten thousand tons
burden.
Coming next TO speak Of our increased
capacity in manufacturing, he reminds US
mat steam power did not come to the
rescue until the closing part of the eish-
,oe,,r century. and that the great impe-
131s which that force gave 10 mannfactur-
ing did not begin TO manifest itself in en-
lareins production until carly in the last
century. For illustration. lie tells lis that
Lancashire. took only $4,000 bales of cotton
,ro,, .bc United States in 1901, and only
!. eco bales from India. whereas she took
aepo.noo bales from the United States and
1890 from India in 1876. Our total OK
ports of cotton are now from! five 70 seven
million bales !, year.
Mr.. Dowd further notes that in the
United States the motive force used in
turning the wheels CT industry are equal
10 10000 horse power, or the labor of
,a,oaeeo men. That IN Franco the motive
forces are estimated TO equal b,D0eoe
horsepower. or the labor OF loo.eoooo0
men. and that as there are only lo.ooo,ooo
adult men in France this power is equiva-
lent 10 len slaves 10 each person.
In the beginning the Creator made man
to rule over all things terrestrial and
commanded him to have dominion. He
was told 10 sabdue The beasts of the field
and the forces of nature and make them
serve him. For many years he only en-
ploeed the beasts ofsthe field to bear his
burden. bnt in these latter days he has
.ubdued the secret forces of nature, steam
and electricity and the powers Of water