The Charles Mix new era. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1???-1911, 1908-01-10
William e. Curtis Says Croesus
Was Pauper Beside Our
Uncle Sam.
FIGURES SHOW BIa GROWTH
Per Capita Wealth in 1870 Wa
@770.s3; In 1907 It Was
9%1,31O.11.

are some figures that every body should
read. because they mean 80 much. They
measure u greatness as a nation and
n prosperity as a people. and al
though they are so ~stupendous that the
Eunan mind almost refuses to coinpre-
bend them. they carry a lesson that ev-
cry citizen and every school boy should
learn. Uncle Sam Is richer than any
other nation that exists or ever has
existed. Croesus, King Of Lydia. whose
name has been a synonym for wealth
Tor ages, was a pauper compared to
him.
From the reports Of the bureau Of
statistics, the census bureau, the Treas
ury and Agricultural Department Will
liam f. Curtis. the Washington CORE
spodent. has compiled a few significant
ngures showing the material develop
ment OF the United States within the
last t~hirty-seven years. He has select
Cd the year 1870 ms a basis Of compari-
ron. because that was the beginning of
q new era In American commerce and
Industry that followed the Civil War.
Although the panic Of 'Z3 arrested the
growth Of the country for a time. the
present period Of development began
then.
The population Of the country in 1870
was 3S,55S,371, or 1874 to the square
mile: the population on the 3Oth of June.
1907, according to the estimates OF the
census bureau. was 81, 500, 1903, or 2S.oS
per square mile.
The tangible wealth Of the country, the
true valuation Of real and personal prop
erty. according to the census of 1870. was
$SO.O6S,51S.OOO. while in 1907 it 10 esti-
mated at more than three times that
amount. or $1O7, 1O4, PILOT.
As far back as 1850 the per capita
wealth Of the United States was csti.
mated at $307.69. In 1870 it had more
than doubled and was estimated at
$179.S3. In 1867 it had almost doubled
again. and has reached the sum of ST.
boil per capita. which proves that we
are the richest people that ever existed.
In other words, il the real and personal
property belonging to the inhabitants Of
the United States could be equally dis
fributed among them, zach man. woman
n child living on the Both of June las.
would have been entitled to N,31O.11.
In 1870 the deposits in national banks
Tor the whole United States amounted to
$542,261. 1853, while on the 3Oth of Sep
tember last they were $4.322, $50, 141.
In 1870 the deposits in savings banks
were $349,S74,3JS. while on the Both of
September. 1907, they were s3,G9O.O7s.-
045.
Taking the two together and Including
al the banks-national. State, private
q sayings--the deposits have increased
eightfold during the last thirty-seven
years-from 81. O92, I35, 1921 in 1870 to
&S.O23,2SS,SS8 in 1907.
The national bank circulation in 1870
was $2SS,64S,OS1, while on Dec. IA last
1t vas $675,231 .3O5.
In 1870 we had only So. 900 silver
and gold coin. To-day we have 81 4.
7O5.S69. of which $7J6,G65, 500 is gold
and the remainder silver.
The interest-bearing debt of the United
States has been reduced from 81, o46. 49,
TO, or $Go.46 per capita Of POPULATION.
In l070 to $S69, GO3,01O. or $1O.26 per
capita, In 1907. The annual interest
charges on the public debt have been re-
duced from $11S,7 1884, 500. or S. per cap
ita OF population. to SCI. 62S,014, or %
cents per capita Of population.
Notwithstanding the reductions in war
taxes since 1870. the ordinary revenues
OF the government have increased from
SD5.950,S34 in that Z a to $603, l4O.4
In 1907. and the ordinary expenditures
increased from $164.42l.JO to
$o54.422.5S. This does not include the
receipts or expenses of the postal service,
which In almost self-sustaining. Last
year the receipts from postage were Sl23.-
bS3,OOO and the expenses $l01,21A3S7.
leaving . deficit Of $1.6o0,3S7 to Be paid
out OF the treasury.
The total revenues of the government
In 1907 were $s4G. TBS .3SS9 and the total
expenses $S19,Sie.l50.
The increase in the pension roll has
been enormous. The total ia 1870 was
SIS, $780, and in 1907 it il $1,000
Ola. The cost of the army in 1870 was
$57 .J05.6I5. and in 1907 $12o5776. 1G5.
The cost Of the navy dc-ias the same ne-
Rod has increased from ST., 7SO.23O to
$91.I2S 400.
The imports of merchandise in 1870
amounted to $43a.95S. 4Os, and our ex-
ports were $3D2.711.1GS that year, while
in 1a07 the imports were l.434,42l.4 25
end the exports $l.SSO.S5l. O7S. In 1870
the exports per capita Of population were
e0.7@. and, Notwithstanding the enormous
increase in population. the per capita in
1907 was $2l.G6.
The foreigp IN Of the United
States for the calendar y<ar OF 1901 has
been larger than in a previous year in
the history Of the country, both in Inn
ports and exports, and our trade with
every grand division OF the world il in ex-
csss Of any previous year. The imports
larins the eleven months ending Nov. 80
exceeded 81, 80. 100000. while the exnorts
were worth $~l.716O0O.OOO.
TIE lacrease IN exports~ occurs chiefly
n manufactured articles. Ths feures 81
agsicultusal exports remain ahout tie
. n 1914 when thev v~rp -
49, - nn0o&d