Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 39, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 January 1907 — WEALTH OF COUNTRY [ARTICLE]

WEALTH OF COUNTRY

ESTIMATED TOTAL OF THE NATION IS $1 18,742,306,775. Americans the Richest People—Last Few Years Rrlngt Phenomenal Advanees, Surpassing; Other Period* ’ ’ —Amount per Capita $l,lOO. The census ofHcia Is discovered t liat the total wealth of the people of the United States on was $88,517.306,175, vign average of sl,164.75 PJtT 7 *very "man, wonjan autToklkT in this great and glorious republic. During tlte laet .six years the people .-o£_4fais country have enjoyed unprecedented -prosperity. 'i'he growth*of population, the increase of wealth and'development of our national commerce and industries have, been more rapid than for any previous period. We have gained more in six years than we*'liave previously gained in any ten years. The totals at the bottom of every column of statistics are rolling up in a marvelous manner. The country is so big that it takes a long time to find out what we are doing, hat. our statistics .are published more promptly and are more complete than those of any other nation, unless it be Sweden. We are far ahead of France and Germany. Their statistics are- usually several years behind the times. England does better. Her Stilt!SticfiTOS keep up pretty close to date, but are not so prompt in their publications as those of the United States.

The returns for 1904 have, been compiled and show that on June of that year the total wealth of our people was $107,104.2ri.917, an increase of $lB,592,905,112 in four years. During those, four years tlie population of the country increased from <£,- 904,575 to 81.250.000. or at the rate of 1,315,350 souls per year. There ts every reason to me 11 eve that our increase in wealth has been even more rapid since the 30th of June, 1904, than it was in the four years previous to that date, and at the same ratio of gain the increase during the six years and six months from June 30, >I9OO, to Dec. 31. 1900, ought to lie not less than $30,225,000,000. That would-make the total wealth of this country to-day $115,742,300,775. ' Thus, since the beginning of the cen-

tury. the wealth of the American people has been rolling up at the rate of: $4,650,000,000 every year. $127,339,726 every day. $5,305,522 every hour of every day. ♦SS.43O every minute, $1,474 every second of the six years and a half since the census of 1900 was taken. This makes the per capita wealth In 1904 npt less than $1,306.15, an Increase of $35 a year In the earthly possessions of every man, woman and child In the United States. The gain has undoubtedly continued at the same rate since June 30, 1901. which would make each of us worth more than $1,400 on the day of our Lord, Jan. 1. 1907, and undoubtedly proves that we are the richest people In the world. On the 30th of June last the total wealth of the United Kingdom—England. Scotland, Wale* and Ireland—was $45,940,000,000, an average of sl.033 per capita.

The Interior of the city hall at New Bedford. Mass., erected in 1539. was burned. The city records were saved. The loss is estimated at $40,000. Eleven stores and the Masonic Hall •t Sharon. Ua_ were destroyed by fire. The loss was $50,000, partially covered by insurance.