n Alabama, in
1879 it was at $117,486,581; in 1883 it is assessed at
$152,920,115. There has been that increase in four years
from $117,000,000 to $152,000,000. Now let us take the State
of Arkansas: in 1879 our real estate was valued at
$86,892,541; in 1883 it is valued at $136,000,000. It goes
on just in that same proportion. For instance, this shows
that in eight of the Southern and Southwestern States there
has been an increase of nearly half a billion dollars--that
is, $494,836,686--in value of taxable property during the
short period of four years.

I happened to pick up this book last night. If I had an
opportunity I could have gotten some statistics to show you
the increased production in these different States, and how
completely it has taken place, as the laborer has begun to
rely on himself and been thrown on his resources.

Q. Have you observed the origin of these statistics?
--A. They come from the New Orleans _Times-Democrat_. I will
read this in order that they may be known. This is from the
_Herald_ of yesterday:

SOUTHERN PROGRESS

The New Orleans TIMES-DEMOCRAT has gathered from
trustworthy sources and given to the public valuable
statistics showing the industrial progress made in the
Southern States during the past four years. This covers the
period since 1879, the year to which the figures of the
latest national census apply. The census returns show a
marvelous material growth in the South during the preceding
ten years. But, according to the reports published by our
New Orleans contemporary, the progress of the past four
years is greater and more wonderful than that achieved
during the decade between the census years.

Taking the important item of assessed value of property, a
comparison between the years 1879 and 1883 gives the
following remarkable results:

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Assessment Tax Assessment Tax
States 1883 rate 1879 rate
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Alabama $152,920,115 6-1/2 $117,486,581 7
Arkansas 136,000,000 7 86,892,541 6-1/2
Florida 56,000,000 5