742 



UNITED STATES, FINANCES OP THE. 



was a falling off during the period of over 

 $400,000,000 in the resources of the banks, and 

 of course a like amount in that of the liabilities. 

 The larger part of this decrease arises from the 

 item of loans and discounts, the bank having 

 contracted their accommodations on account of 

 the financial depression prevailing at that period, 

 which has largely continued since. Following 

 is a statement showing number and condition of 

 the national banks at dates named : 



In this connection it is interesting to note the 

 condition of State banks, and the following ab- 

 stract is made of the principal items published 

 by the Comptroller of the Currency from the 

 last returns received in his office from such 

 banks in 1893. It will be noted that of State 

 banks there are more in number than of nation- 



al banks, although the capital stock is not one 

 half as great. These banks are largely located 

 in the Southern and Western States. The fig- 

 ures do not include returns from loans and trust 

 companies, or from savings banks, holding large 

 amounts of deposits mainly in the New England 

 and Middle States : 



The total coinage of the country for the fiscal 

 year 1893 amounted to $43,685,178, of which 

 about $30,000,000 was of gold. That portion of 

 the act of July 14, 1890, requiring the Secretary 

 of the Treasury to purchase 4,500,000 ounces of 

 silver every month at best rates obtainable, anil 

 issue therefor Treasury notes designed to circu- 

 late as money, was repealed on Nov. 1, 1893, 

 leaving no authority of any kind for the further 

 coinage of silver dollars, unless, as claimed by 

 some, the difference between the amount paid 

 for the silver bullion purchased under this act 

 and the number of silver dollars into which it 

 could be fabricated, amounting to about $60,- 

 000,000, could be coined. 



