The total equalized estate value of the State in 1840 was $639,171,000, in 1860 $1419,- 297,520 and in 1884 $3,014,591,372, the proportion being to that of the county in 1840 as 60 to 1, in 1860 as 34 to 1 and in 1884 as 41 to 1. This it is believed could be even more strongly presented. But while thus noticing the great increase in wealth, it is more of a satisfaction to observe the accompanying advantages moral and intellectual. The schools of the county have been brought up to a standard which will compare favorably with the most approved. Institutions of an eleemosynary character have been organized and opportunities for mental culture, additional to those which proximity to the city affords, are devised and well supported. By the increase of churches and of religious ministrations the spiritual necessities of the people are subserved. Reference also should be made to the newspaper of the county, which has had a usefulness which cannot but with injustice be undervalued. It is a pleasure to speak, with the confidence of due consideration, of the skill and ability which has been displayed in its management, to which is added regret that the files of the more than fifty journals published in the county in the last seventy-five years have not been more carefully preserved. Not only, in consequence, have interesting facts been lost, but the subjects from time to time moving the public mind are not so easily recalled or understood. The first known newspapers of this County were started in the same year, 1810, -- the Somers J/uaeMm, published by Milton F. Gushing, and the Westchester Gazette, by Robert Crombie. It would appear that the Sing Sing Republican is the legitimate successor of this Westchester Gazette. The Eastern State Journal and the Highland Democrat, (formerly Westchester and Putnam Democrat,) both started in 1845, claim rank next for age, succeeded by the two Yonkers papers, the Gazette (at first Herald) of 1852 and the Statesman (formerly Westchester iS'ewa) of 1853.