EXHIBIT (12)

Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges

Year ended December 31,

	2014		2013		2012		2011			2010
Income before provision for income taxes and fixed charges (Note A)	$	158,919,435	$	152,117,322	$	137,251,581	$	136,980,092		$	125,706,453
Fixed Charges:
Interest on long-term debt	$	40,636,896	$	40,354,153	$	40,192,347	$	42,580,987		$	41,958,541
Interest on short-term debt	113,333		59,504		187,132		86,406			630,913
Interest on trust preferred securities	—		—		—		—			2,089,583
Other interest	989,627		1,064,869		1,087,719		(1,147,472		)	(2,332,530		)
Rental expense representative of an interest factor (Note B)	10,855,975		9,700,747		5,944,675		6,190,709			5,430,863
TOTAL FIXED CHARGES	$	52,595,831	$	51,179,273	$	47,411,873	$	47,710,630		$	47,777,370
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges	3.02		2.97		2.89		2.87			2.63

NOTE A:  For the purpose of determining earnings in the calculation of the ratio, net income has been increased by the provision for income taxes, non-operating income taxes and by the sum of fixed charges as shown above.

NOTE B:  One-third of rental expense (which approximates the interest factor).