The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-04-07
OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.
General Business Outlook.

General Business Outlook.
All the leading Journals Of the
various branches of trade notice aud
comment on the palpable signs Of
commercial revival. Even that emf
nently conservative journal the Ma
ton. is confident that the depressions
Of the panic are at last substantially
over, aud that with the growth Of the
spring, there IS to be a general revi-
vsl in business.
TIE Chicago Tribune has been in
terviewiug the different business
firms in that city, and reports a very
~aattering prospect in all branches Of
trade. and ii says its report can be
relied upoH as authoritative, il being
obtained in person. The Troy Times
gives an account Of the status Of the
various manufacturing and CONNER
cial interests there, which shows a
decidedly improved prospect for the
opening season 10 both branches Of
industry.
The Boston Gl0be says the indica-
tons on all sides are that the general
trade Of that city is much better than
it was a year ago this time, and that
no doubt with the disappearance of
the snow and the advent OF mild
weather, merchants viii experience a
fair spring trade. The general mer-
chandise markets, from week to week,
show a decided tendency for the bet
ter. 1t IS predicted that the lst %
AR. which is so largely a settle
ment day throughout New England,
viii usher in a period ofgreat activity
in that section.
In several Of the towns Of Massa-
chusetts, factories are reported as
running on time. In the West, the
farmers are il a much better condi-
ton than was generally supposed,
while the reports of many of the rail
roads Of that section show increased
earnings. In New York, the spring
trade is reported to be progressing
ravorably now in all directions, only
requiring a few days steady weather
to set all the wheels 10 motion. The
various forwarding lines coastwise
have as much freight as they can con-
yeniently handle. With the Eastern
States, ibe free movement Of mer-
chandise is particularly noticeable.
Large quantities Of manufactured
goods are also arriving, both by
steamer and rail. The Savannah, |
Charleston and New Orleans steam
ers also report increasing business,
and the produce markets also fore
shadow the return of more active
times.
Then, too, the late advance in
wheat in England and on the Cont
has started an upward move
ment in prices here, which will cause
an active movement in grain from
the farmers hands to the lake ports
and the seaboard as soon as roads in
the country permit of stuff being haul
to the railroads. The farmers still
hold q large portion of last years
crop, refusing to sell freely at
The last falls prices. The indiea-
are favorable for a good export
demand for wheat in the future,
coupled with the recent ad-
vance in price, certainly strengthens
the theory that u surplus crops will
be marketed during the spring and
summer. which cannot be done with
out giving a sharp impetus to general
business and active employment TO
the railroads. The recent call of the
Secretary Of the Treasury for $780,
600, 600 500 bonds on account of the
sinking fund, has also bad q good
effect in financial and business circles,
and assisted the revival of confidence
had previously set in. The
neglect of the national sinking fund
and the default of interest by our rail-
roads in lS73-74 greatly damage our
credit in Europe, but the action Of
the Secretary in holding the sinking
sacred will do much 10 restore
this credit abroad to its former high
standard, and so increase the conf
dence of European capitalists in the
securities as, it is 10 be hoped, to re-
vive their export once more To
be sure. hope is not a remarkable
commody, but it is an exceedingly
important auxiliary agency Of pros
nevertheless. There is enough
Of everything now, except confidence.
Everybody should now lend a hand
to encourage the growth Of this ten
der plant.