The Portland daily press., 1875-10-18
Prnachniant.

Everybody says that business is dull and
aTerybody knows that employment is limited,
that there is general stagnation in all kinds
of business, which is best expressed by the
word ''goneness." Scores of different causes
are assigned for the present condition of
business and industry. The most reasonable
and obvious causes are.over production during
the five Or six years preceding the crash,
crazy speculation, the sinking of millions in
railroad and other schemes which yield no
return, and general eXtravagant, not to say
reckless expenditure in living into which all
classes have fallen, from the day laborer to
the merchant prince. The fact is we have
been spending more than we have earned.
We did SO for years.. aud the wonder is that
we ran along so long time without expert
encing the collapse which came in 1873. Since
that time we should have been gaining
strength, and ought now to be slowly but
surely preparing for the resumption of activi-
ty in business and industry. If we are not it
is largely our own fault. If, as nation, we
are still spending more than we earn, we had
as we'll look for the millennium during the
active existence of the Democratic party as
for the healthy restoration Of the business of
the country while this practice continues.
1t is hard to give up the extravagant habits
into which we fell during the flush times of
the war, when dollars seemed as plenty as
dimes had previously been. And now the
great part of our people seem determined not
to give up the luxuries until forced to do so
when it is impossible to live longer on credit.
But When we speak of extravagant expendi-
lures, we do not mean that the greater part
Of the people live in better houses or wear
more comfortable clothes than they can af.
ford, or could afford if they would forego
other useless expenditures.
1t is very easy to preach retrenchment and
economy, but the practice is most disagreea-
bic. We will doubtless attempt 10 sugar-coat
the bitter pile, and in various ways apply the
remedy in the wrong way. Ten to one the
man who smokes twenty-five or fifty cents
worth Of cigars day will invite his wife to
discuss the expediency of getting along with
Cut house-servant, and decide that the
newspaper and magazine are luxuries which
can be dispensed with. Yet if we will but
keep faithful record of the items of expense
for month or year we will be surprised to
see how great part of our income goes for
luxuries not essential to moderate degree of
comfort.
There are, however, few matters about
our expenses so plain that we need not make
mistake. When we say to the grocer who
brings long overdue bill, ''yo1 must wait,''
we should forego the society excursion with
marching and music at a cost that would
make US square with the trade. The head of
the family who finds it a quandary how he
shall pay the quarters rent and the coal bill,
should begin by telling his family that they
must accept his good will in lieu OF costly
Christmas presents this year. And Charles
Augustus, most beautiful of young men and
patient cultivator of sickly moustache, it isn't
good year for you to surprise your adorable
Miranda with that fine set of jewelry so long
as, for obvious reasons, you hastily pass your
tailor's establishment with averted eyes.
1t is no excuse just nov for us to contin ue
In extravagant habits because we can get
credit. That is the great trouble Traders
with stores full are eager to sell; and the
harder the times, the greater the stock on
hand, more desirous both manufacturer and
dealer is to sell. The one who would pur-
chase is better judge of his capacity to pay
than the man who would sell him goods on
credit. Besides, so long as we go on with this
credit system, we are to certain extent pu.
ting off the return of activity in business.
The very best service those of us who have
small incomes can render business and indus
try to-day is to pay as ave 90.