New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-11-10
THE BEGINNING or BITTER TINES.

The prosperity of trade depends on the con-
dition of the classes who are engaged Ill pro-
duetion. In the United States the agricultural
class of producers tar surpasses in importance
any of the others. Ii we can show that the
condition of the farmers and planters Is an
improving one it will follow that a correspond
iny improyemcnt will before long be manifest
IN the general trade of the country. When
we sneak of men in masses Of millions, as We
mast in discussing the affairs of such ma
ton ~ the United States, we necessarily have
to disregard a multitude of exceptions to the
general rule. Taking the farmers and planters
as class we do say that there is ample
statistical proof of the fact that they
are better off tn IN they have been at any time
for three years past We point IN the nis'
place to the quantities of wheat, corn, cotton,
beef, pork cheese, hams, and bacon exported
in the second place 10 the prices obtained Tor
those articles not at the port of New-fork.
but at the places where they were produced,
for the farmer has had the advantage for over
a year Of internal freights low beyond prece-
dent III the third place to the lower rate OF
wages at which farmers and planters have ihis
year procured their Labor; and i'll the fourth
place TO the fac; which naturally follows from
lh, three already mentioned, that the I'M
ports OF tea, coffee, and sugar have been
larger in the fiscal year ended with June
last than in any previous year III the MS
10Y OF the country. In her dealings with
the United States Great Britain has proved
a goo customer. While our imports from the
British Isles have been enormously curtailed,
orr exports to those regions have greatly in
creased since the close of the year 1872. In
either one Of the three calendar years 1873,
1874, and 1875, we have found market for
more grain in Great Britain than We ever did
before. Much of that grain has gone to reduce
indebtedness, hut nevertheless the farmers who
produced it have been paid for it, and well
paid for it, too.
Another favorable circumstance IN the con-
dition of trade throughout the United States Is
the absence of speculation. Probably there
is no important article whose price is now
up' cid beyond fair level by the competition
OF SPECTATORS. The demand that al present
exists for merchandise and manufactures car
be depended on to continue and to grow,
because it comes almost direct from the
consumer The population of the Union
is now in round number; forty-five millions,
and it is Increasing at the rate OF about two
and half per cent per annum, and mach
faster than that in the great agricultural
States OF the West. Under such circumstances
of prosperity and increase of the agricultural
population, how long can the market for cot
ton goods remain glutted at the present low
priccsH 1t must, within 10 very distant
period, feel the increased consumption. AT
the same time. we are bound to say that there
are no grounds for expecting a revival OF
speculation. Since the telegraph has united
the business world, speculation does not play
the part If formerly did in trade and com
merce Hence, the slow and almost imper-
ceptible steps by which busincs' rcyives where
it is not too heavily weighted by debts ana
taxes.
We cannot think it out of place TO urge
economy on those who are in debt, from the
MayOr, Aldermen, and COmmOndlty OF the City
of New olk down to That man who merely
owes his grocer and tailor. Prompt payment
is quite as conducive to the welfare of bust
ness as large purchases. We believe ut Til,
very time that nothing would tend more
ST ongly to bring about good times than re-
duction of taxes, and the only honest way to
reduce taxes is TO cut down expenditure