The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-04-18
THE BUSINESS OUTLOOK.

The Pittsburgh Dispatch is informed
by the merchants of that city that while
bushes is somewhat improved it is not
as brisk and lively as is desired. 1t adds
however, that one OF the best evidences
of business reviving is found in the in
creased receipts OF most of our railroads.
The railroads are row doing q larger
business than they have done for two
years, and this increase is sn encourag-
ing indication of revival in commerce.
Notwithstanding these encouraging
signs, there is general uncasiness, to
use the mildest phrase, pervading all
classes of business. There seems to be an
underlined and paralyzing apprehension
of coming disaster, and hope and conf
dence do not hold as firm places in the
hearts of business people as they ought to.
Of course there are reasons for this, and
yet in many cases a definite reason can
not be given for this underlined apprehen-
siev feeling. One cause may be found in
the fact that during the last three months
the number of failures of business firms
have somewhat increased. According to
a statement prepared by DUNN's Mer-
camille Agency, the number of failures
during tho first :hree months of the pres
ent year was 2,S06, against 1888 for the
corresponding period of last year, with
liabilities amounting TO S64,644.15G'
against sSs,s7S, 222.
These figures do not give much en-
enlargement to the belief that a return
to prosperity is any nearer, except in a
point of time, than it was year ago
But this increase in failures may be ac-
counted for upon the theory that tho
men who demonstrate their lack of success
by failing are the only ones who make
money these hard times. BY purchasing
their assets from their creditors at low
figures a sufficient capital is not unire-
quently yielded to continue IN business.
The condition of the Bankrupt Law is
such that creditors are often compelled
to yield to the solicitations of debtors for
compromise OF their Indebtedness, and
thus the chances tor the success Of up
right and capable business men are di.
minished by the failure and subsequent
settlement at trifing dividend of the
weak IN capacity and the poor in CAPT.
tai.
In speaking of the consequences of
liberal settlements upon the parties
most benefited the New York
Shoe and Leather Reporter says:
"a ready and discriminate accept
ance Of any proposition Of compro-
mise is dangerous expedient. The !
dread of failure and the gloomy conse-
Quence It involves ought 10 be one Of the |
most etiestual checks against improvi
dence and resklessness in trade. With |
al tue shteSuatus suat can De lnterpoSed, |
the propensity to overtrade and speca.
late brings alb ut an annual harvest of |
But if it gets to be under
stood that when man stops pay meut he |
has only to settle up as best
he may and go on again, the dismay
which the thought of bankruptcy occa.
,ions will soon become merely senti-
mental. And the comparative ease with
which he has passsd through the trying
ordeal encourages aim to incur fresh
hazards which are very likely to bring
him to the same late once more. The
,eocnd collapse 10 much less Notifying
han the fret, and, If after that anything
yoes wrong, why, the interruption gets
o be Q matter Of course and is endured
nth positive complacency."
So after considering both sides of the
ase we must conclude that thsa-saheI
'usiness out look is more encouraging
han few months ago, and good deal
{ the apprehensive fears of the business
'orld is groundless.