The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-09-08
rFrom the Boston Advertiser, September a.

tic meetings" are the order Of the day
and night.
fFrom the Boston Advertiser, September 81
The Dawn OF Better Times.
The evidences that the tide has really
TUNED, and that we are really entering
upon n season of business prosperity,
are too numerous and convincing to be
longer neglected. The test afforded BY
the amount Of clearings at the banks in
the great cities is, perhaps, the Ft in
dication Of the aggregate amountof bu-
siness transactions, and they show that
there has been an actual increase in the |
quantity fgood bought and sold since the
decrease Of clsarings is a small percent
age than is the average decline in prices.
What is thus indirectly proved of the
whole volume Of trade is confirmed by
the reports of individual merchants and
Of trade organization in various branch
"a Of commerce. The demand is better,
prices are frmer, sales are larger than
they have been before since the panic Of
1878. There has been general settle
ment Of accounts, the weak houses have
dropped out or have been reorganized on
a better basis, and the way has been pre-
pared for really healthy trade. The
promise Of the future is all the better
when we consider the times at which the
improvement begins. II is quite unusual
for business to be good in the midst of
great political canvass, least Of all during
the most active period Of the Presidential
campaign. We may, therefore, presume
that the sudden recovery is to be &C.
counted for by the best Of reasons, and
that 1t is decidedly likely TO be lasting,
when we see II occur at the most unfav-
orable season, on general principles, that
has been since the depression came upon
us.
We have no expectation that the sea
son Of prosperity Will be unbroken by
temporary periodt of slack trade. Nor
do we suppose that the complete recovery
all hope for will restore wealth as rapid
ly as the panic wiped it out. What the
FIRE destroys in an hour can only be re-
built in months or years Of hard work.
The failure Of general confidence, to the
influence of which 40 many evils have
been attributed, il as disastrous to wealth
a. n FIRE, and the restoration Of conf
dence only brings the opportunity to
win back or TO recreste that which has
been alienated or annihilated. We have
now simply arrived at the time when
honest industry may receive its reward
when the ordinary foresight Of the mer-
chant can be trusted without the extra
ordinary risks Of going astray which ex
irt when consumption IL capricious and
prices are accordingly unsettled and
huctuating. This is peculiarly the time
when men need to free themselves of all
delusions and all false hopes. There is
great danger that many merchants will
look too confidently for events that will
never occur. II they expect speedy
return OF the flush times that preceded
the panic, they will assuredly be disap-
pointed. II they speculate in hope OF
an advance in prices at all to be CON-
pared with the decline that has taken
place; they will lose money. If they
resume the extravaganza of manage
ment that contributed so largely to the
collapse that occurred three years ago
this month, they will only lay the found
alton Of structure that will fall as did
that which they are now compelled to
rebuild. But # they recognize the ur
gent necessity for prudence, lesson
which the depression was calculated to
impress upon them, il they practice the
economy that has been enforced during
three years Of hard times, il they can
content themselves with safe and pro.
fi,abls business, and resist the tempta.
tions to q wildly speculative trade, they
will have no reason to complain that
honest endurance to earn living goes
unrewarded.
The change in the situation gives new
interest to certain labor problems.-
Wages have been very generally and
very largely reduced, because the prices
that have been obtainable for goods did
not warrant the payment Of so much
The cheapening Of production by tn,
means Of this reduction has no doub
been one Of the most important Of th,
Influences that have operated to brin,
about the change we are all rejoicing
ovorse Now the question arises whether
or not labor Is to sbar, in the renewed
bright prospsrts> of trade, and if SO, Il
what extent. There are symptoms tha
In some districts the operative class doe
not purpose TO wait long for restoration
Of the old ,rse~yf wages Undoubtedl,
the employed should have fair share o
the advantages OF revival Of business
But just as they were not. forced to worl
for less than the old rates Immediately
upon manufacturing becoming unprofit
able, 80 now il 10 not unreasonable tha
they should wsitluniil Il is evident tha
the revival is genuine and lasting. In
judicious agitation at the present tim
may rpoil all that 10 now hoped for
while n few months Of waiting may de
mcnstrate the permanence Of the resior
alton Of activity in our business, an,
then any just claim oflabor will recelv,
che full support Of the community.