The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-09-28
The Business Outlook.

New York World, Sept. %.
The revival OF trade Is thing that has
been so anxiously locked for and has
been so long IN coming that there is u
general feeling of scepticism when It's
arrival Is indicated. Yet the eXpecta-
ton of better days is based on sound
common sense, and its fulflment is only
question of time. 1t is now four years
since the panic of 1873 Frustrated the
business and the industries of the coun-
try. The general shrinkage of values
and the general loss of confidence
throughout the East, West and South
parslyzed all enterprise. Unsound firms
and mismansged corporations failed one
after another, and those that were safe
contracted their operations, moved
Cautiously, avoided new schemes. Specu-
lation largely ceased, and the credit sys.
tenn, which is, whether fortunately or
unfortunately, the active principle OF
modern society, was contracted IN It's op-
perations. A manufacturer needing new
machinery put oil the purchase of 1t. A
merchant contemplating the opening up
of new department in trade postponed
rev house waited. The same tenden-
cy prevailed in regard to all expenditure
and In all Injuries of lite especially.
People watched, incurred no obligations
and took no risks. The result has been
the longest al d severest depression ever
telt in this country; but the inevitable
reaction appears to be at hend. Labor
has grown so cheap that capital is tempt
ed into use The tfuctustIng value of
money is so nearly settled At last that it
may be invested with some degree OF
certainty as to it's returns. The self-de-
nial and economy of four years have put
many families into a sound condition IL
nsnciallv; the lesson OF the panic has
prepared others to look with satisfaction
to the possibility Of life OF useful IN
dustry; and the people who have avoid.
ed building, buying new carpets, new
sofas and many luxuries, to say nothing
of articles OF comfort, are stepping into
the market. A plentiful harvest adds to
this telling OF general confidence and
hopetulnts;, and the South, so long over
whelmeded with poverty and despair, has
awakened to a lively participation 10 the
business of the country, appealing once
more Us n great customer IN the maniac
tories OF the North. In the world Of af-
fairs there is now a stirring OF the tides
of trade like the movement of the forces
of nature IN the early spring. The
change is perceptble even to the casual
observer in the action in our thorough
fares and the air OF our people. To test
the condition of things beneath this sp-
pearsnce OF prosperity we have taken
pains to collect the opinions OF our lead
ing merchants, shippers and railroad
men, and we present their views else
where in this mornings World. The
evidence which they submit gives the
ground of the belief, at least with US.
Messrs. Vanderbilt and levitt testify to
the increase in traffic on the great rail
roads which they control. Other gen.
tlemen, as well qualified 70 speak in
their own department, affirm that the
trade by steamers with Southern ports
is resuming Its old vitality and magni-
tude; and our dry-goods merchants say
that they are welcoming again their old
customers and filing old-fashloned
orders with anything but old-fashioned
goods. From all of which it would seem
that the good times are no longer COM
ing. but that they are already with US.