Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-07-12
What is Killing Business.

The question is one that interests ev-
cry person. AS to the fact there is no
dispute. Business is very much de-
pressed. There is large amount of ac-
cumulated capital and surplus money
in the country; but it is not seeking in
vestment in productive enterprise. Gov
eminent bonds are going off rapidly at
a per cent, but active enterprise is al
most at standstill. Times are not as
hard as they were three. years, two
years or one year ago, but they are still
hard. There has been a decided and
preceptible improvement in business,
but there is still room for more. Why
business does not revive more rapidly
is question that concerns every person
alike, whether he be debtor or credit
or, an employer or employee, a pauper or
a capitalist All are equally interested
in having restoration of business pros
perity, and the question why it does not
come is one which touches the business
and the bosoms of ALL Is it owing to
lack Of enterprise or the elements
of prosperity among us? Certainly not,
TOR no country possesses greater re-
sources, and no people greater capacity
for developing and utilizing them than
this country and people, Ia it owing to
the heavy burden of taxation borne by
the people? That can hardly be, for
business has prospered and nations have
grown wealthy under heavier taxation
than the American people are now bear
ing. Is it due to any inherent fault or
weakness in the government? Certain
ly not, for after all il said the govern
ment of the United States is one of the
mildest and most heneficent in the world,
if not beyond comparison the most so.
Is it the result of unwisc OF severe leg
islation? Again, we say certainly not,
for system of legislation that has
steadily maintained and strengthened
the credit of the nation cannot have
been injurious to individuals or to bust
ness. Is it caused, as is so freely and
frequently charged, by contraction of
the currency? No; for there is more
government currency in circulation now
than there was before the panic of 1873,
and the money centers of the country
are glutted with unemployed funds.
What, then, is killing business?
This is what is doing it, viz the
growth of communism, the agitation of
the inhatiOnists, and the threatening at
titude of the Democrats in Congress.
All of these cases are operating in the
same direction, and together they are
killing business by alarming capital and
retarding the growth of confidence
The communists, the infationists, the
Nationals, the repudiationists and the
Democrats are natural allies, and to-
gether they represent the aggregate in
Auence which is making capital timid,
preventing its investment in active en-
terprises, keeping up the rate of inter-
est and preventing revival of business.
What manufacturer would be fool
enough to enlarge his operations, what
capitalist would be idiot enough to in
vest his money IN active enterprises, or
who that has money to lend would care
to lend it when the communists are
threatening TO rise in dozen cities;
when the infationists are clamoring for
an unlimited issue Of greenbacks; when
the Nationals are holding State conven-
tons to denounce creditmongcrs and
demand an Issue of legal-tender fiat
money" and when the Democrats in
Congress are pushing forward a scheme
to Mexicanize the government? These
are the men and the influences which
are killing business.
If the American people want genu-
inc and healthy restoration of business
they must resolutely attack and crush
this hydraheaded monster, which, under
the various names of communism, infa-
ton, National Greepbackism and De-
mocracy, is killing business and threat
ening the existence of the government.
-Indioaopolis Journal.