Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-04-22
BUSINESS OUTLOOK.
The Revival that Is Now Being Felt
IN EVery Department of Trade
Figures and Facts that Must
Encourage Business
Men.

New 1ork Sun: 1.-THE revival which il
now beginning to appear in business makes
itself, perhaps, most apparent in the iron
industry. From all parts of the country in
which they are numerous, we hear reports of
heaithtul state OF activity in the foundries,
and the promise that the year is to be one IA
yorable to the trade. The starting up of this
industry, which supplies the means and con-
trlVances on which nearly all branches of
manufacture so largely depend, is an epcou1-
aging indication that the wheels of our fac
torres are again turning with rapidity. The
shoe and leather industry of Massachusetts
IS also qulckenlng, and trade in Boston
takes on hveIer appearance in conse-
quence. The low prices of cotton and wool
favor the manufacture of textile fab
rles, but the extraordinary great decline in
the value OF their products during the last
TWO years makes profits small and the dan
gers OF the business great, and some of the
largest companies have been obliged to pass
their dividends. Manu- iacturing, as q whole
however, shows decided Improvement. and
the growing reliance of the country On home
production to the neglect of foreign fabrics
and manufactures, and the increasing if stiIl
comparatively small, expectation of onr
goods, are hopeful signs. 1t cannot, how.
ever, be denied that the recent rapid and nm
paralleled success in placing the government
four per cents furnishes an indication which
does not point toward any very great and
widespread revival of business enterprise.
Money would not go so cheap if trade was
brisk and the rewards of commerce and
manufacture were such as to invite invest.
ments: We observe, on the other hand, that
there is large and steady decrease in the
number OF business failures and in the total
OF the liabilities of the suspended or bank
rupt firms. The repeal of the bankrupt law
helps to reduce these figures; for prior to
Its removal from the statutes, the weak and
shattered firms hurried to take ADVANTAGES of
its provisions, and business was relieved Of |
an element of doubt and uncertainty. Still. |
it must be acknowledged that there is pre, |
Vailing an unaccountable distrust of the |
credit of mercantile buyers, which hampers |
the revival of trade. The total failures in |
this country for the quarter ending the first |
OF this month Is reported as being only two |
five hundred and twenty four. |
against three thousand three hundred and |
for the same period last year. The |
proportonate falling off IN the amount of
liabilities OF the bankrupt firms is much
greater-forty three million dollars in 1879,
against elghty-two million dollars In 1878.
Inc reports OF the retail trade in the CITY
indicates that it is improving, and the hotels
bear witness that the number of strangers in
New York Is now very large. The season
VI the spring retail shopping has begun, and
{ throngs the counters of the principal and
most popular shops. There is an Unusual
ariety of tasteful fabrics displayed at small
rIces, and when the sun at last shines stead
y upon us, we shall see the promenades gay
nth women arrayed in the brighter plumage
spring"