Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-03-27
Signs OF the Times.


Prom the Harrisburg Patriot
The increasing activity in commercial
and industrial affairs affords cheering
sign that the country is slowly but
surely recovering from the stagnation
OF recent years. The New York Times
has been collating reports of the pros.
poets of spring business in nearly all
portions OF the country. With few ex.
ceptions these reports show that the
farmers and merchants are looking
hopefully to the future and in almost
all departments of industry there is
renewed activity. The iron industry OF
Pennsylvania, which has been so much
prostrated since the crash Of 1873, is
daily improving. Within the last thirty
days the price of pig iron under the
stiff demand has advanced $l.50 ton.
In New York the great iron and steel
establishments, the "Onondago" and
''Sanderson," which have an annual
business of million dollars, report that
they have orders which will give them
full employment for long time. In
some of the great manufacturing estab.
lishments of New Jersey the men are
working overtime so AS to meet the
| rapidly accumulating orders. The man.
uiacturing towns OF Connecticut, Hart.
ford, Meriden, New Britain, ColIiusyile
with its axes, and Willamautic with its
woolen and linen manufactures are all
busy. In the west and northwest the
number of acres under cultivation has
considerably increased. The south, too,
shows cheering signs Of the improve.
ment in trade and industry.
While business activity il steadily
progressing the emigration Of super.
numerary workingmen TO the west is
making progress. IL Is estimated that
million and n half of men have cmi.
grated from the east 10 the west and
south within the last two or three years,
and the movement seems to be on the
increase. In Boston and New York
associations have been formed 10 assist
emigration with money and other aid.
The workingmen have themselves taken
the matter IN hand and have formed CO.
operative unions for founding colonies
in the west. without waiting for Hen.
drick Is. Wrights promised loan from
the government By thus relieving the
east OF its huperfluous working popula-
ton the condition OF its industrial peo.
pie is improved. There is greater de.
inand for their labor at better wages.
Reports from Europe show that asso.
oiB,ions have been formed there 10 en-.
courage immigration 10 the south aud
west ol this country, aud especially TO
Texas. The Mennonites in Kansas have
met with great succcSs in founding their
colonies.
Not only is emigration from Europe
to this country increasing. but the cAUi.
ialists Of the old world are recognizing
the superior advantages that are offered
here for investment In industrial under.
taking. The London Iron reports that
an association of English capitalists are
building great iron works in South
fittsbutg. Tennessee, and will soon be-
gin manufacturing operations. Anoth.
er English company is building similar
institutions IN Toronto. These are not
solitary operations but are signs of the
difficulty Of competing in England with
the iron manufacture of this country.
Another sign Of the times il the exien.
sion of the list Of expectations Of Amer.
lean products. The recent attempt of
the Reading railroad company to INTRO
duco anthracite coal into Italy and
Switzerland has met with much success.
ahHhAha'ttf AhhA VI hbF ht@N lHAliNN II
delivered in GeneFa at $40 a ton. and IL
acknowledged 10 be cheaper and better
than the French and German coal.
In the revival Of business, the absence
of the spirit Of wild speculation which /
marked the period that closed with the /
crash OF 1873. il one Of the most favor |
able signs Of the times. Trade is re-
establishing itself on sounder and Sc
ourer foundations, add the supply i /
regulated by a healthy demand. Re. /
sumption in putting an end 10 fluctua. |
tions IN the currency and securing /
steady measure OF value has contributed |
no small share 10 the improvement in |
business. Currency is in sufficient sup. |
ply for the demands OF regular and |
legitimate trade and among business |
men there is general indisposition TO |
disturb the existing monetary system |
unless IL be TO stop the excessive coin
age OF deprecated silver. If distrust- |
ing influences do not intervene conf. |
dcnce will soon be fully restored and |
the business Of the country will improve /
until ii is placed on q secure aud more |
prosperous footing than ever.