Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-03-21
nailp Acnmcbct journal.
Augusta, Friday Morning, Mar, 81, 1879,
From the New York Times.
Business Prospects.

1t has for some time been plain to those
who have watched the most Obvious signs
ef the condition of business. that the vol
ume of exchanges has steadily increased
since the opening of the year. This ha~
been particularly shown by the reports of
the clearinghouse of the principal cities,
which. with certain reserves that are not
difficult to make, reflect with substantial
accuracy the amount of general payments
made. Our readers will find in the cN-
tensiye series Of reports which we publish
this morning from our correspondents in
every section of the country. very cncou-
aging confirmation of the general indira-
ton to which we have referred. and also
much detailed information aS 10 the cond-
ton of special industries and special see
tons
From the interior of orr own state the
reports are cheerful. The important crops
of Central New York are in Il promising
condition. The iobbers in the larger dis
tributng cities. whose trade is OF a ma@ni
tON' IpU S'htldllN dII'l'N i"t''' 7AN 'li'
not only is the extent of their transactions
increasing, but that the retailers show u
more hopeful spirit. and that collections
are more readily and promptly made.
Manufacturers are of like temper. Iron
mills that have been idle or running on
half time are rcsUmng. and have orders
far ahead. Boot and shoe shops are pre-
pairing for an increased demand of from ~
t. 80 per cent. Building i being pushed
to an extent quite unknown. In Ohio, the
acreage devoted TO wheat is estimated to
have increased some Is per cent. though
the fruit crop is unpromsing. The trade
with the South and the interior trade Of
the cities in the State is larger by from 10
to % per cent. than last year. The pork
packers. for the first time in four years
are reaping profit from their ventures
The iron manufacturers are rnnning on
full time, with orders in advance of their
capacity. In Indiana. the rolling mills
lumber dealers. and machinery maker,
are actively occupied while the iobbing
trade is fair, and collections are good
The only drawback is in the danger of dis
turbing legislation by the dcmagogic leg
islature which was the product of the Ma
tonal' craze. From Chicago, the most
encouraging sign, afi>t from an active
emigration to the West. the decided cN-
tension Of cultivated laul-. and the de-
mand for machinery. building materials,
and supplies. Jobber, estimate the vol
ume of trade in the ordinary line, at from
- to 20 per cent larger than last year.
while there IS a very decided Improvement
in payments.
In Michigan. the lumber INTEREST," i, pros
porous and active the general manutlc-
lures the same, the iron interest very
much depressed. iobbing fair, and collcc-
tons generally much improved Wi>con.
sin reports are particularly emphatic as to
nearly every line Of business Minnesota
accounts are equally 50, especially with
reference to the milling interest. Louis
vile and the South generally have felt the
than was expected and there are many in
dications that the approaching season will
be more prosperous than any of the last
six years.
Several general facts stand out from the
mass of details which are given by our cor
respondents, and which we have briefly
summarized. One is that credit through
out the country is relatively in sound
condition. Goods are sold on somewhat
shorter time, more care is exercised both
in making debts and giving credit, pay
ments are more prompt failures are be-
coming far less frequent. In connection
with this fact may be noted an almost en-
tire absence of speculative spirit. ,Iobbers
are selling more of staple and serviceable
goods and less of Injuries. are selling in
smaller lots, but more frequently, aud pur-
chasers show a decided tendency to take
the advantage to be had from buying cheap
for cash. Another important feature in
the situation i, that business men, when
questioned in regard to their prospects.
have nothing to say in regard to the gov
eminent finances or the currency. except
10 express Il uniform hope that Congress
will not do anything to interfere with the
present policy. There is not a trace.
among substantial business men, Of COM
plant in regard to forced resumption. "
or Of lack OF currency sufficient to the
wants of trade or of any of the evils
which the Ewing democrats assure Us are
grinding the people in poverty and despair
The business men Of the country realize
that they are in better situation to take
care Of themselves than for many wears.
and that they are SO in great degree be-
cause they are not obliged TO include in
their calculations the probable or possible
consequences Of governmental action
which they can neither control nor fore
see. 1t is true that the abstention Of the
government from Interference with bust
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