Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-10-17
4aiIp Aennebet Journal.
Augusta, Friday Morning, Oct. II, 1879.
Improvement i'm Business.

improvement III BUSINESS.
Improvement in business is the feature
of the present times. II has become so
patent that only chronic croakers attempt
to deny it. The improvement began in
the great money centres, and has spread
until it has reached nearly every part OF
the country. Our cotton and WOODEN fac
tories were the first in this State to catch
the breeze OF coming prosperity. They
have been running busily the most of the
time for year past and making fail
profit. Now other branches of business
and occupations are feeling the favorable
influence. Those engaged in trade are
wearing sunny faces as they begin to mark
up the prices oftheir goods and wares and
to find brisker demand for them. More
money is stirring. 1t is coming out from the
places in which it has been hidden, temple,
by the suggestion that everything vii
soon be higher and that the present is tho
time to buy to advantage commodities an'
even real estate. Our shrewdest men VIII,
have ready means are not investing il
bonds at this time, but in property that
will rise in value on their hands.
Workers and dealers in iron are having
a good harvest. The rise in this article
alone has given an impetus to business un-
known to people in general. A wooden
manufacturer told us recently that to this
cause much of the activity in the wooden
mills is due. The vast army of workmen
employed in the business have now the
means to buy and clothe themselves bet
ter, hence comes a brisker demand for
wooden goods and of a better grade also.
Already it is said vessels have advanced
considerably in price owing to the same
cause. All the effects of this cause in pro-
ducing greater activity in business it is
impossible TO trace, they are so wide
spreading and numerous.
The boom of renewed industry is call
ing into activity all our shipping. YES
sells are in demand. Freights are rising.
There are cargoes to be brought inward
as well as carried outward. Ocean steam
ers cannot do the carrying now required
to be done between this and foreign coun-
tries. Ship-buiiders and ship-owners are
feeling better than they have for many
years. The problem, how to revive our
navigation, will not trouble statesmen or
politicians after the close Of this year.
A rise in real estate is certain to follow
the improvement in business. 1t has not
perhaps come hereabouts yet, but it is as
certain to come as that we have had rise
in cotton. or flour or iron. 1t has come to
New York and Boston, and is travelling
"down east" with no uncertain steps.
Young man, if you think of buying a
farm, or lumber lot, or saw mill, now is
the time to do it. Pay no attention to
what demagogues say about over-taxation
and all that, but plant yourself and your
money on some of the places offered for
sale at cheap prices. They will never be
any less in price, they will probably be
worth more at no very distant day, if they
are properly managed.
This country has an immense crop this
year, with large surplus to be sent
abroad to other countries where crops
have failed. Gold is coming over the
ocean in every steamer from Europe. The
business at the clearing house in New
York last week amounted to the enormous
sum of $965, 200, 900, twice as much as
for the corresponding week last year.
This gives some idea of the increase and
bulk of business. The greatest danger
threatening us is speculation. There is
already powerful tendency in that direc.
ton. The prudent man however will
avoid the temptation, and his careful in.
vestments will not be mistakes, for bust.
ness is not only improving but all signs
point to series of years of prosperity.