Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1880-10-14
From a Business Standpoint.

Business men are intelligent. They arr
capable of doing their own thinking
They are not likely to be influenced
largely by campaign claptrap, nor car
they be blinded by wide appeals or par
tisan prejudice to the situation in which
they are placed. They feel, furthermore
that they are far more interested in the
progress and prosperity of the country
than in the success of any political party
as such. Party is an instrument, as
they view it, to take care of the interests
of the country, and that includes theil
individual welfare. They do business tc
make money, not to lose it, and the con-
dition of public affairs that is most fa-
vorable to the business they are engaged
in is that which they desire. That diff
ferent views are taken by different men
is true. All men do not think alike, and
consequently all men do not act alike,
but our proposition is true, nevertheless
There is now in this country, in con-
nection with politics, a very extraordi-
nary state of affairs. The contest in
wolves business more fully than at any
former period in the history of the ma
tion, and upon the result of this contest
the result of industrial pursuits depends
more largely than at any former period.
Business men know this. They do not
know it through the newspapers, or
through public speakers, but from their
own personal observations. 1t is no
news to them, therefore, to be told that
there is at this time, in business and
financial circles, very uneasy feeling.
Every merchant, every manufacturer,
and every banker knows 1t. The ceun-
try was never in a more prosperous con-
dition than it has been this season. Mon
ey is abundant and cheap, yet the banks
are at this time fortifying. They are
curtailing their discounts. They prefer
to accumulate idle money rather than
expand. Why is this? Men do not
hoist an umbrella to protect them from
rain when the sky is clear. Yet now.
in the apparent sunshine of prosperity,
capitalists are preparing for probable
trouble This feeling naturally extends
to the counting room of the merchants
and manufacturers, and through them
workingmen are alarmed, until feeling
of uneasiness has spread through the
community. A lively demand for gold
has also sprung up. A few weeks ago
in payment of checks or claims was al
most to insult him. Now gold is disap-
pearing into hiding places, and how
much has thus disappeared within the
last few weeks would, if it could be ac-
curately stated, surprise the public.
Thus the business barometer denotes
danger.
Glance from business circles to the
New York stock market, and the same
nervous feeling is observable. The rail
road earnings of the country were never
larger than at present. The natural
is favorable to strong mar
ket, yet the market is weak. 1t is in
suspense. And all this is attributable
TO the political situation. Why is this d? |
What difference does it make to the bus
mess interests whether Garfield or Han
cock shall be elected President? or
the Democratic or Republican
party shall succeed? Ordinarily it would
make little or no difference. But mani
testify this is not regarted by business
men as an ordinary contest. No matter
what politicians may say about it, this is
he view the substantial interests of the
country have come to take of the mat
er. and they govern themselves accord
ngly. They can not be argued out of it.
There is the stubborn fact.
OF course those intelligent interests
re governed by reason. They have
eason now for the opinions they enter
ain, and those opinions are backed by
heir actions. Men do no sacrifice their |
interests for sentiment. What, then, are 7
be reasons?
The country is now prosperous. All S