The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-05-25
AND DEMOCRAT BT.OOMsBURG, COLUMBIA COUNTY, PA.
The Condition ofTrade.

There are several obvious causes for
dull retail trade this spring, but they
do not indicate any positive revulson
in business circles. The season has
been most unpropitious for spring trade
for the simple reason that we have had
no spring. What should have been the
spring season and make activity in the
large and generally dffused spring
trade, proved to be the lingering of
winter and the inevitable s,agnation OF
the large trade that ouly spring can
create. We shall now plunge sudden
ly into summer, aud the lost spring
trade is gone beyond recall. What af-
fects one important branch of trade,
more or less affects all, and not only
the manufacturer, the wholesaler and
the retailer of spring goods have felt
the effects of the unfavorable season,
but every branch of the retail trade has
been measurably affected in like man
ncr.
Another cause of stagnation in the
retail trade is overproduction and con
sequent revulsion in several of our most
important industries. We have largely
overproduced iron ; we are largely over
producing coal, and we are largely
overproducing in some of our fabrics.
Overproduction gradually but surely
forces reduced prices for products, re-
duced wages for labor, the suspension
of factories. the enforced idleness of
labor, the inability of consumers To pay.
and revulsion comes quickly in the sen.
sitive chords of trade. Nor is the eff
fects of overproduction limited at pres
ent to its substantial results There is
foolish apprehension abroad of gener-
al financial revulsion and that commands
all classes since the yet fresbly-remem.
bered bitter experience that followed
the panic of 1878. Speculative bears
are constantly predicting revulsion as
they hope to profit by it, and small
speculators who have been sheared to
nakedness by the great gamblers, croak
about revulsion and disaster because
they have gambled themselves into bank
ruptcy.
The true solution of the present ten
porary stagnation in the retail trade of
the country, is the safe, conservative
feeling of the people generally y and their
determined purpose to keep the country
upon the sound financial basis it now
enjoys There is no rational ground
for business revulsion. The balance of
trade is in favor of our people the crops
Of last year were the largest ever
known the fields are green with the
promise of another bountiful harvest
our agricultural people, the great foun-
dation of the nations prosperity, are
more free from debt than at any time
since the initiation of war, and our me
chanical and laboring classes are living
within their means There have been
failures, but almost wholly in specula-
tive circles, and the exceptions have
been few channels whicn are crippled
by overproduction but the country,
taken as whole, has never been on
sounder basis than now, and if it con
sumes less just at this time, it is because
it is necessary to enable the people to
consume more in the early future and
pay for it. There is nothing in the
present dullness of trade to cause ap
prehension of continued and greater
stagnation. The causes are temporary
and will speedily correct themselves.
and every channel of trade will become
healthier and better because the people
sensibly take purse even at shadows and
wait until their exact latitude can be
taken. A country that sells more than
it buys and that has general freedom
from debt among its people, has every
assurance of substantial and enduring
prosperity. Times.