The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-12-03
Montanas were sold at prices ranging
from S4.121 to $3.50. Choice mutton
sheep quoted at 81.
The Business Situation.
Boston Advertiser.)

Boston Advertiser.)
The common saying that there is no
such thing as complete rest applies as
truly to market prices as to tangible
materials. The present time, however,
seems to show as close an approach to a
decided pause as is often seen by bust
ness men. The situation is one of we'll
nigh universal expectancy. If the out
look be analysed, little is found in it to
cause nervousness, and much to justify
a hope that the coming year is to be one
of healthful activity, steady stimulated
by mutual discoveries of returning con-
fdence by manufacturers, exporters,
inventors and local traders. The remov-
al of the uncertainty of the presidential
election from among the elements of
disturbance is in itself a great advance,
and affords men the chance to estimate
more cody the true state Of the commu-
nifty. Then again, the past months
have accomplished a vast amount Of
liquidation. Poor credit has been weed
ed out in all parts of the country, and
business men now face each other with
much more than average knowledge of
each others true and mental
calibre.
1t may also be said with truth hat
the past year has seen an extensive re-
duction in supplies of manufactured
goods, until it is 10 be hoped that stock
on hand have reached a point where
fresh production is justified by the pro-
liability Of remunerative prices. And
it is certain hat successful yields of raw
materials and reductions in rates Of
wages and rents enable manufacturers
to operate their works on lower bases of
outlay than in the years that led up to
this period Of prostration.
In the money market, too, the ele-
ments of gloom are being dispelled. The
New York bank statements are such as
to justify the hope that the foundations
OF credit are now solid, and that foreign
and domestic capital is ready in large
amounts 10 take advantage of the first
sign of a natural revival Of confidence.
On Saturday the New York banks re-
ported a surplus reserve of thirty-seven
and one-half millions, against the three
and one-half millions in 1883, and q
deficit of $878, 900 in 1882, yet in the face
of such figures gold continues to be
shipped to this country from Europe.
Many railway and other securities
are certainly not selling at more than
their real worth, and some are quoted at
prices considerably lower than current
knowledge of their prospects would
seem to justify. The main causes which
have led to shrinkage in railway earn
ings are either now removable by COM
mon consent, or have diminished and
are already passed away. The crops to
be moved eastward and the immigrants
to be carried westward, both give assur-
ance of satisfactory receipts. As regards
immigrants, the state of Europe justifies
the expectation that the moment good
times are promised in this country, the
tide Of Immigration will begin to flow
with something Of it's suspended force.
England, Scotland and France especlaIly
are likely to increase their contributions
:. ye'ahor to U western lands during
1895.
Agar these. favorable signs there
are, of course, OILERS of the contrary
kind ia he considered. But on the
whole, a fair estimate of the condition
Of things the country over, lends to a
belief that there is no valid reason why
the present pause should not change
into d redevelopmesnt Of confidence.
Manipulation viii not accomplish this
end, ID ear it t14hg retard it, if once
the business W36rrld gets a firm hold on
the idea that good times are ahead.
DeYoung Recovering,