News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-08-06
Business Prospects.

Inefe are some signs on the DuSi-
ness horizon affording hope of i'm
provement in the situation. EXchang-
es in various centres denote increased
animation, to which considerable sig
nifcance is attached, especially as il
appears in the heat of midsummer,
and at a period usually marked by
partial stagnation, even in prosper
Gus times. 1t is not well to be over
sanguine, and extremely imprudent to
, magnify the extent of the business re-
vival. Yet our depressed industries
sorely need encouragement, and the
effect of an intelligent forecast of ia
yorable indications cannot fail to be
beneficial. 1t must be apparent to
the most casual observer that the con-
ditions are such as to favor trade i'm
proyement. The country has reached
financial hardpan. Failures have be-
come few in number, the shaky coz
Germs having long ago submitted to
the stress they were unable to resist.
Money is abundant and cheap. Com
modities are at bottom prices. All
that is needed is the restoration of
confidence, that subtle barometer of
the business world. This seems to be
gradually returning, if the reports of
exchange can be relied upon. A
group of quotations from leading trade
journals, representing points so wide
ly distributed as New York, Boston,
Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and San
Francisco, lies before US. The tone
of all the comments is hopeful to a
degree, and illustrations of the drift
of business are given. In cases
where there is little immediate i'm
provement, it is assumed that the fall
business will be large and satisfacto-
ry. On every side there is DISPOSE
ton to grasp present chances and
make ready for something better in
the future.
AS regards the grain harvests,
which bear very important relation
to the business situation, the outlook
is daily becoming more cheering. The
wheat crop will be a short one as
compared with last year, but the ON
inous predictions made early in the
season are not likely to be fulfilled.
The best authorities now put the total
crop at not less than 365,00O,00 |
bushels. This will be ample to sup
ply home needs, which will not require
more than 300,O00,000 bushels, and |
leave surplus for export of about |
Go, 100000. There is still a large |
stock of last years grain in store,
probably not far from 100,000,000 |
bushels. All fear of a wheat famine
for the coming year may as well be
at once as groundless and |
absurd. We shall have enough and |
to spare, and il is far more certain |
that we shall have grain to sell, than
it is that the foreign countries will |
be ready to buy. Good crops, how
ever, are like the replenished streams |
that start the machinery in motion. |
Assured of full supply of food |
stuffs to be got to market, the wheels
of trade will turn more willingly and |
an impetus will be given to business
that must have most salutary effect. |
There are rumors of speedy adj |
justment Of the railroad differences
that have had such depressing eff
feet upon the stock market, and the
increased activity and advance in
prices in Wall street give some color
If probability to the reports. While
he effect of compromise of the diff
iculties will be felt chiefly and most
directly upon the roads Immediately
there is no doubt that ben
eficial results must accrue TO the mar
let generally, from removal of caus-
IS of constant friction, depression
and unsettlement of values.
Two dangers are still recognized,
md could the apprehensions of the
business world on these points be al
aged, the establishment of confidence
would very quickly follow. Uncer-
ainty as to tariff and silver legisla- l
ion by Congress is now the chief
ource of anxiety. Until this is re-
moved it is needless to hope for per-
lament business stability and ac-
witty.