Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-02-16
The Business Outlook.

AS we approach the season OF the spring
trade there is more speculation in regard to
the prospects of trade, and consequently OF
industry, in every quarter. Will there De q
larger trade with more satisfactory results
than have been realized during the past two
years? The general opinion in business cir
cles is that much more satisfactory season
is at hand. There is q general feeling OF
hopefulness and of courage, which, if they
do not amount to confidence, must precede
it. There are encouraging indications in
nearly every quarter. ''We had large trade
last month, was the statement of leading
merchant, whose firm does a very large BUSH
ness, "and the indications are favorable for
large trade during the next few months"
II am confident that business is grad
uaily picking up" was the response of an
other prominent selling agent; ''the improve
ment is slow. but those who watch cannot
fail to observe it." These expressions repre-
sent the general feeling and sentiment in the
leading lres of trade and production to-day.
The leading industries of New England may
be said to be active, and the quite general adj
vance Of wages in the textile industries must
be accepted as a sure indication that there is
already change for the better or that one is
believed to be near at hand. Goods are low
er now than year ago, nevertheless prices
have been advanced. This is said to be trIe
of textiles, boots and shoes, ETC., while the
prices of all kinds of iron are at least firm,
with an increasing demand. Railroad con-
struction, which has been almost at stand
still for three years or more. will be revived
this season, the latest estimate being that
10000 miles will be built in the United States
during the year 1886, which is three times
the amount that was constructed last year.
Large locomotive works which have been idle
for some time have recently been started up,
with two-thirds their working force on full
time. All these are helpful indications, be-
cause the more fully the wage earners are
employed the larger must be the consump-
ton of the products af labor and capital, and
full capacity for consumption ALWAYS means
prosperity in business. Manufacturers
of the higher grades Of worsted and
wooden goods complain that the low
prices at which importers are selling
their products in our markets are Interior
ing with their trade. This is believed to be
due to the fraud of differentiation which is
now attracting the attention of manufacturers
and honest importers. The settlement of the
silver question upon some basis which would
remove all uncertainty would help the situa
ton, but there appears to be growing feel
ing that our general good luck will continue
and that this matter will find solution which
will not be disastrous. Producers have gen.
orally settled down to the belief that Con-
gress will not radically change the tariff or
do ANYTHING else to injure the business of the
country.
Such are the opinions which those who
consult prominent manufacturers and mer-
chants obtain. They are, on the whole, en-
couraging if they are not confident and en-
thusiastic. Boston Journal.
If New York city had been looted from
Union Square to Central Park by mob,
which had smashed the leading clubhouse
windows on Fifth Avenue and Quilted many
private residences and shops,-all without
loss of life or serious effort to maintain order,
the British press would have been shocked
by the difficulty of maintaining order in a
republic. Yet we question very much wheth-
er the mayor of New York would di|ly-dally
with a savage mob like that which ravened in
London on Monday. Would he not have
patroled the streets with militia, and if nee
| essary given the rioters a dose from Cat
ling gun? Even in Seattle, in the far north
western corner of the republic, civil order has
reasserted itself by the aid of a few files OF
militia. The London riot is the most damaging
blow civil authority all over the world has re-
ceived for II long time. 1t will make it more
difficult to govern every city under the sun.
The London police seem to have spent their
day, not in protecting persons and property
but in trying to restrain the mob from hurt
ing themselves. A more disgraceful exhibit
ton of utter inefficiency in the government
has not occurred since the draft riots Of New
York. The London authorities seem to have
had no troops at their command, no general
ship and no plan except to let the mob weary
themselves out with excuses Springfield
Republican.