New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-02
THE NEW YEARS OPPORTUNITIES

The new working year which DcGlho 'V-u'l
Nill be happy or Otherwise according 10 the
good sense employed in conducting analrs'
Good sense by law makers, good sense by en-
ployers and employed, good sense by thderS
and SPECTATORS, good sense by investors ana
managers of corporations, will probably make
this a wear of general prosperity ana great
progress
Cannot the Lawmakers at Washington defer
contcuding on points about which the two
houses are certain to disagree, ana pass during
The remainder of the short session, one or two
simnle measures about which there Is SUD-
stantial agreement? The revenue can be- ana
all parties agree that it ought to be- 10 some
extent reduced, and part OF the reduction hluSO
be made by abatement of internal taxes Inc
misunderstanding or demonstration apouI
woolcns and worsteds, about SIX lioDOhS anu
4 few other matters, all parties agree ought 10
no corrected Cannot some OF these things DC
done without waiting for another Congress-
80 that evils likely to be felt next sprlng may
he avoided? 1t is not to be expected that the
nrescut House will depart radically from the
position it has taken. But possibly 1t may nave
the good sense to do some OF the things II Is
willing to do, without insisting upon others
which cannot be done.
Cannot employers and employed use such
coed sense in their mutual relations during the
coming year that waSteful struggles may be
avoided? A list Of few Of the more impor-
tant strikes in 1888 shows that about lOO,OOO
men were out of work, averaging month ana
4 half each. or about / 80 900 months. heck-
oning the wages at Il moderate figure, at least
s12. 100000 were lost by the men in these
STRUGGLES. Of which nearly all resulted in no
advantage to them. in some OF the most I'M
portant the. fault was with the employers DuO
nearly all could have been avoided by the eNcr-
else Of little good sense ON both sides May
there not be- during the year which now he-
rims. q general effort by employers and en-
Moved to agree peacefully wherever it is pos
sible. and with that object to refrain from eA-
travagant, harsh, unnecessary or unreasonable
demands on either side? Mutual consideration
and kindness will help both workers and en-
ployers many millions in single year. and pay
larger dividends than any other Investment
Good sense would lead traders Of all sorts
10 refrain during the coming year from efforts
to cocroo markets and prices by sheer force OF
money. and by purchases without regard 10
legitimate demands In 1888 many such spec
ulations disturbed business, injuring both pro
ducers and consumers. and most OF them also
ended in disaster to the spectators OF traders
who tried to make profits not by observing
and following. but ny defying natural condi-
tions Of demand and supply. Among the new
resolutions BETTING the new year lew would
promisc more beneficial results than deter
mination to obey the laws of trade.
Investors have been bringing good sense TO
hear upon managers Of railroad corporations
with some effect and it may well be hoped
that the wear will witness a radical change III
tho conduct Of transporting companies. Sen
sible men will not forget that there are grave
difficulties resulting from the construction Of
too many competing roads, which cannot De
Immediately overcome. They Will not forget
eitbor that tho spirit Of Western legislation
is certain to be much affected by the course
If railroads regarding freight charges But n
very large proportion of the railroad troubles
which have disturbed business and deprived
stock and bend holders Of fair returns could
be avoided by stopping the management Of
railroads by irresponsible agents or by olncials
for speculative objects.
The new year opens with bright prospects
because there is ground for hope that III many
Of the directions indicated general prosperity
will be promoted by Wise action but II
everybody takes it for granted that there Is
going to be a glorious boom, and that he can
afford entirely to disregard good sense and the
rights Of others because the rest Of the people
will behave reasonably, the year Will not an
swer expectations