The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-02-06

he last fifteen years have proved so
rue as to command wide attention, pub
ishes the following letter for 1890 in the
New York Record and Guide:
predict that prices for iron and rail
'oad stocks will advance and be consid-
srably higher in 1890 than in 1889, and
hat 1890 will be the most prosperous
year for the iron trade, railroads, and
for general business since 1881.
Iron is the most useful of all metals
it is the monarch of all business. the ba-
rometer of commerce.; it is the the great
Jupiter of trade, and when the iron in
dustry is prosperous, so is the general
business of this country.
| am we'll aware that my prediction,
made last January, of the upward ten
dency of iron and better business for the
year 1880, was considered by many per
sons as premature and would bea fail
ure. The continued low prices had
made them discouraged. Yet we have
seen the prediction verified-iron has
stea lily advanced Since the middle of
February.
The cause and major question which
made the turning point from CONNER
cial depression to activity in trade was
the outcome of the election of 1888,
which turned the tide in the minds of a
majority of business men at the time,
although the turn in business affairs
was not apparent until some time
later. However, it was scarcely a month
after the Inauguration of Gen. Harrison
when the decline i'll iron ceased, de-
cline that had brought about a wide
spread stagnation in the iron world.
A restoration of confidence in the flu
ture has resulted in enlarged trade and
in an increase of the industries of our
country, making a lively continued de-
mand for iron. A revival in general
business stimulates the iron trade, and
rising iron market is the best evidence
of it and that it will continue.
The aggregate grain and cotton crops
of the past year are the largest in the
history of this country, which is an i'm
portant factor for promoting profitable
and voluminous trade, and no doubt
was the foundation for the extensive
business done during the closing months
of 1889. Yet the advance i'll iron had
commenced several months before the
extent and outcome of the crops We're
known.
The only adverse contingency that the
most chronic pessimist can argue against
the bright business outlook is tight
money-yet money is plenty everywhere
for legitimate purposes; the banks i'll
Ohio are overlooking with funds, some
of them refuse to pay interest on long
time deposits.
As we look to the general government
for our supply of currency, to increase
its volume is plain sailing. Congress
should direct the Secretary of the Treas
for silver bullion as fast as business ex-
pands.
The business outlook for 1890 is buoy
ant for a general revival of trade. We
may look in any direction and behold
granaries bursting with the products of
the land, factories employed to their
fullest capacity, the hum of industry is
now heard where year ago all was as
silent as the tomb.
Railroads were never more prosperous;
they are unifying and consolidating their
lines with immense traffic, and reaching
out in all directions with new roads to
accommodate the increasing business.
There will be a boom in railroad stocks
this year.
The mining industry will feel the IA
vorabie influence the coming spring; the
increased demand for coal, ore and other
minerals, with the revival and activity
in general trade, will employ the full
capacity of the labor of this country;
the demand for labor will increase, max
ing wages higher.
The growing winter wheat has a favor
able start. which is an indication of a
large crop of wheat the coming summer.
The crops of foreign countries are
short and below an average, which will
make a demand for our surplus grain
and p DIVISIONS.
The balance of trade is in our favor.
We observe, as result of the brilliant
outlook, that there is a universal scram-
BILE for property. British syndicates are
sending their money to this country by
the millions to buy our breweries, dis
tilleries, nail mills, flour mills, cotton
and wooden factories. oil, ore and coal
lands, furnaces, elevators, and all else
they can invest in where there is IA pros
pect of reasonable profit.
All Europe is excited about the scar
city of iron, and where the supply is to
come from to meet the requirements of
railway extension and military opera
tions in the old countries. Prices have
been advancing in England more rapidly
than in this country.
We are now in all era of commercial
activity unequaled in the annals tf
trade.
A production of ten millions of tons of
pig iron will not supply the demand for
1890. No. pig iron will be low at $50
per ton. The price will advance above
that figure this year.
The growth of the United States is re-
markabe.
Sixty-five millions of people.
Four hundred millions acres of i'm
proved and cultivated land.
Two hundred thousands miles of rail
way.
A billion and a. half of good none y in
circulation.
A network of electric wires from ocean
to ocean, and profusion of all the ele
ments of wealth.
The progress and improvements ia
commerce, manufacturers and agriculture
surpass anything known in the worlds
history.
LIQUOR HAB-
IT--In all the World There is but
one cure, DR.. Haines' Golden
Specific.
1t can be given in cup of tea or coffee,
without the knowledge of the person
taking 1t, eifectIng IA speedily and perma-
nent cure, whether the patient is a mod
crate drinker or an alcoholic wreck.
Thousands of drunkards have been cured
who have taken the Golden Specific in
their coffee without their knowledge,
l. 4