The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-03-20

occasions, to give place to machines. OF
course such fight would be futile, but
while it is going on our opportunity to
seize the world s markets will be greatest.
The other nations know very little of our
strength as a machine making and
machine-using people. They were in
troduced to it at the Centennial Exhibit
ton, and recently some Americans have
had their eyes opened. At the Paris Ex-
hibition Mr.. Edison fairly astonished
Europe, as she will be astonished in 9th
er directions when the facts are more
fully made known as to the practical de-
velopment of inventive genius in the
United States.
If we look back at our growth, the
prospect of the United States attaining
the first place as a manufacturing ma
ton, as in agriculture, is made more GER
tain. 1t may be taken for granted with
our area of arabic land, and with our
railway system and water courses, no
nation can compete with us in agricul-
ture until new continent is developed.
In leading manufactures we have grown
nearly to the station of England, are far
ahead of any other country. In 1878 the
United States produced but 1880 per
cent. of the pig iron of the world. In
1888 she produced 27.98 per cent and in
1889 a larger ratio. England during the
same period fell off from 1920 per cent.
to 34.05 per cent. Germany advanced
per cent. and France fell off. In the
manufacture of steel and it's products we
produced "a % per cent of the total sup
ply in 1878 and 1896 in 1888. During
that period England fell off from 36.41
per cent to 35. Is per cent Germany was
not greatly changed and France gained
little. In England, which is our chief
competitor, and will be in the coming
contest, it is more expensive each year
to make iron. The cost of raising coal
is getting to be SO heavy that it has
naturally added to the cost of making
iron. Bituminous coal in London is
higher than anthracite in Philadelphia,
and coke costs from IS to $40 per ton
delivered alongside in the Thames. Iron
is being made in Spain now with En-
glish coke which costs $12 per ton de-
livered. In this country exactly the re-
verse is the case. In the South there is
now being developed coal and iron ter
ritory on which iron can be made cheaper
than anywhere else.
THE POLITICAL ASPECT OF THE CASE.
But there are other considerations
which make it impossible for Europe to
compete with this country in the coming
race-the political question. In all the
densely populated countries of Europe
the struggle for bread was never greater.
Concessions to workingmen of all classes
have been made during the last few
years for political reasons-to prevent
agitations and to ensure the security of
the crowned heads. These concessions
in wages were miserable but they add to
the cost of production which is already
augmented by natural causes and at the
same time lessen and threaten the profit
and capital engaged. For year or
more the miners of Great Britain have
ruled their employers with an iron hand.
Their demands were Of necessity CON-
piled with in order that the wheels of
trade should not stop and to prevent
political agitation. In Germany the
government forced the employers of
labor to come to terms, which as bust
ness proposition were untenable and the
young emperor has more recently made
a feint in the direction of the ameliora-
ton of labor with the idea of strength
ening his throne and quieting noisy and
too numerous socialists. In England at
this time the mines in the Durham dis
trict are asking an advance of Is per
cent in wages. The net result of this is
that iron has recently sold for more
money in Glasgow and London than in
Philadelphia or Pittsburg, and that the
United States is on even terms with Eng
land in the worlds markets as far as
price is concerned. These and thous-
and other facts make it certain that
new era of prosperity is about open to
u.s. With the richest and most profita-
BILE of home markets, we are on the
point of gaining an entrance into wide
and remunerative foreign field.
The older nations, if there were no
other considerations could no longer
supply the world with manufactured
products, by reason of the rapid growth
of demand. The possibilities of the fu-
ture trade of South America during the
next ten or fifteen years can hardly be
measured. Thousands of miles of rail
road have been built in the South tenn
perate zone within the past ten years,
and thousands more will be built. A
new America, but South America, is
demanding the output of the workshops
of the world. But what of Africa and
Asia within the next quarter of a cen
fury? Means of transportation to the
riches of the former country are already
matter of necessity. Everything points
to a great growth in trade and new
and valuable addition in the near future
to our commerce and wealth.
ayers Medicines have been satisfac-
tory to me through my practice, especial
ly Ayers Cherry PICTORIAL, which has
been used by many of my patients, one
of whom says he knows it saved his
life. IF L. Morris, M. D., Brooklyn,
NY.
The Debt Commission.
A letter from Richmond says: 1.-THE
establishing of the debt commission has
attracted considerable attention in finan.
cial and political circles Senator Berry.
of Amherst, the chairman of the finance
committee of the State Senate, and as
such member of the commission, when
asked said: No, l do not think there
will be any meeting of the commission
until some intimation has been given
| that tho hnndhnldonc Y,