Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1890-12-19
THE FINANCIAL SITUATION.

The financial situation in this coun-
try at the present time is not rose
tinted. On the contrary, in the minds
of many well-informed persons, what
is already a grave state OF affairs Is
quite likely to become alarming, and
a great panic is not among the im-
probabilities. The experience of the
past few months seems to show that
the near future may well justify APP
prehensions Of serious character.
There has scarcely been a day in
which some heavy failure has not
been announced Some OF the firms
that have stood the storms of fifty
years have been unable to weather
the gale even in this its early stages.
AS single example Of the present
state OF affairs, it may be mentioned
that last week there were BAT failures
in the United States as against 200 for
the corresponding week OF the proceed
ing year.
There are various opinions as TO the
causes of the difficulty. 1t seems to be
conceded that the lack Of confidence
that business men feel in each other
and, we believe, also in the govern
ment-is one cause. Another is that
the volume OF currency is not sutfi-
cient for the transaction of the bust
ness of the country. AS to the first
cause. it seems plausible enough that
men should distrust each other when
the house that stands among the
first to-day has its doors closed to-
morrow. Neither can we be sur
prised at the lack Of confidence in the
government. The financial policy OF
the administration has not been such
as to command implicit faith. Indeed
no one can tell just what sort OF a
policy the administration has. Tink-
ering with the finances has been the
order OF the past year. Secretary
Window has tinkered and Congress
has tinkered until the patchwork
can scarcely hold together. Even
now the Senate will not let go the
Force bill 80 that legislation Of the
proper character may be discussed
and enacted The partisanship OF
the Republicans has, in our opinion,
much to do with the present trouble.
They have been so busy with partl-
san measures. so inteht on political
schemes, that they have had no time
for maxim. laws for the welfare OF
the common country. Their neglect
OF the nations business is simply
bearing it's natural fruit, and the
people should hold the majority in
the present Congress responsible.
1t is undoubtedly fact that the
money now in circulation is INSULT
cient. Secretary Window has been
doing what he could to Offset this by
buying up bonds at an enormous pre-
MUM, paying interest in advance,
and putting money out i'll every way
possible. This has, however, been
like pouring water in a rat hole. 1t
has not accomplished any good what
ever. Those who have money are
boarding it up for some reason or
other, and refuse to put it in the reg
ular channels of trade. So, with
ready money very scarce, and paper
looked upon with distrust and sus-
picion, il is no wonder that our bust.
ness outlook is shaky.
AS to the remedy for the trouble, iit
is hard to say what will work out the
proper result. We believe it is inevi
table that matters will become worse
before they become better. We look
for a severe financial thunder storm
before the business atmosphere be-
comes purified.