The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-01-13
rHg SOUTH AND WEST COMPARED

THE sOUTH AND WEST COMPARED.
The Manufacturers Record, Of Baltimore,
has done much 10 promote the development
Of the South, not only by its alertness ana
enterprise in laying before the public every
kind of information that throws light on the
progress which has been made, but by a
spirit OF supreme hopefulness which would
often trench upon the lines of visionary
optimism but for the fact tnat 1t is practi-
cally impossible to eXaggerate the material
prospects Of the Southern States. The pa
triotic exultatiOn Of the Record when II
rings the changes on the brilliant promise
Of the future of this section, Is amply lusti-
fed by the coolest calculation of the count
less resources In every form which the
South possesses.
In its last issue, our contemporary pre-
sents without comment, a tabulated state
ment Of the respective positions now occu-
pled In a economic way by the West Onclu-
ding the NorthwesD and the South, and the
deductions 10 be drawn from this statement
are so favorable TO the South, that any an
CANT, as 10 the prosperity TO which this sec
ton must attain, are within the range OF
probability. 1t will be interesting TO mem
tion few OF the more prominent details re-
ferred TO by the Record.
At this time, for instance, very impor-
tsnt part OF the West is threatened with
one OF the most extensive and sanguinary
Indian ware that has ever broken out M
this country at any period OF its history.
The South, on the other hand, is from the
Potomac 10 the Rio Grsnde in a state of
profound peace, its people quietly engaged
IN pursuing their usual occupations.
From all sections Of the far West are com
ing reports Of severe Billiards, while in the
South mild and equable climate is express
ing itself In warm rains or cheerful sun
shine.
Mortgages are weighing down the West
ern lands. and breaking the spirits of the
Western farmers. The Southern lands are
comparatively free from debt.
A majority Of Western products are sell
ing at prices that leave no margin for profit.
sugar, rice, tobacco, fruits and vegetables
are commanding such handsome returns
that II was largely due to the prices obtain
able for these products that the recent
stringency IN the money market did not end
in q disastrous panic.
The West and Northwest are remote from
the principal American markets as well as
from the chief markets abroad. The South
IL near 10 all the markets Of the North, and
lies directly upon The vast Atlantic water
way that leads 10 all the markets Of Europe.
The population OF the West il made up Of
peoples drawn from every nationality, aud
in consequence Is heterogeneous and antago-
nistic. The white population of the South
10 homogeneous, and II possesses In the
negro race population which IL can
use 20 the highest industrial advantage I'M
der the quiet and conservative order OF
things now prevailing.
The iron furnaces Of the West are already, |
In many instances, reported 10 be going out
OF blast. New furnaces are being erected
In the South 10 meet the increased demand
for the conversion into iron and steel OF the
enormous additions 10 the amount Of ore
that are beips constantly made by the open
ing up OF new mines.
While the industrial interests OF the West
n re declining, those OF the Southern States
are on the eve OF a development which is
altogether unprecedented In the history OF
The United States.
These are only a few Of the details In
which the south at the present hour enjoys I