The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-09-02
Tho Opening Of Autumn.

Inc opening OF autumn.
September has come in after O summer Of
extraordinary disturbances in nature and
in the world Of business and industry.
The storms and floods have been remark
able for their frequency. and for the loss OF
life and destruction OF property caused by
them. Meantime. parallel devastation has
occurred in market values. and labor has
suffered grievously from the paralysis OF
trade and manufacture. In the Union as a
whole. probably million wage earners are
out OF employment to-day.
The summer. however. has been remark
able also for its good fortune. Herein New
York. the health Of the community has
been higher and the death rate lower
than usual In the warm season. Contagious
diseases have decreased. No signs Of any
approaching epidemic are discovered or dis
coverable. The fears that the European chol-
era OF last year would be revived in greater
virulence and would threaten the lives Of
this community have not yet been justified:
and the health officers OF the port are not
alarmed for the future. In the town itself
and In the harbor. the most efficient means
of preventing its inroads have been provid-
ed. The city is clean. and the quarantine is
vigilantly guarded. No pestilence Is likely
to come near US; and that Is the worst en-
envy from which this crowded population
could suffer. New York has the vigor OF
health with which to withstand the conse-
quences OF industrial distress.
That distress Is real. but SO far it has
been OF short duration. 1t has occurred.
too. at a season when the climate renders
the people best able to bear it. when the
means Of life are cheap. and some depriva-
ton can be endured with least discomfort.
Moreover. it succeeds time of extra
ordinary prosperity when labor was en-
ployed more generally and at higher
wages than ever before. Other prices
had gone down, but the price of labor
had advanced. The business disturbance.
too. came suddenly and not as a conse-
quence of slow exhaustion. The people
were the better prepared to sustain the mis-
fortune because Of their long previous
good fortune. The malady Frustrated bust
ness when it was In sound health. and its
recuperative power strong.
Proportonately. actual restitution has
not increased greatly enough to show itself
much more conspicuously than usual in the
statistics OF the numerous and diligent
CIldIlJdDl6 bOClcLlcS. l1OWoNel SIedJ ~ may
become, provisions for its relief will not be
lacking. The sentiment OF charity and OF
sympathy for suffering Is so keen and wide
spread in New York. and it Is 80 eager to
manifest itself in practical philanthropy.
that 1t rushes to take advantage Of any OPP
portunity for its exercise.
The distress Is not likely to be OF the long
continuance which would afford the unfor-
tunate occasion for this philanthropic zeal.
Already the signs Of recuperation begin
to appear, and it Is not improbable that the
business activity Of the autumn will
speedily relieve the suffering of the labor
market. Short stocks must be supplied. the
European demand for our breadstuffs will
be large. and the senseless scare which has
caused the boarding Of currency will soon
have passed away. with the result OF letting
loose the money for lack OF which trade and
enterprise have languished.
The outlook may not be brilliant. but 1t Is
good. Undoubtedly an Industrial revolution
is coming. but 1t will take place by the free
will Of the people. indeed by their emphatic
command. and with the conviction Of the vast
majority of tho workers that it Is necessary
for their permanent welfare. Protection de-
clared unconstitutional is to be destroyed
root and branch. The people have decreed
that the power ofthe Government shall not
be used for the upbuilding Of any particular
GLASS Of industry; that the taxes shall be
collected solely for the support Of an eco
nomically administered Government. and
with no direct or indirect purpose OF help
ing or retardlng any citizen in his labor or
business.
Such q revolution involves radical re-
adjustment Of trade and manufacturing
conditions. 1t will affect every business.
bringing possibly lower scale of
wages. and also lower prices all around
as a compensation for them: but that is
not a misfortune. 1t is simply obedience to
the popular will proclaimed after q thorough
discussion and complete understanding
Of the consequences involved.
This Is an epoch in trade. finance. and
manufacture. The country is putting away
old methods. and is adopting new ones.
Some friction Is sure to occur until the new
machinery has been properly balanced
and adjusted. but eventually 1t will move
smoothly and efficiently.