Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1893-08-18
THE HOME SITUATION,
How II Looks with Ones Cheerful
Glasses On.
business Isn't Booming, but there Are
bright Tones I'm the Picture

RusIness Isn't Booming, but there are
bright Tones I'm the Picture.
In time like the present. when the
pewsnapers are filled with a continued sto-
nv of the hard times and business depres-
sion and when everybody catches the IN
lection. and takes the bad times for grant
ed. and discusses the situation in more or
less lupubrious way, it is good time 10
look the ground over, take account OF
stock. and see what can be said on tine
cheerful side of the question. To begin
with. we presume that no one will dispute
the truth of the statement that there
are few towns of its size that have felt the
pincb of the prevailing stringency so little
as has BrattlebOro. 1t is true that busl-
ness is not booming, the outlook is not
very rose-colOred, and nobody, outside the
brewery, is expecting to get rich the COM
inc wear. But on the other hand we have
no reason to anticipate disaster, either for
the community or to individuals. The
trade of the stores in all lines of business
is taking about its usual course in the duli
summer months. The banks are taking
care of their customers, the manufacturers
are doing their best to keep their men at
work. and the men are getting their pay in
good money.
The Estey Organ company, with their
business connections reaching the country
over. are inevitably feeling the stress which
has fallen on every business interest, ana
orders are not coming in at such llvely
pace, nor are collections as easy as they
were a year ago when, at this very time,
the celebration OF the manufacture OF their
250. 0O0th organ was the talk Of the day.
But there is no likelihood of any such
T. q,
the present time the company is running
its factories by departments, advancing the
work on the orders in hand step by step,
calling in the men in the several shops in
rotation. Ii is at a time like this that the
benefits of the companys large foreign
trade, and the far-sighted wisdom of its
establishment, are realized. 1t is just at
this time of year, fortunately, that the for
eign orders begin TO come in. They are
now being received in good volume, and
they will continue until December. There
is sure to be certain amount of home
trade, and so the wheels of this great in
dustry will be kept moving, and every OPP
portunity will be used to tide over the peri
cd of depression.
The Carpenter Organ company is work
ing on fair number of orders and in
stead of going into the dumps is glad that
affairs are no worse. Were it not for the
general depression 5. A. Smith Il Co.
would regard their business about as good
as usual at this season. They have cur
tailed their help somewhat, but not to a
great extent. 1t has been their custom TO
shut down for a short time at midsummer
for repairs and overhauling of machinery,
and they will probably soon close for this
purpose, but the break will not be a long
one With the general stagnation of trade
which prevails the overall companies find
the demand for their goods lessened, and
they will have to do like other manufact-
urers in their line-wait for the demand to
catch up with production.
In one respect Brattleboro is especially
fortunate. Its banks are above suspicion.
We have already said that the national
banks are taking care of their Gus toners
just as usual, and meeting all legitimate
demands. They refuse to be drawn into
outside ventures, and by the wise previ-
sion of their managers they have not suf-
fered, or allowed their customers TO suffer.
from the dearth of currency which has
carried that commodity to a premium of
from S25 up to as high as $50 on a thou
sand in some of the large cities. No saw
ings bank depOsitor questions for an in
sldul the stCuIlll VI MS money. bOIn
banks are as nearly impregnable as such
institutions can be; and the banks, in their
turn, are fortunate in having class of de-
positors who could not be led or frighten-
ed into an insane, panic-stricken run"
There is certainly credit side to the hard
times account.
The chances are that the farmers will be
better off than any other class this fall.
The season is a good one for them. The
hay crop, which is their standby and chief
money-getter, is exceptionally good. 1t is
above the average in quantity and the
great bulk of it has been put in the barns
without drop of rain on it. Potatoes.
which were failure year ago, are look
ing tine, and there is very little appearance
OF blight. Corn, though late in starting,
has come on in splendid shape. The APP
pie crop runs in streaks, but there will be
fruit enough to supply the local demand.
and some TO spare. With the condition of
things at the West the probability is that
Vermont farmers will have full the usual
amount of money in their pockets. when
winter comes, TO show for their seasons
work.
Looking the future squarely in the face.
the fact is that nobody anticipates any
sudden revival of business. we don't
know of Brattleboro business man who
thinks the repeal of the silver law would
set things right. 1t would make money
easier, but a declaration from Congress-
that the tariff should not be touched while
the depression continues would count for
ten times as much. When the turn comes
the improvement will be slow. People will
have to be fed and clothed, just as they al
ways do, but merchants will buy cautious
ly, preferring to live from hand to mouth
rather than to pay the jobbers for piles of
goods to be left ON their counters. A large
concern like Crosby q Co., instead of in
creasing their credits and trying to extend
their trade, will content themselves with
taking care of their regular cash-paying
customers. This very prudence, which
everybody will observe, will in the end re-
store confidence and set the wheels of busi-
ness in motion. Gradually we shall oct
nsed to the situation and find that the bot
tom hasn't dropped out of the universe
Few OF us will be likely to grow wealthy
TINS coming year, and an equally small
number will have to go to the poor-house
IL Is good time to practice patience and
iorOearance; TO pay your small bills and
let the money travel till it gets around into
your own pocket again-and then Won can
pay some more bills with il. 1t is also
good time to cultivate a littla oan,,;,o -.