The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1893-09-23
GOOD TINES COMING.

1t is not surprising that after sue
cessful administration of national af-
fairs for more than thirty years by the
Republican party change to Demo-
cratic policy should create distrust
among fnanclers and capitalists, and
this is simply the condition of affairs
that the country is now experiencing.
Under protection industries of all
kinds fourished, wages appreciated,
and the nation was phenomenally
prosperous; but, last November, all
the factors which had made the coun-
try wealthy were attempted to be
voted out of existence by the adoption
of the principles of the Chicago plat
form, which declared that all tariff
bills should be repealed. This was a
complete reversal of the plan hereto
fore followed, and was certain to re-
suit disastrously. 1t was not to be
expected that those who had money
invested in large manufacturing in
dustries would wait and see whether
the Democratic congress were sincere
in the promises made to the country
during the campaign, and allow them
selves to become bankrupt when free
trade was inaugurated. Ordinsry
business foresight impelled them to re-
trench at once, and this retrsnchment
caused the whole fabric of trade to be
shaken to its foundation. These are
the causes which have led to the
financial distress that has been suf-
fered for few months past, and the
quicker they are understood the sooner
will relief come.
From this view of the case the pessi-
mist has no foundation for the predic-
tion that the turning point in the ma
tional career has been reached, and
that, hereafter it will be necessary to
exercise more economy in all depart
ments; that values will never again
reach their former level; that wage
earners and all classes of consumers
must retrench expenditures, and that
the present distress is simply the re-
suit of the lew of contraction to
normal condition from undue imitation.
1t may be true that in some instances
our people bave been extravagant in
their habits, and that the practice of
economy will be beneficial; but if in
fiation of values and extravegance in
expenditures were the causes of fnan-
cial depression the effects would have
been felt long age, and the dire results
would not have been experienced so
suddenly. The country is not nearly |
developed, and there are natural re-
sources enough to support more than
double the present population. If
there we're as many people to the
square mile as in some of the coun-
tries of Europe the pessimistic theory
might prevail; but when the large ex-
tent Of territory uninhabited, the fac
tors of wealth undeveloped, and the
diversified industries now in operation
are taken into consideration it falls to
the ground. There are millions of
acres of rich land to. be culti-
waited, deposits Of the precious metals
to be mined, and manufactures which |
can yet be established before over
production in any line is reached. In
stead of imitation the United States
has not yet reached normal condi- |
tion, consistent with national maturity, |
and viii not, perhaps, for many
decades.
It Is not we'll to look on the dark |
side of the picture, and there is no
reason for so doing. There Is a
brighter future for the republic than
any realized in the past. The country
will increase its population and its
sources of wealth, and the people will
again be prosperous and happy. If
congress will re-establish public con-
fdence by passing joint resolution
that the tariff will not be repealed, in
less than six months factories would
run on full time, wage-earners would
receive good wages, and business
would again be on the same solid basis
it was year ago under Harrison
and protection.
The editor of the San jose Mercury,
for publishing proceedings of the su-
perior court, was fined 500. On an
appeal being taken to the supreme
court, this action was overruled, and
The editor was released from the 6ne.
This is according to proper definition
of freedom of the press, and proceed
ngs of courts should be matter of
legitimate news.