The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-10-22
BE OF GOOD CHEER.

##
In his able paper on "Montana anc
the silver states during the recent
panic" read before the assembled bank
ers Of the United States, Mr.. E. D. Edg.
erton, Of this city, declared that "~affairs
In Montana will settle and adjust them
selves within a short time to a new and
better condition"
Mr.. Edgerton's declaration is already
proving true. The panic, so far as Mon
tana is concerned, passed long ago, and
the attendant scare has subsidized. All
over the state business is again in its
natural condition, though under a thew
and better condition" Our people have
had their first experience in hard times,
and the lesson learned negatives the
possibility Of a like experience in the
future. Business will henceforth be
conducted with more regard to laws of
commerce and trade, and our great en-
terprises will not be retarded, but facil-
itated and established more firmly than
over.
Be Of good cheer, men and women OF
Montana! The dark cloud of depression
that once lowered over our great state
Is being rapidly dispelled by the rising
sun of renewed activity and revivinp
confidence. The worst that can happen
to u great silver mining interests has
already happened and it's force is spent.
All over the state mining operations
are reviving, business is picking up, pay
rolls are being augmented, and before
long hard times will be a tradition, and
In another year forgotten.
Thus much for the state, justified by
by the encouraging reports that come
to us through the newspapers of the
various communities and by report of
their citizens who come to Helena from
time to time.
For Helena we can speak In positive
terms and cheering. Business with our
merchants is within a mighty small frac-
ton Of what it was a year ago. Consid-
ering the loss Of population 1t is fully
as good, and some merchants report
trade up to the average, despite the de-
crease in number Of people. Our mer-
chants have bought large stocks of ele-
giant and costly fall and winter goods
and their customers are calling for prac-
t,cally the same quality Of materials they
have been accustomed to getting, and
vastly more of them are paying spot
cash; not because credit could not be
extended, but because they have the
money and can get better bargains for
cash. Our grocery stores, furniture
stores and hardware stores are doing
good business in their lines, receiving
large orders for staples and luxuries.
Fortunately for Helena most of the
people out of employment who had not
money enough saved to carry them along
until they could again secure work left
the city at once. There are but few idle
mon in the city who want work. Our
people have money enough to go through
the winter in comfort, and the spring is
bound to witness a great revival of bust
ness in all lines.
The great smelter at East Helena is
running full time with its usual compile
ment Of men. The mines that furnish
the ores it treats are working all the men
they can employ. Work is progressing
on two important railroads that next
year will bring Helena into close relation
with two Of the richest sections of the
state. The Montana Midland will o n
meet us with White Sulphur Springs and
Castle, the Montana Southern will con
meet us with Dillon and Virginia City
And the Burlington will be running
trains into Helena in less than a year
The Montana National and the FRS
National will be doing their usual ire.
mendous banking business in a few
weeks, and the dawn of 1894 will find
Helena with her prestige regained an6
Increased.
Be of good cheer, men and women Of
Helena!