Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1894-01-20
TOUGH TIMES.

While Custer may not be said to be
ianguishing under the distressing intiu-
ences of the hard times that is being ex-
perienced In divers other less favored
localities, it is nevertheless painfully
apparent that her progress has been
materially retarded during the period
that has elapsed since the great finan-
cial panic came like a whitening blast
upon the country. While want and
destitution does not prevail in the COM
munity, there is however q marked dis
position on the part of the people to cnt
expenses to the minimum, which must
necessarily reduce, TO very consider
able ext mt. the volume Of business
transactions. Luxuries are largely ig-
nored. and the absolute necessaries Of
life are not INDUCED in by the masses as
recklessly as they were in the haIcyon
days Of the prosperous past. Economy,
forced as it has heen in many instances.
has become contagious. and rich and
poor alike are now giving the important
subject their earnest and most serious
consideration. The devoteee of fashion,
both male and female, are noticibly less
exac,ing IN the selection of their wear
ing apparel than they were in the gilded
period when dollars were as freely cir
culated as dimes are today. The
threadbare coat, or last winter tile,
which in those better days would have
been relegated TO the garret, are now
worn without the sembiance Of emhar-
rasment, as the exigencies Of the situa
tion have broken down the barriers and
rendered them comparatively fashion
able. To be abreast of the fashion at
this painful and pathetic period in our
national history is to be shabby, and in
the event of q continuance Of the great
it will doubtless be, TO be
shabbier. 1t is painful to think Of the
possibility, not to say probability, of the
times becoming even more deplorable
than they are at present, and yet there
is little foundation upon which 10 build
a hope that such will not be the case.
The only efficient remedy for the ills
that are now confronting us, is in the
inert hands of the peoples represent
atives, from whom speedy relief may
be set down as a forlorn
hope. Dull and depressing as the times
are at present, and dark aud gloomy as
the prospect for the future may appear,
the feeling Of encouragement should be
strongly and firmly resisted, and effort
On the part of our citizens 10 further the
Interests of the town should be increas-
ed rather than diminished. The re-
sources and advantages Of Custer are not
Effected by the ebb or flow Of CONNER
'ial tides; and all political parties are
alike pow erless to legislate them out of
existence. They are known TO be both
extensive and promising. and a proper
Effort on the part Of the commnnitv
voulu resuIr IN their early Development
ardeutly desired. This is not time to
sit idly down and give way TO forebod
Ings, but it is a time when we should
pnt our shoulders TO the tardy wheel of
progress, and by our renewed efforts
accelerate its pace over the rugged path
il has now encountered. Let us shake
off the lethargy that has taken posses
sion of us, as it has of the people of
many other localities, and by our works
declare TO despondent country that
Custer is in the race 10 stay, and that
come what will, she will stand by her
colors, if need be TO the crack of doom.
Now is the accepted time, not next
year, not next month or next week, but
now Is the time which may be safely
as Custer's opportunity. 1t is
idle to await the advent of good times in
the remote and uncertain hence, bat it
would be ia strict accord with the diet
ates of wisdom to put forth our earnest
and united effort i'm view of averting
the possible adverse results which might
otherwise come upon us by reason OF
the present exceedingly depressing, but
not hopeless condition of our public
and private affairs.
P.S. This is not calamity howl.
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