New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-31
LESSONS OF EXPERIENCE.

The Democrats have one advantage III 'i''
coming election They have prostri'ed 'hc III
dustrles of the country SO terribly that All! pu>'
NOES NJ all seems "A remarkable gain. They nave
kent business under the harrow so long 'h''
everybody feels inclined 10 say Thank you
hccause they have quit even though ON! lor Il
little while And then they threatened ana 'rie"
70 do SO much mischief that the country Is happ!
because they did not do more. The thlef VINO
considered his opportunity and was amazed
that hc did not steal more doubtless had VIC
fins who rcioiccd with wonder At his modera-
ton.
The harm that has been done men are eager
for tho moment 10 forget. They want to get 10
worl, again. and until they find ont whether 'hoy
can with profit they will not know what to
charge the Democratic party for It's perform
,,cns That they have Il rather large bill 10
collect. though most of them realize, ana IN
month or two they will send IT in. Just now
their ioy is that of the householder. who mas
NJ last got out Of the place the most dilatoFy
incopahlc and swindling workmcn that ever
made the heart sick. A little later they VIII be
angry: lust now the prevailing sentiment Is
relief with thankfulness that die scamps did not
stay longer and do worse.
while 1t is q poor kind If stream that does
NOT make a flood when the dam gives way
After n wears waiting. the millions who have
honcht rs little as possible ought TO buy some
thing. and presumably will. Last fall they did
noxt TO nothing: this fall the season IS almost
over with very little done: and the people who
have not bought the usual clothes. bo9S. ha'S'
cornots. furniture. tools and utensils because 1t
I'm. -ft11S
to make things lively If they all buy n once
though only part. We shall probably FIND That
some Of them cannot buy much ihiS year. for
with half work or no work FUNDS are app 10
run low. Then others will complain that prices
do not 90 down as much as Democrats PROMISED
and will think mcany Of the retailers ana
wait little longer But the rcsiduum OF buvlhs
ought 10 De enough 10 raise business lor uIhe
much above the natural level
II the working force Is AL employed for n
time. but at only four ifths OF the wages palh
two wears ago the buying would naturally be
ONLY fourfifths Of the full volume except for til"
deferred business Crowding into a month or
TWO ONLY part Of the deferred business OF
wear. with the new business naturally arising.
should lift the volume enough to gladden. the
hearts Of many waiting merchants. Aftcrward
will come the abatement. when NJ rush of post
poncd buying has passed. and when men bcglh
10 see what American goods are supplan'cd by
foreign If some Of the mills begin To close
about that time 1t will not be surprising. Blt
those are wscst VIII, get In with all Their
energy TO make hay while the sun shines. ana
the cntcIprisng men who seize the opportunity
and realize that it will not wait for them al
ways. may reach Thanksgiving with hearf
attuncd 10 the occasion.
II is idle TO ignore the fact that considerable
part of the working force Is not employed rs
vet and there is no certainty that II Will he
this year Many of those employed are not
working full time. and nearly all are receiving
reduced wages. If prices are lower. the dollar
will go further than il did but large part OF the
living expenses will not be thus reduced. R"n's
do not 90 down at once, nor retail prices OF most
articles Of food in towns and cities, nor wages
| of domestic service aud meanwhile sugar Will
cost more and also whlskcy for some people
Men will have an opportunity TO learn during
the coming months whether II was true. as
Democratic politicians have asserted so con
stantly. that the Mckinley tariff enhanced the
cost Of everything from the cradle TO the grave
and they will probably begin 10 ask why their
expenses Of living are reduced so much less
than their wages. The experience VIII be 10
some millions Of people cmncnty instructive.