The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-10-18
GREAT INTERESTS In THE BAL
ANCE.

1t would be exceedingly interesting
were it possible ITO estimate the ae-
gregate of the interests that are now
trembling In the balance waiting the
result of the election in November. We
do not refer either to personal or party
interests, or to the, effect upon great
financial institutions. We have in mind
only what are commonly understood
as the business interests of the coun--
try; the business of factories, the farm
ers and merchants in all parts of the
country. 1t is not only true that invest
ment is at a standstill until future
conditions are so well settled as to
make it safe, but it is equally true that
commerce in all it's varied forms is
simply waiting today, with one hand
pressed upon the lever that is to move
and stimulate industries, to know
whether the engine shall be started
forward or reversed.
We noted the other day. in
report of commercial tray-
eler who had visited his customers
in various cities Of South Dakota, that
he received a certain number Of orders
from merchants for stocks of goods tn
be sent in any event, and a large num-
Der of heavy additional orders which
were to be filed in case of McKlniey,s
election, and to be Cancelled If Bryan
should be successful. Now, this is a
type of the actual situation of affairs
the country over. 1t is not a political
argument, 1t is a business fact. We
do not even consider here whether it
Is rational or foolish. All that we are
concerned with for the present is that
1t is the truth, and that it is a meas
ure of the effect that will be produced
upon the public by the event Of the
presidential election
Diminishing the merits of the cues
ton for the moment, it is admitted by
all parties that the triumph of free sill
yer would mean business revolution.
Everything would be placed upon
different foundation. All kinds of bust
ness would have to establish new rules
and accommodate, themselves to the
new order of things. The transfer from
the gold standard. to the silver stand
ard, even were 1t admittedly beneficial
could not be- effected without a huge
disturbance. Noasueh change is ever
made without uncertainty and loss. or
course, production and consumption
buying and selling would continue I'M
der the new system They would have
TO De done, however, upon a new basis.
Until that actually existed, and men
had learned by experience on what
terms they could best do business with
silver instead of gold as the standard
every prudent man would do as little
as possible. He must necessarily make
some mistakes 1t wouYd be to his in
terest to have those plumbers affecy
as small volume of trade as possible.
On the other hand if the gold stand
ard is to be maintained, we know to
what we must look forward. All bust
ness operations would be conducted ac-
cording to familiar methods and their
results could be computed accurately in
advance. The period of depression and
it's successor. the period Of uncertain
ty. have now prevailed for so long that
consumption has o,overhauled produc-
ton to a considerable extent. All sorts
of stocks ofesmerehandise have been
drawn upon Heavily. and the country
is ready for a1vast activity in all de-
partments of business There is work
and plenty Of It for factories to do.
there are thousands Of buyers simply
waiting theirFctinre. until they know
Whether they are to hay arc eel ON