Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1896-07-02


some show OF reason. 1t is estimated
that there are nearly 4,0OO,0O0 riders
of the 'ssilent steed" now In this coun-
try, and that 100000 wheels will be
made and sold this year, at "A cost TO
the purchasers of from $4,000, 900 to
SIC, 200, 900. This money is in large
part diverted from other channels of
business. People save up for months,
economize on clothes, furniture, food,
amusements, to buy the coveted bicy-
Gle. The money remains in the country
of course, but this doesn't help the
butcher, the tailor, the cigar merchant,
the bookseller, the theatre manager,
and the rest who fail to get hold OF
their usual share. ANY sudden change
OF this kind in the channels Of expen-
diture by the people works confusion
until industry becomes adjusted TO it.
The bicycle undoubtedly has some
thing to do with the hard times, just
as the Worlds Fair had something to
do with them three years ago. 1t is a
pleasure to find even an auxiliary cause
that the politicians are not responsible
for.
Detroit Journal: The issue OF I'M
limited free coinage having been
forced upon the country, il is to be
hoped that the battle on that issue, rs
we'll as on the tariff, will be between
the two great parties this year, and
thus settled. From present indications
there is reason to believe that the
Democratic national convention will
declare for free silver at 16 to and
thus make unnecessary third party
ticket on that issue. This would sim
plify the situation, leaving the contest
to be fought out by the party OF pro-
lection and sound money on one side
and the party of free trade and free
silver on the other. 1t would be IA
square, open fight and with no disturb
ing side-show factors. The party Of
protection and sound money could 60
into it with full confidence in the re-
suit It's losses would be more than
Offset by its gains.
~.
The Oliver Iron and Steel company
of Pittsburg have, so it is said, increas-
ed the wages OF its employees 10 per
cent. The increase was not only vol
untary, but came unexpectedly to the
men, who number about 5000. The
company stated that it reduced wages
some time ago owing TO hard times
and slack business, and as business is
now much better 1t deems it only fair
to restore wages TO their former stand
ard. Such labor items as this make
pleasant reading, and remind the pes
simist that there is still little of the
old fashioned sentiment of justice be-
tween man and man left in the country
to blossom out occasionally in such
acts as this. 1t is safe To say that
there will be no strikes In the Oliver
Iron and Steel works at Pittsburg.
-.
| A correspondent vouches for the
following as true story: Edith"
said mother to her little year-old
daughter,"I want you to go into your
room, kneel down by your bed and ask
God to forgive you for being such
very naughty little girl" Edith did
as she was hidden land remained a long
time. When she came out her mother
said: Edith, did you ask God to for
give you for being such bad grip"
Eyes, mama" said the child, land
God said, Great Scott. know lots of
worser little girls than you are. -
Portland Observer.
-
"Ex-alderman and wholesale grocery
man O. A. Ball OF Grand Rapids who
had been announced as Republican
boiler says: Il still believe in bime.
tallism, as / have for several years,
but we certainly must have a protec-
could never be induced to give us that.
l am just as loyal to my party as ever
and my influence and work, so far as
they will effect anything or anybody,
may be counted upon for Mckinley and
Hobart and the balance of our ticket
when nominated"
~
Silver Republicans, gold standard
Republicans and Republicans who don't
care anything about the currency dis
cussion, can all unite on a platform
and a candidate that is pledged to pro-
lection and restoration OF prosperity,
which was the outcome of the ST. Louis
convention. Settle the tariff along
Mckinley lines and the money ques-
tion will take care Of itself. PrOtec-
tion is natures first law.
-.
The Republican state convention for
the nomination Of state officers will be
held in Grand Rapids, August 9Th.
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