Middletown transcript., 1896-01-18

A REVIVAL OF MANUFACTURING
ENTERPRISE.
"The increased activity in the iron
and steel trade is now an old story, all
the principal companies having had,
their works running at their full capac-
ity for many months. There has been
q similar revival In the cotton and
wooden mills. The American Wool
Reporter publishes list of the new
mill enterprises started during last
year, as compared with previous years,
and also list of the enlargements Of
existing plants, and these lists show
remarkable game for the year. In 1895
the number Of new mill enterprises in
augurated was 357, against 2G3 in 1894,
279 in 1898 and Bod in 1892, which was
year of conceded prosperity. There
was considera BILE gain in the cotton
mills of the South. Massachusetts, star
ted sew cott0n-mills, and in New York
and other States there has been an in
crease In the number of mills knitting
or weaving wool fabrics. The con-
sumption of wool has also been largely
increased, though comparative figures
on this subject are not now available.
Prices have been low, which has been
gain to the consumer, but there is no
| indication in failures of manufacturers
or closing down Of works that the prices
have been too low. So far as statistics
can be made to show the condition of
the people, these and other figures re-
lating to the business of 1895 show
that there was ardecided gain during
the year, made from solid basis, for
the depression of the preceding two
years had used up the stocks on hand
and reduced everything to new and
Hover level. The prospects for 1896
are still more favorable and they will
be realized. provided the public credit
is maintained. .'-Philadelphia Ledger.
The above was handed us by reader
Of the TRANSCRIPT whose opinion we
appreciate. He is not only leading
Democrat in St. Georges hundred but
is well and favorably known through
out the State, and what Is more, he is
a thinking man. The TRANSCRIPT is
glad to have the attention of the think
ing men of the community. So many
men keep their thoughts to themselves,
| or at least those thoughts that would
be of benefit 10 the public. We are
glad to have such clippings as the
above for they encourage business and
business needs encouragement. Not
the kind Of encouragement in which,
the Philadelphia Record and Euery
Erening INDUCED before the election
last fall, business boom that had no
existence in fact. Their cry was for
political effect but they failed to fool
the people.
The Ledger is different paper, how
ever, and what it says may be relied
upon for its object is to set forth the
truth. 1t has its political preferments,
and SO it should, but it does not sacri-
| fee nor twist the truth to suit those
| preferments, hence the TRANSCRIPT
is doubly glad to give its readers the
benefit Of the above clipping.
Everybody is rejoiced at the i'm
proved outlook for 1896, and certainly
business depression has reached ebb
tide. Not only have the rails, the cars,
the engines and every thing that enters
into the making of our great railroads,
been worn out by constant use the
| past three years and need replacing
with new. but there is an end to old
clothing and even "hash" will not
hold out always. People must eat and
be clad. But we do not attribute the
improved condition to these things
alone, though they help. All our
readers would not agree with US as to
the political causes of the depression
in business and the present more hope
full outlook for trade, and they need
not be mentioned hele. There is an
idea, however, in the clipping to which
we wish to call special attention. Let
US consider it.
The Ledger says business has beer
'sreduced to new and lower level, =
in other words cheaper period bas
been reached. This is the result Of
the Cleveland administration and a:
we understand it, it is the object they
set out to gain. Cheaper labor and
cheaper living must go together. A
dollar and quarter wheat is not sold
where clothing was snever so low be.
fore." Twenty-seven cent corn de-
mands low mercantile prices. There
is nothing else to be expected. This is
the result of .tariff REFORM" How dc
the people like it? It is contrary tc
reason and to common sense to expect
to'sell dear and to buy cheap. If the
| lhi mCL QOCS ~ Wudt UCCUluOo VI tut
merchant and of the laborer who pro.
duces the goods, not to mention the
''robber manufacturer" who has bis
n oney invested in the wheels that
keep trade in motionl And then if the
laborer can live cheap what becomes
of the farms and the man who handles
the hoe and drives The plow? Certainly
the people have had an object lesson
in cheap living, the result Of free trade
tendencies in tariff legislation! It is
well to think of these things. The
thinking man can always be trusted.
| But the duty of the hour is to make
the best Of the present situation, tc
encourage the improved outlook by the
payment Of every debt possible, by put
ting money in ejaculation, by indus
triOuSly turning to The future an(