The herald., 1896-04-20
An Era Of Progress and Pros.
perity Coming
THE OUTLOOK ENCOURAGING
The Silver States to Be Given Due
Consideration
". B. Dunnlng Of the Hub Talks on Eastern
Conditions. Politics, Business and Other
Interesting Topics

It is the almost universal opinion Of
leading financiers, manufacturers, mer-
chants and politicians throughout the
entire east that, beginning with 1897,
tnis country will enter upon an era OF
progress and prosperity such as 1t has
not witnessed for the past half CEN
tury''
This broad but reassuring statement
was made yesterday to a Herald rep
resentative by w. b. Dunning, the pop
ular manager Of the Hub Clothing COM
pany upon his return from an extended
visit to Chicago, New York and other
large eastern cities.
When asked what reasons were ad-
vanced for such a fiattering change in
the material condition of the country
and what would be the principal causes
leading up to such much to be hoped
for effect, Mr.. Dunning replied that it
seemed to be in the air; that the best in
formed men of the east advanced the
belief as confidently as If it had already
become an accomplished fact; that the
signs of the times all pointed to such
reaction from the past depression and
that the principle reason for the COM
ing period Of good times was the conf
dence and good judgment of the Amer
lean people themselves.
everywhere 1 went and with all
whom l met, the prevailing sentiment
was that this year would mark the end
ing of period that has tried the tenn
country to the very utmost limit" con-
tinued Mr.. Dunning. land while the
near future looks exceedingly bright
and hopeful 1t Is also certain that there
is the utmost caution still being op-
served by the banks and the manufac-
turers in their dealings with CONNER
cial houses. To put the situation as it
now exists more plainly, found upon
investigation that this is considered a
most crucial period by those VINO are
hroI oh IN m rlacSOna1 contact with gen.
eral lines of business. The eastern man
ufacturers and large jobbing firms say
that they are even more careful IN ex-
tending lines of credit today than they
We're two years ago. They consider the
larger production of their accounts
as hardly a fair business risk and do not
hesitate to say that any merchant who
qulls through this year and meets his
obligations with even fair promptness
may we'll be said to have been tried and
not found wanting.
"Throughout the entire country the
general estimate is that business for
1896 will not reach the limit it other
wise would under ordinary conditions
by from so to 80 per cent, and this de-
cline is pointed to as one of the main
causes for healthy reaction as soon as
the usual disturbing elements incident
to a presidential election have passed
away
All over the east the mills are still
idle and thousands Of working men are
out of employment. 1t is only in the
south that there is any marked actlV-
ity. and as that section has been de-
pressed longer than any other IN a pus!-
ness sense, it is only natural that IL
should first feel the beneficial effects
which will gradually spread all over the
entire country.
Even with the conservative methods
of gauging the question of supply anu
demand which has been enforced by all
ha ma ctIIrprS. GSD6cldllX
in the line of wearing apparel, found
many of them overStOcked, and so great
was the demand for ready money that
even though / was what might be
termed behind the season, l was en-
abled to secure some of the greatest
bargains t.lat it has ever been my good
fortune to pick up. Inducements were
offered me that l could not afford TO
let pass and the result is that l now
have on the way out here such stock
of goods for every department. of the
Hub as I think has never before been
seen in Los Angeles, at prices which Will
be revelation to the public when put
the new goods on sale.
II never saw such an excellent as
sortment of fashionable clothing as mas
been made for this season. In cut,
shades and general appearance, as well
as material, this years styles are away
ahead of anything shown in the past
especially in children's wear. Ihe new
Neatest patterns, and the big stock
which I purchased l consider as staple
as gold dollars since the prices at which
/ will offer these novelties VIII be SO
low that they will surely attract the
attention Of every parent,
"J want to say right here" remarked
Mr.. Dunning, with more than ordinary
earnestness. that l am not politician.
Running big clothing store is my par
ticular business. but while was east on
-IN<.. L. fr,lI Jy,nI n I
could not help hearing much of the gen
eral opinions of we'll informed men upon
the present condition of affairs as well
as the outlook for the coming campaign.
What surprised and pleased me most OF
all was the great change in the attitude
of so many prominent men on the silver
question. Among the manufacturers and
large Wholesale houses l found that it
was the general impression that recog-
milton was due to the west on this par
ticular question, and that the financial
plank of both the leading parties should
be SO framed as to admit the white
metal to it's proper place in the monetary
system of this government.
so pronounced was this feeling in fa-
vor of silver that heard it freely stated
that such recognition would so streng
then the party advocating it that it would
carry the country next November re-
gardless of who the candidate for presi-
dent might be. The plea was advanced
that such action would result IN renewed
industrial activity, and that with plenty
Of work and plenty of money would come
that prosperity which has been so long q
stranger to nearly every section of the
country. Naturally l heard consider
able discussion about the relative
chances of the prominent men now men,
toned as candidates for the presidency.
IT the will of the masses, as far as /
learned. could be considered, Mckinley
would be nominated at st. Louis with
out any doubt. He seemed the popular
candidate everywhere l went but SO
confident are the Republican leaders
OF victory that they believe any good man
can De elected, and there were many who
asserted that a dark horse would carry
or the prize. In this connection the ques-
ton of free silver promises to pay a
most important part. I heard it stated
upon good authority that nearly every
state IN the west and south would at an
early date positively demand the recog-
nition or the white metal. and that this
demand would have to be met in order
10 control the votes of these great and
growing states
among the party leaders, even in New
YORK, was informed that Governor
Morton's candidacy was not seriously
considered, but would be used for all it
was worth to gain prestige and influence
~ tle national convention and to give
that state the position 1t wanted in s1ap-