The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-22

one of the best features of the business
situation at present is the universal conf
dence in the speedy return of prosperity.
Even political pessimists and Populistic
leaders Of the Bryan school, whose occu-
patton will be gone when prosperity re-
turns, are forced to admit that it is at
hand. The times are getting better every
day. There was an improvement yester-
day over the day before, there is an i'm
provement to-day over yesterday, and
there will be an improvement tomorrow
over to-day. 1t is progressive, cumulative
and expanding. Evidences of this appear
in all directions, and they are of char
acter to fully justify the feeling of conf
dence that pervades the business world.
This feeling takes the form of an extraor-
binary buoyancy of spirit in business en-
terprises and in comment on the situation.
AT no time for years past has there been
much stir in the business world in the
way of clearing the decks for action and
getting ready for an active campaign.
Merchants are stocking up manufacturers
are preparing to fill large orders, the rail-
roads are increasing their transportation
facilities and, best of all, because the basis
of all, the farmers are preparing to realize
on the biggest crops for years past.
An important factor in the situation is
the settlement of the tariff question. In
a few days now the new tariff bill will be
a law and the country will begin to realize
the double benefit Of cessation from agi-
tation and a tariff law framed for
American interests and industries. With
out claiming that the new law will be per-
feet in all respects it will doubtless be the
best tariff law the country has ever had,
and whatever it may lack of perfection,
business will soon adjust itself to the new
condition. The mere settlement of the
question and the certainty that there will
be no more tariff legislation for some years
to come will contribute materially to the
restoration of confidence and business.
The large crops soon to be marketed will
contribute still further. Without entering
into calculations as to the worlds visible
wheat supply or the prospective yield, the
crop reports from other countries leave no
doubt that there will be foreign demand
munerative than have been obtained since
1891. Corn, too, will be in larger demand
than ever before, and the crop promises
to be abundant. Other grains average high,
the hay crop is almost unprecedented, and
every kind of farm produce promises large
rewards. Four years of hard work and
close economy among farmers have done
much to clear away the load of debt under
which they staggered, and the good prices
they will realize this year will enable
them to make needed purchases and i'm
provements, thus putting the money at
once in circulation.
The monetary situation is very favorable
to the revival of business. There is an
abundance of money to meet all the de-
mands of trade, and it is responding read
lily not only to the increased demand in
the cities but to that from the interior and
rural districts to move the crops. The re-
turn of confidence shows there has never
been a scarcity of money in the country,
and the fact that it is now seeking good
investments instead of hiding is one of the
best signs of the times. A year or two ago
there are competing bids for every one that
offers. All things considered, there is good
ground for the general buoyant feeling
that prevails and the belief that the coun-
try is on the eve of a healthy and perma-
nent revival of business.