Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-08-21
DON'T EXAGGERATE.
Chicago Chronicle.

Chicago Chronicle.
Nothing is more ridiculous and moth
ing is more hurtful in the end than
gross and fragrant exaggerations in re-
gard to the business condition OF the
people. Let us tell the exact truth in
a hopeful spirit and leave results to
vindicate our candor,
New York attempted the plan OF
bluff and eXaggeration regarding the
extent of the business boom IN that
T, city caused by reduced fares for the
interior merchants. The most eXtrava-
CANT predictions were made as 10 the
volume of mercantile travel and the
amount of trade that would be in
creased by the reduction Of railway
fares for interior merchants if they
should visit that city for the purchase
of goods direct instead Of making their
purchases through the system OF traY-
cling statesmen or by correspondence.
Estimates were published in the
over-sanguine press to the effect that
thousands and thousands OF purchasers
of goods would obsruct the routes OF
travel, throng the streets and blockade
the entrances to the warehouses OF
jcbbers. The highly colored forecasts
exceeded the facts by about 1880 per
cent.
Only hundreds came where thous-
SANDS were expected. The fabulous
millions paid for expenses in railway
and hotel charges, in amusements ana
for pleasure, in cash purchases or
goods and in the expansion OF mer-
camille credits shrunk to a sum but
little in excess of ordinary times. Trade
was better than last year, but not as
good as in some previous years.
In such a case the reaction--or gather
the failure OF trade TO advance by
leaps and bounds-causes greater loss
through disappointed expectation, from
Iessened energy inspired by defeat,
from despair from the receding vision
of prosperity fading, than is gained by
the brief, feverish excitement that sub
sides almost as soon as felt. There
are indications of better times. But
the signs are not in the spectacular
statements of, the press and IN the
featner-brained enthusiasm or mere
Missionaries.
The most of those whose dreams OF
prosperity materialize only IN print
are among the writers and takers who
in the past most eloquently denounced
the theory of fiat" money. Fiat
prosperity is as little like real pros
perity as fiat money is like real
money. To assert in big headlines
and other forms of topographic display
that prosperity is here, full-tiedged
and in all its panoply, does not create
prosperity any more than declaring
that a shadow of the substance makes
it the substance.
There is no doubt that prosperity Is
coming Some of its light has already
been seen. But it is still at a dis
lance, though approaching. There is
no use in saying that it is here when
il is only in sight 1t will not require
big newspaper headlines and wild
hyperbole to show that prosperity Is
here after it actually arrives.
Millions Of dollars have been made
bv lucky spectators since the boom
in the markets began. But that is not
universal prosperity. What the lucky
few made was lost by the unlucky
many. Farmers have gained by the
rise in wheat. They well deserve their
better prices for grain. But the price
of flour has increased in an equal or
greater proportion. With no increase
in wages, the cost of living Sss in
creased.
When prosperity comes it will come
to all alike-in better wages for labor |
in better profits for trade in T%nnssFF ofi9sr !
All who want to work, III al 49,, oil !
f f.i " -i of its beneficience among an
the people 1t will come as ma e.,
of fact. not as mere matter oL H"in
boyant newspaper announcements