The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-06-11
STEADILY IMPROVING.
That Is the View rlr. M. q. Willard
Has of the Busin ssS Situa ton.
In An Interesting Interview He Points
to Reasons For So Believing.

lueS: L was UOlQ OdUufudy UudU Uuelr
curbstone activity is now greater than
any time since last fall" The in
Quiry came from M. G. Willard. We
could not fully explain, though it
would seem like visions of the ''hand
writing on the WALL begin to trouble
them, and they are either whistling
to keep their courage up, or else real
ly believe they can keep hard times
with US by rejoicing over every
calamity, and declaring that more are
coming, and the whole country is 60
ing to the bow vows.
Mr.. Willard showed US an envelope
he found in his mail few days ago,
with his address and marked ''pri-
vate." This private" letter was un-
sealed, however, so that Uncle Sam
would handle it for one cent. He
showed the contents to be printed
slip of that precious doggerel Before
and After Election"
cit is just that sort of rot," he de-
clared, that retards the coming of
good times even more than the slow
progress of the tariff in the senate.
And the worst of it is that it is not
the Bryan contingent alone that is in
dulging in this pessimism. Plenty of
men who voted for Mckinley last fall
are talking this same sort of nonsense.
| Guess I've done little of it myself.
After four years of nightmare it be-
comes second nature to have some
bad dreams" ..,g 4.
Continuing Mr.. Willard said" Every-
body who has made an honest
study of the situation knows it is not
true that times are as bad as ever.
Some take great pleasure in ridicul-
ing our Characterization of Mckinley
as the advance agent of prosperity.
A year hence they will find he was
rightly so named. But Il don't see it
coming say such as my friend of the
once cent private letter. OF course
they don't, they are too much like
my neighbours small boy who can't see
| Barnum & Bailey's circus coming.
The small boy differs from them radi-
cally, however, in this. that he is des-
perately anxious to have the circus
come, and come quick. How are
they alike then?' Why, several weeks
ago the advance agent of BarnUm &
Bailey's circus was in Mankato secur-
ing bill board space and making other
necessary arrangements for the cir
Gus. OF course that small boy heard
of it the same day. And what do we
hear next morning but, Papa is Bar
nuns circus comm today No
sonny not today But the0 same ques-
tion is kept up with increasing impa-
tience,, until the answer of course
not, they are not ready for the circus
YET is followed by the irritable
reply, the circus amt never comin'.'
But in due time the bill boards went
up, and then the posters. Our little
friend could not comprehend dates,
however, and naturally took up the
old refrain every morning, and of
course received a negative answer,
till losing all faith in posters and
other evidences, he snarls out, 1
know theucircus amt, never comm.
He is too young to remember about
former circus preparations, and his
untutored mind cannot comprehend
the extensive arrangements necessary
to prepare for and insnre successful
circus performance. Yet the circus
will show up in due time, and will
draw big crowd just as the 'ad-
vance agent planned for, and our
small boy will be out to see the
parade too, and Notwithstanding his
Unnatural prophecies, will gladly take
in the whole performance, as well as
the side shows. ~ r.
"Prosperity will just as truly follow
our advance agents entry into the
White House. The bill boards went up
L
some time ago, and the posters
are being put on every week, and even
the dates may he read by those who
can discern the signs of the times.
ST admit that cannot see the boom.
ing times that some expect, or hardly
so bright future as Dun's last weeks
report suggests may be close at hand
from the similarity OF present condi'
tions to those of 1879, following the
resumption Of specie payment. But.
that genuine prosperity is not far
away, and better times already at
hand l can clearly see, and so can
any man with his eyes open, and who
is willing to see.
'The great activity of the iron and
steel industry is sure indication OF
returning prosperity. That the level
of prices is much lower than formerly,
from the ore to the finished products,
is as it must and should be, a great
benefit to the consumer, while the
manufacturer, with the improved
methods in use, will still have liv'
ing profit if the volume of business is
sufficient. Railroad earnings are also