davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-09
Buds of Promi.e.

''There has been IL decided improve
ment," writes Il Washington correspond
ent. ''in the financial situation since
was last III New York. All classes in the
industrial and commercial world feel en-
couraged over the outlook and expectancy
has replaced the apprehension that had
become the habitnal condition of tho pub
lie mind for the last three years. The
people YOU meet i'll the banks downtown
and visitors from other parts of the co,in-
try who gossip in the hotel rotundas all
tell the story that. while the era of pros
pcrity has not yet begun. the signs of its
aiproach appear in every direction. the
most important being an almost univer-
SAL confidence that it is almost here. There
is confidence in the President. confidence
that Congress will dispose of the tariff
bill speedily and that the rates in the new
schedules will be conservative vet ample
for the needs of the Government" Dun's
reports are encouraging to IL degree; Brad
streets are less pessimistic and decidedly
more favorable. and the crop reports are
unusually encouraging.-Grand RAPIDS
Herald (Rep.).
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-09

its': and It is helpful to confidence to have
official reinsurance that tariff tinlicring
IS not TO be the last of administrative cN-
pcd!ents. for the removal of business dis
trust and depression. There are other
grounds for commercial cheerfulnsss.
Business failures are lesscnng in number
AID Importance. Commercial, loans are
expanding: bank c.earings are increasing.
an! the transportation compa:.es are
earning more money. The end oe tariff
uncertainty is drawing near: tho i..,por-
tant crops all over the country give prom
isc of abundant harvests: productive costs
i'll the great industries have been crowded
to tho apparent minimum: there is less
reason to fear further important price
slr!nk:,ges: the storekecpcrs' shelves. as
IL rule. hold no unwieldy accumn!at:ons of
socks. and labo: is becoming more gem
orally employed. These are favorable con-
d't:ons for sustained revival of busi-
Eess.-I'hi. hi.adc.phia Record DemJ.
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-09
Improved condition of Trade.

There is no doubt of a chanse for the
better: Wsssimists may doubt and part;-
sans may swear, but the first wave of the
returning tide of prosperity is seen and
feit. The failures during May. 1897. We're
less IN number than in any one of the
twenty-one months Immediately preccd-
ing it; the cash Responsibilities of the
ilrms and persons failing were less than
III amy month since September. 1854. The
volume of busincss-meaning the weight
III tons or measurement by yards-of
goods sold in May. 1897. was equal to
mat in the phenomenal year 1892. But
the volume i'll ,.Sh was far less; we still
are IN the era of ruinous,y low prices
nat paradise of ''chcap commodities for
the workmen" to which the Democrats in
Vlted us to enter, and into which. unfortu-
nately, we did enter. And because the
prices of things that are sold are low the
wages of those that make them are low.
BUT there are not nearly so many idle men
in May. 1897. as in May, 1896. More
mills and factories are in operation now
than then. The demand for labor i'm
creases perceptib.y.-Ch Inter Ocean
(Rep.). '"-'
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-09
Prosperity Ia at Hand

Everything that is apparent points to
u rapid revival of prosperity this fail. We
are promised abundant harvests. with bet
ter prices than for many years. If the
farmers get good prices for large crops
it viii! make IL demand upon our manu-
facturers for their products. The wheels
of industry will revolvc once more. There
will he work for the unemployed. and we
shall have that satisfactory condition for
which we have ycarned SO long. We are
not lassimists. We are exceedingly hope
full of the futuW. hs.,;peech of Presi-
dent Mckinley at the banquet Wedues-
day night was worthy the man and the oc.
c;ision. Prosperity is at hand.-Ph:iadel.
phia Inquirer (Rep.).
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-09
Improved Trade condition..

The mercantile reports for the past
week leave no room for doubling the fact
that signs of marked improvement in brsi-
ness conditions are tlisccrnib.r on every
hand. The unexpected progress made by
the tariff bill in the Senate. with the pros
poet of an adjournment of Congress some
time in July. together with the optimistic
speeches of Secretary Gage. in which he
gave the country assurance of ultimate
relief from certain admitted defects in our
financial system, have all combined to
make the trade record of the week Il most
satisfactory one. That the hopeful and
encouraging rtteranccs of the President
and his Secretary of the Treasury had Il
marked influence on trade conditions was
evidenced by the increased foreign de-
mand for American securities Chicago
Times-Herald QndD.
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-09
Better Times in the Nest.

Mr.. u. V. Smal!ey of st. Paul writes
to the New York Evening Post the results
of has observations on Il recent trip of IL
month from Chicago to Portland. Oregon.
He stopped ut various points OH the way.
thus ginning opportunities To gather re-
liable Information concerning the business
conditions. and his conclusion is that
trade is everywhere improving-not much.
but to an apprccable extent. The rail-
roads. he says. report Il net gain i'll re-
ceipts from freight, but none worth men,
ticin:. as yet from passenger earnings.
Bank deposits are increasing and coiec-
tions are easier. People are paying IL
little on their old debts carriesl along from
boom times. and there has been IL great
deal of liquidation from foreclosure. All
the solid industries are doing f:l;rly well.
Prices are low and profits small. hut the
close economies practiced enable projec-
tors to come out little ahead.
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-09
Ev.rx L;re In,prov;nu.

One of the commercial agencies calls
attention to the fact that there is re-
markable similarity between the course of
prices now and in the earlier months of
1879, "when the most wonderful advance
in production and prices ever known in
this or any other country was close at
hand" In that year consumption gradu-
ally gained, month by month. until sud-
denly the demand outran the supply. The
iron industry is expanding its production
and is getting larger orders. The prices
received are not high. Neither are the
wages which are paid. But there is en-
p,oyment for men who were idle last year.
The manufacturers of woolen goods have
increasing orders. Reports come from all
parts of the country that the retail dis
tribution of products is unusually large
and increasing. AT this moment the VOL
umc of business transacted is larger than
in the prosperous year 1892. Before many
weeks have elapsed the volume will be
very much larger.-Chicago Tribune
Rep.)..
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-09
Nearly Up to the ston,, , r.,

The volume of actual transactions is NOT
in value tenth smaller than it was in
the years of the greatest prosperity ever
attained i'll the United States. a.thon,b
the volume Of payments now represents
n much lower range of prices. This do
crease. whether little more or less. IL
greatly to be regretted, but it is NOT
paralysis. Whatever else may be with
reason said of the difficulties in the wav
of industrial recovery, it cannot be said
that business is paralyzedl when the earn.
ings of all railroads reported for Nav are
only 2.3 per cent smaller than in the same
month of 1S92.-New York Tribune
Qeep.).
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-09
Lumber Men Encourane,.

In the opinion of the lumber men, their
market is gradually and steadily getting
around to the point where profits can
once more be expected. Sales are increa s.
ing ut n rate which, though not rapid, is
nevertheless encouraging. Heavy dealers
now see in the situation sufficient to JUS
tify them in laying in liberal stocks, and
very large transfers to them have recent
ly been made at leading mill points. To a
purchase of 32.OOO,OCO feet, made in the
latter part of May, large local yard man
added another purchase of 22,OOO.OOO
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-09
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.

interesting gam Away ysh
NJ Or pat he % so Il ntrsm an ii
III %~ %~ f hd d ahnshn
Mwast sN
h Commits
i on
hd h" aNh
"
Il M ImO Ohsat ny they emayaMs
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-09
Most Gratifying Change.

The most gratifying change appearing
in financial circles is the evidence of in
cre,,sing commercial demand for loans.
The bank statement showed an increase
in the loan item of 81, ,4O0, 900, and it is be-
lieved that most of this was made up of
mercantile discounts, the inquiry for
which last week was reported by the
banks as larger than for several months
previous. This must reflect larger busi-
ness, hut as yet the new d;scounting is
done more largely for concerns handling
goods than for manufacturers desiring
to make up new stock. Much of this mer-
camille demand for money comes from the
country in the shape of notes of business
concerns with the endorsement of interior
banks, and presumably much of this pa
per is made against imported goods which
New York has been carrying, but which
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-09
I'm mprovinr Steadily.

Secretary Cages conviction of the,im-
pr"vemsnt in business, expressed 70 the
Maryland bankers in Cumberland has
had Il good influence. and has strength
ened the growing feeling that a slow but
permanent Improvement is spreading over
the country. His repetition mt Cumber-
land of his statement the week before in
Cincinnati. that the administration was
determined to secure Il comprehensive and
permanent re.tiiicaton of the currency,
and that he had assurances from members
of Congress that at the next session Il bill
to that effect would be passed. has had
very decided Influence in improving the
general tone and increasing confidence
New York Journal of Commerce Dem.).
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-09

Il new tariff law. hut because the natural
forces which control trade are moving in
that direction. There is everywhere a dis
position to ho.d ON TO property i'll place
of the inclination prevalent for several
years past to sell. The shrcw,cst money
makers Ill the country are seeking invest
merits. They are not liIuidatng. En-
forced sales are at an end. Here and there,
III spots. business records are ahead of
any previous reports for years past. Bank
deposits are increasing because the not
profits of trade and industry are growing
ana not because people are pulling idle
money out of hiding places and putting it
IN bailks.-lNansas City Star Qnd.l.
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-09
Cool Sicn..

That business is getting better is evil
It from many signs. The financial re-
ivs and commercial agencies publish
prts from ,all parts of the country
tch indicate this. The reports of rail-
|lls show increased earnings over those
Shhe same period last year. Another
1iticaM and hopeful sign is tho fact
1t the money now in circulation in this
lntry is $13S, ,149, ,612 more than the cir
ltion one year ago. the total amount
circulation last Saturday being ST.
), $3.50. The absence of speculative
crest is not an unmixel evil. 1t indi-
~ that what improvement is taking
I in business is u,.-Atlanta
}al Wcm.).
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-09
Bnsis for Confidence.

The general symptoms developed i'll
Wall street during the past week have
been the most hopeful features witnessed
for many months past. Without any spe-
cial stimulus or speculative effort. there
has been IL marked revva, of buying ol,er-
ations and. with few exceptions, an ad-
vance in prices. Also. it is n notable
symptom that several persons of emf
hence and directly in touch with the farn,-
ing interest and the larger industries have
simultaneously expire essed their views cn
the business outlook in unexpectedly hope
full terms. MIR. Thomson. president of the
Pennsylvania Railroad: MIR. Gould of the
Missouri Pacific. Mr.. Chaunccr Nj. De
pew and MIR. c. T.. Huntington. who are
among the foremost representatives of the
railroad interest in different sections of
the country. have uniformly expressed
salgnine expectations as TO the general
outcome of the harvest and the prospects
of business at large. Similar estimates of
the drift of the crops and of business have
been made by Mr.. Andrew Carnegie. Hon.
Roswell II. Flower and MIR. Hill. presi-
dent of the Great Northern. Such Il body
of opinion, coming from men possessing
the best source of knowledge as to condi-
tions and movements. constitute II basis
for confidence which cannot be disregard
cd.-Weekly Financial Review.
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-09
The prospect Br,ghtcns.

Either because the business men have
ken heart from the comforting assur-
iccs of Secretary Gage and the reason
pie certainty that Il new tariff law will
!. in force within few weeks. or be-
kuse better times had to come in the
ptural oider of things. there is IL definite
nj unquestionablc improvement in the
usincss situation. There are so many in
icptions of this in so many quarters that
is Idle to deny that IL change for the
liter is taking place. There are indus
les which have not revived as yet. but
.kir turn will come. There are scme
kich always lag behind in the process.
Tribune (Rep.).
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-09
Revivinx Trade.

The change which has come over the
face of things in the business world is
unmistakable The confidence for wliicll
everybody has been looking is here. 1t
may lose its sharp edge by some unfore-
seen event, but it is hardly to be expected
that any serious check will now occur.
1t seems to be taken for granted that
there will be tariff law on the statute
book within Il few weeks. Perhaps u
month is too short Il time to give the sow
going legislators of the Senate. The as
suranee in regard to the tariff is the most
potent influence in giving more confidence,
but the good effects of Secretary Cages
speeches have by no means Worn off, eth
er in the United States or abroad. Salts
factory crop reports. increased railroad
earnings and the statement of bank clear
;ngs. which. considering the fact that
one day of last week was IL holiday. is fa-
vorib.e. are among the subsidiary intlu-
ci,ccs that are making for faith in the flu.
turc.-Buifa!o Express.
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-09
Large Handliue of Goo,,..

Bank clcarings last week were light. but
little over $500. O.O0O,OCO in the Chronicles .
table, in which one day is estimated. But
the increase over the corresponding week
of the previous year was no less than II
per cent, and in comparison with earlier
and more prosperous years it must be re-
membered that there has been such de-
cline in prices that identical iigHres would
indicate u very large gain i'll quantities.
The truth is that in volume of merchan-
disc handled the amount of business done
now does not compare unfavorably with
the amount done in good years, but at
these lower prices profits are small and
sometimes disappear entireiy.--llnancial
Chronicle Dem.).
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-09
South Feels the I'm prove ment.


While the general business s;tuahiaa
is somewhat halnpercd by the uncertainty
attaching to the tariff bill. there are not
wanting signs that IL gradual impreve-
ment i'll trade is i'll progress. 1t is true
that there is no disposition to he enter
prising. Eor to put out new lines. until
all uncertainties as to the future tariff
duties are removed: but, in spire of this.
there is Il fair movement for actual con-
sumption in nearly all branches of indus
try. With favorable crop outlook, there
is every reason to expect Il good trade in
the entire county tributary to this sec
ton. especially as country merchants and
farmers are already in IL fairly prosperous
condition. The merchants here have TAX
en- advantage of the recent dullness to
carefully study the problems which have
hitherto initiated against trade, and it
is believed that many of the most serious
difficulties have been overcome. Of
course. some months must yet elapse he
fore the crops are ready for market; but
the mere prospect of good crops is ortiinar-
lily sufficient to create confidence and set
the wheels of commerce in motion. 1t is
therefore. confidently believed that an in,-
provement in business will be noted from
now on.-New Orleans Picayune (Dem.).
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-09
BUSINESS STILL IMPROVING.
Fresh Evidences Of This Come
from Every Part Of the
Country.
Democratic and Republican Journals Vic with
Each Other i'm Assurances of Return.
ing Prosperity.
T1cst Gratifying Collection of Hopof! Expressions
Gathered from Various Reliable
Sources

No publication within the last few
weeks has attracted more attention
Flian that furnished the readers of this
papcr early last month. showing Il
Qnarke'i Improvement in business con-
dlitions throughout the country This
was evidenced by 81 collection of state
ments on this subject from scores of
newspapers of all political parties. and
from all parts of the country. The
evidence of general and widespread I'M
|provcmpnt was SO plainly shown by this
kand so much II subject of qualification
that we present herewith another in
fttallment of expressions of this char
oeter, gathered from all sections and
Om papers Of all political shades of
binion:
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-09

if his friends. through concerted move
meni. We're to make n point of telling him
every time they met him how sick he look
cd. The Imagination is powerful motor.
When everybody one meets talks of hard
times. Il tinge of melancholy is created
which ovcrsprcads the whole community.
This cloud can be- tiissipatcd by cheerful
tnlk and by considering the really favora-
be factors of the sitlation.-AIi Minneapolis;
Tribune Rep.).
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-09
Improvement viii Surely Continue

asa PA w &Ouktnucs
Some stress is laid on Former Post
master General John Wanamaker's state
ment that "tle country is not prosperous" :"
and that "sints. the outset of the last pres
idential campaign the party press and po-
litical leaders generally fixed the Nove,n-
her election of 1896 as the date of the be-
ginning of good times" And the state
ment follows that ''thus far but one of the
important issues of the campaign is near
ing settlement and hardly any improve
ment of the wretchel times is manifest"
MIR. Wananaker draws erroneous conc,,l-
sions. No man i'll the country who was
at all conversant with the trend of busi-
ness affairs thought for Il moment that
good times could be made to come Instant
aneously. But what did take place i'm
meliately on the election of Mr.. McIlin-
ley was the immediate restoration of con-
fidence and the return of vast numbers of
workingnHn to the avenues of labor and
trade. Gradually. but surely. business
has been growing better. and the country
only awaits the passage of the tariff bill to
settle down to Il development of the manu-
featuring resources of the country, which
will stimulate other busincss.-Buffalo
News Ind.).
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-09
Slow bu4 Sure

ow but steady gain in business with
vance in prices, an increase in the
er of hands employed and growth of
rders. and an increase in the amount
rk done are pointed out by "Dun's
~" i'll its last issue as IL renewed eyi.
That business is improving. A study
newspaper sentiment of the country
Pressed in the publications of all
eiits shows concurrence in the
\ JUS expressed that there is mark
general Improvement in the busi-
situation.
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-09
Eycrx 1Ian Feel. n.

There is not progressive business man
in Kansas City who does not feel more
cheerful over present conditions and fu-
tlre prospects than he has felt for many
years. The great majority recognize that
the movement towards better times is we'll
under way, not by reason of Mr.. McKin-
ley's election or because of the promise Of
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-09

feet within few days. Three other large
transfers. ranging from 10000. 900 to H.
NN.OOO feet each, have also recently been
completed. Prices are now firm. in strange
contrast to the decentralization that pre-
vailed a few weeks ago.-Chicago Times
Herald Qnd.).
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-09
RiruIa of cheer.

G The business sentiment is undoubtedly
stronger. There are many reasons for
hopefulness. Not the least important re-
cent happening has been the assurance of
Secretary Gage that the Federal adminis-
tration would not forget the "mandnte of
the people, whose voice in behalf of hon
est money and sound finance rang out
loud and clear in November last" Cur
eency Reform - vital to business secur-
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-09
silveritcs Arc pu,n,,

ces cannot rise so long as the gold
rd obtains" That was the asser-
ade with endless persistence by the
standard orators and newspapers
ar. The basal proposition of Mr..
was that commodities could not
aisher values save through the free
|. OF silver. What do we now see?
has advanced, in the face of re-
dicating tremendous yield this
In the grazing regions sheep
}early doubled in price since last
Wool has gone up fifty per cent.
title market is good. In the general
there is an upward movement.
possible has happened, then. What
free coinage advocates say about
fdition that now confronts them :?
y what anyone would expect
observation-disclosures Times.
Slep.).
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-09
Business situation Better.

There is 10 longer room for question on
The proposition that conditions in the
world of business have improved. While
there may still be found isolated cnscs
where the return of commercial activity
has not yet broken up the long spell of
stasnation. such cases by their rarity are
but the exception to prove the rule. Bet
ter, perhaps, than the actual improve
ment. which can be reduced to figures by
comparison with the past. is the general
belief that business has not only improv-
ell, hut TINT the Improvement is bound to
continue. President Mckinley and Sec
retary Gage touched the keynote of this
sentiment in their recent notable utter
ances. The far-reaching effect of these
speeches became evident when aivices be-
gan pouring in from abroad to the effect
that American securities were in strong
demand. Foreign capital, keenly anxious
for the right moment to arrive. has seized
the opportunity and in measure led the
way to II practical demonstration of reviy-
ed confidence. The enhanced value of all
securities quoted on the Stock Exchange
is but n bnrometr;cal indication of this
altered condition. Reports as shown by
railroad earnings still bear witness to the
growing increase of trade. Individual
lines of business. too, almost without ex-
ccption, acknowledge the same state of
affairs. Not only is this manifest in the
larger manufacturing industries. such as
clothing. hardware and boots and shoes
hut this more limited branches dependent
entirely OH the general prosperity of the
commercial world report gratifying in-
crease in the volume of business on which
estimates are Chicago Post Und.),
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-07-09

are now being distributed through the
country to those Oh whose orders they
We're originally cngagel.-New York Com
nlercial Bulletin (Dem.).