The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-12-21
THE INTELLIGENCER.



This time last year business was Jolt
ing along in the most depressing ruts,
while the calamity howlers all over the
country were predicting worse conditions
for the future, Happily for all concern
ed these Cassandras of prophecy have
been confounded by the widespread I'M
provement that has taken place in al
most every line of trade and commercial
affairs. Where duh times still obtain
they will be found to rely on LEGAL
causes, which the largest prosperity of
the country could not mitigate.
1t is altogether most pleasant and
CHEEKY situation that confronts us to-
day after the long. dark night of depres-
sion and doubt Evidences of improve
ment are seen and felt on every hand,
This Is no; mere guess work or asser-
ton. The period of whistling to keep up
ones courage has passed, and substan-
tlal results have sl!enced even the wall
OF the pessimist,
Although reliable figures are given out
in New York placing the unemployed in
that city at 92,O75, times are steadily i'm
proving, and according TO canvasses made
by the organized trades, the figures are
$4,000 better than last year. These facts
are surely encouraging Another state
ment equally satisfactory Is that the
labor bureau OF Association for I'm
proving the Condition of the Poor has
been able to secure employment for Sil
persons, when in December, 1896, It was
only able to find places for 1853 persons.
Dun's report on the condition of trade
of the country, published in Saturdays
Intelllgencer, called attention TO the re-
markablc fact that CLOSE to It's annual
holiday halt. the business of the year Is
surprisingly large"
On the same line the New York Mail
and Express reflects as follows: "The
holiday trade of the country Is now in
full swing and, Notwithstanding some
diminu,lon IN Wholesale business at the
eastern centcrs the volume Of distrlbu-
ton exceeds anything ever known at this
season. a fact that Is accentuatei by
bank clearlngs, which are larger even
than those of 1892, the year Of remark
able activity. The great increase in the
consuming power Of the people finds
ready explanation IN the large foreign
demand for farm products and manufac-
lures. reflected in exports of the same in
November TO an amount almost equal to
the record month Of the pas; and in
eleven months beyond all precedent
The foreign demand for our manufac-
tures is taking a wider range than ever
before. and is increasing, particularly in
the line Of iron and steel and finished
products of the same. This important
branch OF industry, which has shown
some hesitancy of late, is now taking on
increased activity, with a tirmcr feeling
IN some dlrcctionsl The outpu; of pig
iron has risen to The hghes. point on re-
cord, and taken altogether sentiment aa
TO the future is decidedly cheerful. The
boot and shoe manufacture continues to
show surprising activity Orders arc
being placed freely at advanced prices,
and manufacturers. both at the east and
west. are fully employed. The ship
ments from the cast for the week were
1l5.2OO cases against 1880 cases last
week and $1,000 CAGES last year Since
January / the shipments have been
100000 casce, against 100000 cases in
1896"
Many instances might be cited where
industries arc now actively engaged
which last year were idle. ono case in
point Is the posting nj notices In ma
jority OF the lamp chimney factories OF
the country, that "instoad Of the usual
two weeks shut down there will be only
one day Of ldloncss CchrlstmaO during
tho holidays"
There arc some localities which have
not yet experienced any Of the benefits
OF renewed prosperity but as has been
remarked before the stand-stlll Is due to
local conditions witch time alone cln
remove. Looking back on tho past No
certainly ought to he eitifncd with thr
situation to-day which Indicates an IN
crcaslng prosperity In tho days to come,