Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1897-07-08
AS TO PROSPERITY.
A Common-Sense View of the Cues
tlon by Southern News

Petersburg "Index-Appeal" Dcm.)
While it is not just to class. as ca
lamity bowler for partisan effect every
business man who has become infected
with the contagion of croaking hard times
and business depression, it. is nevertheless
true that with many partisans the wish for
hard times as means for discrediting the
present administration and insuring its de-
feat in 1900is farther to the thought as we'll
az 30 the expression. 1t is also true that
many good and honest men are unconsci-
ously betrayed into aiding the malgn inAu-
ence of the partisans, and exaggerating the
actual condition of affairs by the cry which
they hear about them everywhere, and in
which tI.ey join too often with unreason-
ing facility.
To Illustrate, q gentleman who is in the
enjoyment of good salary and who has
on his own account, a small business which
he says is more prosperous now that ever
before, was heard recently to complain
that, on account Of the hard times, he
could not afford an indulgence to which he
had been formerly accustomed. The
complaint was promptly challenged by
his employer, who remined him that accor-
ding to his own statement, his little private
business enterprise was more prosperous
than ever before, and that his salary was
now what it was about ten or fifteen years
ago. On the other hand, the cost of every
item of living, including the coveted in
diligence, was less than one-half of what it
was ten or fifteen years ago, and, so far
from practicing self-denial, there was
absolutely every reason why he should
have INDUCED himself, if he SO wished.
The gentleman referred to is not narrow,
illiiberal or partisan, but only the victim
OF his environments. By the force of
association he was led honestly to believe
that, In common with everybody else, he
was suffering from tie hard times, and
straightway he was tightening his purse
strings and contributing to make The times
harder.
All the omens are suspicious to an early
revival of trade and return of prosperity.
He is but casual and Indifferent observer
who has not already noted it not only in
the earnest evidences which Congress and
the Administration are giving of their
purpose to aid the return of good times,
but in the actual evidences of the very
presence of better times now. Our ex-
ports, not only of agricultural products
but of manufactured articles also show it,
as does also the gradual revival of indus
trial enterprises in many parts of the
country. One year ago there was hardly
q wooden mill in Rhode Island running on
full time, but to-day it is the exception to
find q mill unemployed, and it is stated
on good authority that some are having
sheir yarns made outside to keep up with
orders. Some of the largest New England
cotton mills have more orders than they
can ELL at an early day, and the iron and
steel industries are said to be in an equally
prosperous state. Is there not in this
much to encourage business men, especial
ly in view of the fact that we>shall soon
have the tariff question settled for at least
four years, and this disturbing element
removed?
Let merchants take more hopeful view
of affairs, stop moping, and push business
with intelligence and vigor, land if anybody
is silly enough to be disappointed because
Mr.. McKinley's election, per Sc. has not
brought in its train stream Of prosperity,
let him go and soak his head, and try to
take rational and common-sense view of
things.