Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-07-28

of the tariff measure, two leading
newspapers in New York. the Sun and
the World, made special efforts to col
lect information as to the effect in the
business circles, and it proved to be of
very satisfactory nature. The World
made inquiries of heads of boards of
trade and chambers of commerce
throughout the country. Every reply
received was of a confident nature.
From Chicago came report of "a
marked Improvement in business"
of trade and finance there is an up
ward tendency; every indication of
Improvement" in Milwaukee,; Phila-
delphia notes 1.-The brighter prospects
Cincinnati is assured of material
though gradual Improvement" And
so ran the sentiment expressed in all
the dispatches and, low tariff or high
tariff. all contributed evidence of a
common impression that the removal
of uncertainty respecting the tariff
was the removal of the only formida-
BILE obstacle in the way of prosperity.
We judge from the fact. that the
World sent out its reporters to inter-
view walking delegates in that city
a,.idaptly for tho prrnoca of f,Irpicb; n Or
calamity column, that the tenor of
the replies received from business men
expressed more satisfaction with the
tariff than was agreeable to the World
especially as it had cartoon in that
issue representing Uncle Sam as taxed
to death. So from a few of the labor
leaders several expressions of opinion
were obtained to the effect that the
tariff could be of no help, that times
are very bad and that the outlook is
dubious one. All this might seem to
indicate that different condition of
elsewhere, which is not probable.
The dispatches received by the Sun
were not only of a hopeful nature but
told of brighter respects for labor,
especially in the South. Indeed the
Sun confined it's queries chiefly to the
South. and it is noteworthy that the
passage of the tariff bill meets with APP
probation in that section almost if not
quite equal to that with which it is
received in the West, East and North,
The outlook for Southern crops is ex-
celent. The tobacco growers, who
have been seriously crippled on account
of the Wilson duties on tobacco are en-
thusiastic at the prospect. Louisiana
Florida. that has been giving more
attention to diversified crops since the
orange freeze, is witnessing great
development in tobacco culture in that
state an enterprise that the new tariff
will greatly benefit. Everything goes
to show that the South is preparing to
make the most of the better times,
which are confidently expected by her
leading business men within the next
six months. Indeed outside New Eng
land, where the season has been I'M
favorable to the farmers the only dis
turbing thing is the great coal strike.
but the effect of this has been greatly
exaggerated and does not appear to be
so wide spread as it was at first
thought to be.
Such an universal feeling of conf
dence and qualification cannot be
otherwise than conducive to better
times. This the reported shortage in
foreign crops with which our agrcul-
turalists come into competition en-
hances. OF course this confidence
cannot eliminate the surplus imports
and their deterrent effect, but it does
encourage the making of contracts
and other preparations for the future
being based on the certainty that
there is to be no more tariff tinkering
for at least several years, the improve
meut is stable and the results will be