davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Columbus journal., 1897-06-02

Dress goods. per yd D. -
1t will be seen from the above that the
selling price of practically everything
which the farmer has had TO put upon the
market has increased during the year and
that the buying price of things which he
consumes has decreased.
The State Department is in receipt of \
communication from the United States
consul N Odessa. Russia. 10 the effect
that large quantities of Russian wool Of
inferior quality are being shipped TO this
country and the manufacturers of the
country are cautioned accordingly.
The proposed duty on the quantity OF
rawhide which would be used in the man.
ufactUre of a pair of shoes is estimated ut
about > cents. Only about one-fifth. how
ever. of the hides used in this country are
imported, so that the increased cost of q
pair of shoes by reason of the duty would
probably not be more than one or two
The average man probably uses
about three pairs of shoes per year Does
anybody particularly object TO paying
from three to six cents toward the sup
port of the Government. in its present
extremity. especially in view of the great
advantage accruins to the farmer:
One Reason Gold Ia Ell
II is but reasonable. with the importa-
lions of foreign goods increasing So enor-
in anticipation Of the repeal Of
he Wilson low tariff rates and the en-
actment Of a protective tariff. that gold
.xports have increased. The foreign
brought into the country must be-
,aid for in gold. and if such importations
increase from ten TO twenty millions q
Il goes without saying that gold
.xports must increase somewhat. Sew
IRA, other reasons. notably the desire for
,ccumulations OF gold ia Europe by rea-
.on of war possibilities. show that there
5 nothing alarming in the exports Of that
METAL, and no cause for the note of alarm
icing sounded by the silver advocates.
he quantity of gold money in 1873 was
4 .2C:,. So. 900, while in 1896 it was 3d.
100000. being in 1896 30 per cent
.reater than the gold and silver money
in 1913.
Secretary Wilson's latest move is in
a practical investigation 10 deter
nine sections of the country most adapt
d TO the production of the best quality
{ beet sugar.
GEORGE MELVILLE
The Columbus journal., 1897-06-02
Me~chante Puyiny Goods.

The Tribune. in its last weeks business
article. gave a hint of the improved COM
mercial conditions by quoting from a New
York paper a statement to the effect that
the city was filed with buyers from all
over the country. The summary of Dun's
reports indicates that the buyers were not
there merely to see the sights. but that
they actually bought. which is a good
proof that they had gagged the buying
ability of their respective constituencies
and were satisfied that they were fairly
prosperous. Such facts as these speak
louder than the most elaborate theor;zing
on he part of calamity howlers.-Minne-
apolis Tribune Rep.).
The Columbus journal., 1897-06-02

The "Heart Of Geor Responds.
The figures which We herewith publish
are of the greatest Importance. as show
ing the vastly improved conditions in the
heart Of Georgia. We are quite sure that
the southern belt of counties can make
quite as good a showing. Mr.. Douglas
does mot care to pose as an optimist.
but" he says. Figures speak for them
selves. and the conditions surrounding
us cannot be denied and should not be
misunderstood" He is free to confess
that We are not in the midst Of a business
boom. nor do we want anything of that
kind, but unless all indications under
my observation are misleading. we are
once more on a level with a slow but
improvement" Nothing stands So
much in the way of business just now as
the calamity bowling press. and the war
cry of the Senate.-Macon tGa.) TeIe-
graph Dem.).
The Columbus journal., 1897-06-02

eoufh"ru Democratic Confidence.
Week before last the Times-JTniOn made
a comparison. for the preceding week Of
1897 and the corresponding week of 1896.
of the bank clearances of the eighty-seven
principal commercial cities of the country.
and this comparison showed that the VOL
ume of bank clearances of the Southern
cities had increased 40 per cent. while
that of the Northern cities had decreased
% per cent. Saturdays number of Dun's
Review published the bank c%learances Of
the fourteen leading commercial cities.
The bank cl%earances of the Southern
cities show a decrease in volume of only
$54S.4O7. or less than l per cent. from
those of the prosperous year 1892. The
volume of bank c%learances of the North
ern cities, however. shows a loss Of 1852
13O.S21, or more than 25 per cent. This
is the record of only one week. and only
fourteen cities. 1t is but a straw. but
when all straws point in one direction
they show positively how the wind is
blowing. Every indication shows well for
the South. If we may judge by bank
clearances. the Southern cities referred
to lave practically recovered from the
panic.-FlOrida Times Union Dem.).
The Columbus journal., 1897-06-02

The following statements. gathered
from recent ISSUES Of daily and weekly
papers in all parts of the country, and
representing all political parties. relate
to the business condition i'm the United
States. They will repay a careful cx-
animation. 1t will be een that the
editors. who have their hand on the
public pulse through their army ri re-
pOrters. news gatherers and financial
students. are unanimous. irrespective
of politics. in the statement that bust
ness has improved and is improving.
The Columbus journal., 1897-06-02

The South Responds with Good Cheer.
The Chronicles statements bear out
the facts presented to our readers YES
terday in a interview in our local de-
partment with Mr.. W. L. Douglas. man.
ager of Dun's agency in Macon. 'The re-
turn of prosperity" he says, lis visible
on all sides. Wholesale dealers in nearly
all lines are all reporting an increase Of
business over last year. All
houses dealing direct with the farmer will
tell you that collections were better last
fall than for a long time prior to that.
Right here in Macon business appears
more substantial and in healthier condi-
ton than could seriously have been ex-
pected some months ago"
In view of the deliberate and determin.
ed efforts being made to discourage the
people: and worse. to involve the country
in war with more than one foreign DOW
er. these reports. from the highest au-
thorities. are exceedingly hopeful and en-
c%ouraging. Macon (Ga.) Telegraph
Dem.).
The Columbus journal., 1897-06-02
BETTER Time. Mt Lea.t in Sight

The report made by II. G. Dun 4 Co.'S
trade review. showing an activity in le-
gitimate business transactions during the
past month. little short Of that during
April. 1892. the year Of the largest bust
ness. emphasizes the cheerfulness of the
present business outlook and points to the
conclusion that the good times which have
been predicted through many weary
months of waiting are at least in sight
Memphis Scimitar Oem.).
The Columbus journal., 1897-06-02

vance in the price of cotton. and the re-
sumption of more mills which use cotton
and wool. Additional boot and shoe fac
tories have resumed operations. though
taking orders at very low prices. The
ton of the commercial reports from near
ly every department of business is reas-
surfing. There is need of patience. how
ever. better times are coming. but by easy
marches. Brooklyn Standard Union
Rep).
The Columbus journal., 1897-06-02
Railroad Ruildinx Significant.

Railroad RuildinR Significant.
During 1896 the total number of miles
of new tracks laid by railroads in the
United States was but 1902 miles. the
lowest figure known for twenty. years.
The record for the year 1895 was practi-
cally the same. bringing to mind the stu
alton in 1875, when the country was just
recovering from a great panic. and the
unprecedentedly low figure of LII miles
of new track was the record. Afterward
came a period of expansion. eliminating
in 1887 with the unprecedentedly high
figure of 1883 miles of new track con-
structed during that year. which was one
Of great prosperity all over the country.
a prosperity which continued for several
successive years. And now comes the
Railway Age and predicts an immense
increase in railway building in 1897 over
the banner year in the history of railway
construction in this cOuntry.-Memphis
Scimitar Dem.).
The Columbus journal., 1897-06-02

pages:
The March importationS of wool in 1897
were JS.uS'.:S? pounds. against lI.sS1.-
5i1 pounds in March. 1896. and against
only 3.4SS.41I pounds in the last March
of the Mckinley law. The importations
of rags. Eoils. ETC.. in March. 1897. was
a.4Gi. l61 pounds. against 1.:D4 pounds in
the last March of the Mckinley law.
These 4uantit es of free wool and shoddy
now in stock here are not particularly
cheering 10 the growers of good American
wool. for il Will be some months before
they can he absorbed by the country and
a place made for the home product. The
number of cattle imported in March. 1897.
under the Wilson law was $500. while
in March. 1S4 under the Mckinley law
the lumber imported was 81. The num-
her of mounds of hides imported in March.
" in view of the prospective duty on
hides. was two and a half times as much
as in March of the last year of the Me-
kinley law. amounting to nearly three
million dollars in value. The hay import
ed in March, 1895. s and 1897. under
the Wilson law was over 10000 tons.
averaging about three times as much a
was imported in the last March of tho
Mckinley law. The world. according to
this official report. is being raked over to
find wool to be brought to this country
before the new tariff law goes into effect.
The importatiOns of wool during March.
1877, came from Austria Hungary. Bel
GUM. Denmark. France, Germany. Italy,
Portugal. ROumania. Baltic Russia,
Spain. England. Scotland. Ireland. Nova
Scotia. the Black Sea ports, Dutch West
Indies. Argentine. Brazil, Chill. Peru,
Uruguay. Venezuela. China. British East
Indies. Asiatic Russia. Turkey in Asia,
British Australia. British Africa. Egypt.
This is a pretty fair showing.
Among other things this summary pre-
sents a table of especial interest to agri-
culturists. II shows the monthly average
prices Of the principal articles of merchan-
disc imported and exported during the
past year. Extracts from the table are
given below. the exports representing
their market value at the date of expor-
ta;ion. while the imported articles repre-
sent their values in foreign markets.. This
latter fact should be born in mind con-
stantly in examining the comparative fig
ures as the prices of imported articles APP
pear low, until il is remembered that tho
values given relate to the prices in foreign
and do not include the mounts
added. for freight. tariff. handling and
profits. before they reach the
N -, IN, a. -, 49,, -.,-
The Columbus journal., 1897-06-02
"Reyoud All Ou..t;o, -

Beyond all question. general business is
improving. We have this week more de-
clded indications of the progress made.
Yet it is true that one can easily draw
too broad a conclusion from the more
manifest evidences. Buyers. for instance.
are seen to have increased in number in
all our markets. bat their purchases still
SHOW great conservatism. supplying only
immediate wants. Current production in
the dry goods trade is believed to be fully
absorbed now. but the old accumulations
have not been drawn down much vet.
Probably the best trade outlook. and by
far the most promising conditions. prevail
in the iron industry. Prices of steel and
iron in all their forms are now so low
that they could hardly be expected to 20
while the demand for export of
rails. billets and pig helps the home mar
ket. The Iron Age says that the hone
full feeling in the iron trade is spreading.
and in those departments which are close
to the raw material moderate advances
are being recorded. 1t adds that the total
tonnage placed thus far must be heavy
when it is considered that very large or
ders were booked during the halcyon
days of the billet pool. and that now this
has been swelied by the volume of busi-
ness done in track material" -Financial
Qnd.).
The Columbus journal., 1897-06-02

More Work and More Wages.
The daily announcements of the re
sumption of operations at mills and fac
tories tell the story of a steadily expand
ing volume of trade. The movement is
progressing and more workmen were EN-.
ployed last week and the amount paid out
in wages was larger than at any time
since the election. 1t is undeniab'e that
the situation is steadily improving and it
is satisfactory to note that the underlying
conditions which must sustain this i'm
prOvement give promise of continuing.
One of the main causes of the p~rOtracted
prostration We have endured has been
the low price of wheat. In no month of
1894 did the Chicago price exceed Is
cents and during most of the year it sold
around 50 cents: in 1895 the price was a
little better and in 1896 a little better still.
but nevertheless wheat has averaged fully
Is cents a bushel below the average price
of the five years previous to 1894. Now,
however. we seem entering upon an era
of higher grain Observation-Disclosures In
quirer Rep.).
The Columbus journal., 1897-06-02
Com parative Tables.

Table showing average values of COM
modities of farm export in April. 1886.
and in March, 1897:
April. 1896. April. 1891.
W meat ST.
Wheat -four. per Dbl $500 S4.I2
Hops cents los cents
Picked pork. per 10. .53 cents 81 cents
Cheese. per lb...-....32 cents 1916 cents
Leaf tobacco. ........1.4 cents ID cents
Table showing average prices in for
eiSn markets of commodities which farm
ers consume. in April. 1896. and March,
sd
The Columbus journal., 1897-06-02

Bradstreet'a Reports Favorable.
In spite of the fact that the pendency
Of q tariff bill always unsettles trade and
manufacturing. the reports from the vari-
Gus parts of the country are very encOur-
aging. Advices from all sections. espe-
cially the Mississippi valley and the East
ern States. show improved business cOndi-
ions. Reports to Bradstreet's on May l
state that in Seattle 'trade is good and
shows an improvement over April of last
year," In San Francisco "the retail trade
is reported as fairly gOOd:' in Nashville
the local retail trade is somewhat i'm
proved" in Augusta ''the retail trade IS
reported good" in St. Paul trade con-
tinues good in all lines in which the busy
season is not over. and collections are also
gOOd:" in Duluth. since the opening of
navigation. there has been some improve
ment in general business" in Milwaukee
the amount of business transacted is re-
ported of fair proportions. with prospects
better and collections slightly easier: in
st. Louis general trade shows a slight
improvement. and collections are good:
in Louisville "a steady s~easonah!e trade
is reported by jObbers in nearly all lines.
and collections are fairly good" in Chi
cagO general trade situation Is improv-
ed slightly" in Baltimore "the outlook for
the fall is encOuraging:" in Pittsburg
there has been a steady increase in the
volume of business" in Providence. Il. l..
cotton manufacturers who recently re-
duced their output have again started on
full time and capacity"
The Columbus journal., 1897-06-02

Farmers Feeling the Improvement.
In all of the different classes of indus
try in the United States. then. the person
who has the stick-to-it-iveness to hang
on till a change for the better comes is
sure to be the one to first regain his lost
resources. This change has set in and as
1t develops the farmer who has not closed
out his business will he the beneficiary
Of the improvement in the financial and
industrial cOndition.-Albany Journal.
The Columbus journal., 1897-06-02

grumbler. If we look below the surface
and study the custom house exhibits We
will see that the balance of trade has been
in favor of the United States for a year.
taking this period as a whole. Under a
proper tariff We would not only enjoy the
profits arising from this large balance.
but those derived from a greatly stimulat-
ed internal commerce as well. This fact
is well understood by business men. hence
their anxiety for the passage Of a suitable
tariff bill.-San Francisco Call (Rep.).
Hopeful Feeling AmOng Mercha"te.
The feeling of optimism is most notice
able in domestic merchandising. 1t is a
fact that the actual sales in April by
leading houses in each line of business in
the principal cities east of the Rocky
Mountains averaged only about ~ per
cent less than in April. 1892. the year of
the largest business in our cOuntry's his
tory. Returns of failures for April show
a decrease in number. amount and aver
age of liabilities in almost every branch
Of trade and in nearly all branches OF
manufacture. The only clouds on the bus
mess horizon are the di!atOry national
Senate and the various State Legisia-
lures that persist in remaining in session
and which operate as a serious disturb
ance to trade interests.-ChicaSO Times
Herald Qnd.).
Even Pryau's Organ Admtts IL.
Every Democratic newspaper in the
land admits that business is improving.
and rejoices that it is so. Only organs
xL,x ..-no, Dn,Il:oon admin m tinnS
rejoice when American business is pros
trate. This statement is backed up by the
proof. If the Star doubts it. let 1t search
the editorial pages of its Republican con-
beginning about Jan. l. 1888.
and ending promptly IN Nov. 4. 1896
Omaha World-H Herald bryan Dem.).
The Columbus journal., 1897-06-02

ProsDerity Stealing Upon h Country.
Is it possible that prosperity. has been
stealing upon the country unawares! For
many weeks past the reports of the COM
mercial agencies. though at times hopeful.
have been on the whole pervaded by a
lugubriOus tone: but in their last weeks
review Dun 4 Co. break into the OllOw
ing joyous strain: "Nearly all will be as
tOnished to learn that actual sales in
April by leading business houses in the
principal cities east of the Rocky Noun
tains average only about 10 per cent less
than in April. 1892. the year of the larg-
est business hitherto. and were q per cent
more than in the same month last year"
This fact, the Review goes on to say. is
especially encouraging in view of the
great fall of prices within the past five
,years.-Memphis Tribune Rep.).
The Columbus journal., 1897-06-02

A general survey of the business situa-
fion for the past week affords good
grounds for encouragement. The water
Is leaving the Mississippi bottom lands,
and it will be possible. after all. to raise
crops there. There is an improved de-
mand for goods at most of the great West
ern distributing c~enters. in spite of the
unreasonable GOODNESS of the weather.
There is a better call for iron and steel.
but production is still ahead of cOnsump-
Journal Rep.).
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-02
STAR POINTER, 2:OOs.
THIS THE REsuLr OF THE RACE
WITH .ATCHEx.
HEW WORLDS PACING RECORD.
sixty-Five Thousand People witaesa
the Achievement-weather Ia-
tenseiy Hot-scores Of Men aaA
Women Fsins-othcr Turf Events.

SPRINGFIELD, ILL, October LIN 4
race that was witnessed by at least $500
people. Star Pointer, on the Illinois State
Fair Grounds this afternoon, not only
maintaining his reputation as the king Of
PAGERS by beating Joe Patchen. but also
lowered the wTid's pacing record in .
race by half second: making mile ~
200 IL, the record In a race having been
2;0i, which Star Pointer made Saturday.
September 10th, at Indianapolis. when he
defeated Joe Patchen.
Star Pointer was greeted with tremen-
dous cheering by the assembled thou
sands as he passed under the wire IN the
third heat. and the announcement Of the
lowering OF the worlds pacing record in
a race was received with tumultous ap-
plause.
The record for 1897 for stations was>
also broken by William Penn, in the flrst
heat OF the free-for-all trot, he making
the mile in 2N 81.
The weather was intensely hot. and
scores of men and women OF the thou
sands who had stood in the sun along the
race-track for hours. with the mercury ~
GETAWAY DAY AT PIMLICO.
BALTIMORE, October l.--Get-awaf day
at Pimlico was characterized by rather
unintercsting racing. the winner I'm every
case landing the big end OF the purse In
straight heats. and with perfect ease
Judge Cox fell at the first turn In the
third heat of the 2S5 class race. and did
not finish, but this had no eject upon
the result.
The steeplechase resulted In a fairly
close finish between Mr.. j. Mex. Merri-
mans Harry Harwood, ridden by Mr..
Tyson. and that old campaigner Empress,
ridden by Mr. Spencer OF the other
starters. Calendar fell at the fourth jump,
and Bill BE D. at the seventh Neither
OF them finished. No injury was done to
the riders
The attendance was the best of tho
meeting. and the weather was again per>
feet. Results.
2:22 class-trotting two heats trotted ON
Thursday won in three straight
heats. Best time. 2:l6h. Mike, Germa.
Bonratela. Little Nance, Minnie Rysdyh,
Maric Internal, Pearl j. Maude H., and
IdlewIse also started.
2:35 Observation-Disclosures Goods won in
three straight heats. Best time. 2i6i1.
Daytime. Cleorice Valeo. jamie s.. Polly
Hanks. Onycha Wilkes Prince Wilkes,
and Judge Cox also started.
2:20 Observation-Disclosures G. won In
three straight heats Best time 2:i6is.
Little Tobe, Vic Wood Nominee. Little
Dance, X-Troth. Wood Chief. King Brine,
and Commercial Girl also started.
210 pacing-Efiie Powers won IN
three straight heats. Best time, 2:1ls.
o. NJ. c., Red SILK. and Princess NJ. also
started.
steeplechase-ful course. about two and
IA quarter miles gentlemen riders>-Harry
Harwood won Empress second. Calendar
and Billy Be D. unplaced, No time taken.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-02
Southern Railroad Statement.

NEW YOlsK, october 1.-The Southern
Railroad Company, through its president
and Board of Directors, made public It's
third annual report to-day. 1t covers the
year ending June 80, 1897. The report
shows the earnings OF the year closed
June 80. 1897. as compared with the same
period of 1896. The gross earnings for 1896
were $4,000. 2f7; for 1897. $l9 079, 499. This
is a decrease of $2747. The operating ex-
penses for 1896 were sl345l, AZ. and for
1897. $lo.239. 1856 This is also decrease.
but in far greater propor:lon-s2lS,29 in
amount The net earnings for 1896 were
IS $50 799; for 1897. $5,SlG.343, showing an
increase OF $2l55H.
The income from other sources for 1896
was SlsS.507: for 1897. S2S6.SS2; an increase
of S97. BPS The total net earnings for 1896
were s. S19,SO7: for 1887. $6,lSS,l76. This Is
an increase of s3l3,S69 Interest and
rentals for 1896 were &,18.57O; for 1897
IS 612. 23f: an increase of $S9S.S6i. Other de-
auctions from income for 1896 were $4. .459;
for 1897 s75. .022: an increase of S3O563.
Balance carried TO credit of profit and
loss for 1896 was $556.47S; for 1887, Sii5,9l9;
a decrease of $ll0,55S.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-02
OLD NORTH STATE.
cotton Receipts at RaIeigh-Arrcst
OF Alleged Moonshincrs.

RALEIGH, y. c., October 1.--(Special }
Inc cctton receipts here this season are
ohiy S'soS bales, against S,124 bales for the
same period last season. This is a great
railing of. The contrast I'm prices is
also great-last season at this date. 7S-s
cents; now, SIS cents. The cotton
growers were certainly never more de-
spondent. One. who now has 16O acres.
declares he VIII not, unless there is a
sharp rise in price, plant over ten acres
next year He says every cotton-g grower
has lost money this year.
Inc discovery Is made in the Piedmont
section OF this State, that flexible sand
stone. so plentiful there, is the best
material in the world for polishing
marble.
AT Franklinton yesterday, four men
and woman were bound over by a
United States Commissioner for moon
shining, for interfering with a deputy
marshal and deputy collector in iis-
charge OF duty, and also for highway
robbery. in holding up a negro car
riage-driver and taking from the car
riage a deputy collectors valse filed
with United States papers.
DR.. Clark has been arrested and taken
TO Pamlico county, on the charge of at
tempting TO kill his wife. He had fed
the county, owing TO the anger Of the
people.
The September Bulletin of the Agri-
cultural Department was not issued until
last evening. AS usual. it contains the
annual list of all the manufacturing en-
terprises in the State. There are 1,l67 of
these in the miscellaneous list, these
covering a aide range, but not including
cotton and woollen mills, which are in
separate list.