The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-10
THE HARD TINES.

There has not been a restoration of
prosperity TO the point that every man
has a surplus over his debts. nor has II
reached the point on this Coast when
every man can find employment. But the
general run Of business Is better than 1T
has been for two years. Merchants who
were too leniea4 TO mer who were-not
altogether un3ustifably-too sanguins OF
the future, have not yet Strengthened out
the old accounts. bat the volume of good.
sszdy cash business is increasing very
perceptibly. Most Of the local factories
are running full time. mills are starting
up. mines are being developed, shippers
are busy. and the hardware. grocery and
general supply merchants have done
very fair trade.
There are some people who do not know
they are awake until they are out OF bed.
and there are some people who will not
know hard times are past until the oppor-
funity 10 take advantage OF the return
ing tide has slipped By. Men like Presi-
dent Hin are already planning how to
handle the increased business they expect.
selecting chances for the profitable en-
ployment OF their money.
The mining outlook in this state was
never brighter. For years We have talked
Of our great resources. but 1t was only
when the hard times came upon US and
necessity stimulated renewed effort In
fresh fields that with pick and drill. we
set TO work TO demonstrate that there was
mineral wealth In plenty. There is enough
gold ana copper. silver and lead in the
state 70 keep busy and prosperous pop
ulation far beyond that We can boast OF
now. 1t is folly TO suppose that every In
corporated mine ; to be a bonanza; and
1t is unwlse to be tempted by every catch
penny scheme TO sell stock. Judgment
must be used or loss viii ensue; and II
viii not be the state that Is TO blame. but
the bad judgment OF the credalous spec
ulator.
II IL not by mines alone. however. that
the hard times will be obli,erated this
summer. Most people win only benefit in
directly by the business which mining
VIII start, but they Will benefit as surely.
Every line OF industry and every branch
| Of business will feel the impetus. We
are not so sangulne as to believe that a
boom" Is 10 again strike Seattle. and few
/ here desire 1t, but that steady. assured
| change Is taking place cannot be doubted.
/ IL manlfests Itself in little trickling
/ streamlets. new buildings going up. ex-
/ penditures upon houses going on. de-
/ cidodly moro general tendency TO pay bills.
/ and a planning for the future instead Of
I the numDed despair OF two years ago.
! IL is inevitable: the necessities OF the
/ people will compel the revival as surely
/ as 1t has always done. In Europe. and
especially England and France. there is
/ prosperity greater than has been en-
! joyed for quarter OF a century. IN the
Eastern states the stringency Is prae-
tically over. We now realize that prior to
the panic we had been through a long
and prosperous period which had ca5oled
men into schemes for fortune making far
beyond their capital. The intense specu-
iative spirit was so general that when the
/ day OF reckoning came the shock was
/ widespread. and the time OF redemption
has been proportionately prolonged. The
liquidation Is about over. but men are
very wary about letting their money &c
cut again. and the restoration must bs
/ SLOW