The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-08-12

even to strengthen and stimulate old
ones, 1t Is apparent that the entire bus
mess situation hung breathless upon
the results Of this legislation.
Now that the palicy OF the govern
ment has been finally written into the
law of the land, and must remain there
for at least four years, business men
will turn from the attitude of anxiety
produced by the uncertainties of the
situation, and take up the problems be-
fore them with renewed courage and
hopefulness. Nearly every condition
of the general situation Ia favorable
to prosperity making. Western crops
are abundant, and what is of greater
Importance to the farmers, the short
age OF the wheat crop In other coun-
tries insuree them at least, living
price. The advance in the price OF
wheat during the past month has re-
suited in net gain OF eight or nine
cents a bushel. Wheat has actually
been purchased in New York for ship
ment to the Argentine, from which
country millions of bushels were last
year exported. The evidence is ac-
consumers will need all our surplus
wheat, and in addition there are pros
poets of a new market IN the teeming
millions of Asia, which some believe,
will absorb tho entire surplus of the
Pacific coast.
Last year, by reason of the advance
in the price OF wheat over that Of 1895,
we received SO millions more for the
same volume of exports, that we did
the year previous. Government re-
ports indicate yield Of 32 million
bushels more this year than last, which
at the increased price now prevailing
| over last year, and which must con-
tinue to prevail. will give our farmers
nearly one hundred millions more for
this crop than they received in 1895.
| The producers OF cotton will not be
so fortunate, but they also have excel
lent promise Of good yield and re-
munerative prices.
Under these conditions, what can
stay the hand OF abundant and wide
spread prosperity? 1t is true that the
importations during the past six
months have been out of all propsr-
tion to the present demands Of the
country, and the stock OF imported
manufactured goods will last for some
time. But as the purchasing power OF
the people is augmented, this menace
to prosperity will gradually disappear
There is another fact that makes fol-
prosperity. 1t Is an undeniable fact
that the wealth holders Of the Nation
we're never before SO thoroughly fright.
ened as they were during the cam
paign of last year. The great captain;
Of industry now realize that even Il
they reap no immediate returns, the,
must set the wheels OF business NOV
ing and keep the people employed, or
as Mr.. Depcw has predicted, Bryan o
less conservative man will succeel
to the Presidency in 1900. Therefore
we must conclude that Hiere are abun
dant and well-founIed reasons for tn
growing confidence in revival of busi
ness which will be as marked as
will be welcomed and gratifying.
} Treasury officials are not at all con
fident that the courts will uphold then
in their decision that the Dingle
Tariff law went into effect at midnigh
OF Friday, sixteen hours and six min
utes before 1t became law. 1t Is tn
invariabe policy OF the department I
construe all doubtful questions affect
} ing the customs laws III favor of tn
government, relying on the person
. who have to pay the taxes to appeal
i the courts and have the decision rC
, versed if it is wrong. This policy ha
been followed in this case. The la
= officers OF the department found som
| decisions that seemed to bear out tn
Y contention advanced by Senator All
o son and Mr.. Dingley that the law re'
= ognized no fraction OF a day, and thf
= n law was in effect during the who
: of the day on which 1t was approve
n unless some subsequent date was flXe
o IN the act itself, and they determine