The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-06-20
SIGNS OF GOOD TIMES.
Wall Street Just n Little Ahead OF tho
March of Inprovemcnt.
(New York Times.)

Indications Of business Improvement
are as apparent in the West as they are
here.
Ex-Governor Roswell p. Flower, just
back from an extended Western tour,
met With evidences OF this betterment a
Chicago and at conspicuous trade CEN
tiers beyond. Mr.. Flower came in close
touch with railway men, bankers, man
ufacturers and others prominently den-
titled with commercial and indus trial un-
dertak kings. He started on his trip hope
full; he has returned confident.
TO Il representative Of the New York
Times, Governor Flower yesterday said
The West in common with all the
rest OF the country. is waking up. I'm
provement iS visible on all sides. 1t Is
not yet tremendous. But it is real 1t
is healthful, and it Is growing. Here in
the East we will hear from it much
sooner than has been popularity antici-
plted.
Chicago is better situated than cur
rent EaS tern ideas have it. Business is
not booming there, but the undertone is
one OF firmness, with indications point
ing 10 Improvement close III hand. The
Chicago business man ia not dependent
All the signs point 10 the coming Of
good times. AS the business clearing
house for the great Western country
Chicago is in a position to profit vastly
and Soon--for the farmers Of The West
are to-day in better spirits, with brighter
prospects. than has been their lot for
years. We in the East form too many
OF our ideas concerning Western condi-
lions from what we get through the
mcdiumship or agtating politicians
whose profession it Is to be always pro
claiming hard times. Such oraclcs are
cternally reckless OF facts. They are OPP
posed 10 admitting that there can be
good times, for good times will deprive
them OF the easy way they have of get
ting living. Fasteners have paid too
much attention 10 The harangues Of these
hard-timeS apostles. A trip to the West,
talk face to face with Western bust
ness men. disposes of Il good many de-
lUsons that have more or less gained
foothold here.
in Kansas within the last few years
the farmers: have been able TO pay off
. per cent. of their mortgages. There
is more significance i'll that one fact
than in all the sensa tional stuff which
self seeking politicians impose upon
Eastern credulity.
Prospects for Western farmers are
better to-day than al any time in The
past. Crops promise well--much better
than lately 5shadoWed Indications ac-
cumulate, too tina; our crops will be in
largely increased demand abroad Per-
sonally, l am convinced that the Ameri-
ca farmers are in for great good times.
ana This opinion is not minc alone; it Is
.hc upiil!oi' ut cool heaGcd. ObSerNant,
calcula ting business men in tnuch with
the crops and the markets OF the world
Among the iron. men in the North
west whom met there is Il noticca bic
increase n business confidence. ~ a
matter Of fact. hardly 4 single bushes
man at OF beyond Chicago talks other
Wise th2n confidently. They realize. as
or course we all do. that the good
times 80 much desired are not We; fully
developed hut indications Of improve
i,!chl are neither vague nor uncnrta ain :;
ihev are in Il hundred ways disccrnible
{" u"hbt or 10 question the coming of
thr5& 5000 times IS 70 he wiIlf,llly con
tcmptuous Of facts that exist and facts,
when soon ale bound 10 become dom
inant
10 my mind. the new activity in Wall
SiEss;. WIN Us accompa nyiny strength,
IS a!iogether ate-perfccily nat,r-
ia! wall street Is merely little ahead
81 in" WhGle country'S march into i'm
proVcmcnt.'