The Monitor-register., 1897-07-02
As to Prosperity.

"A tohMON oENSE VIEW OF THE CUES
TIoN BY A SOUTHERN NEWSPAPER.
Petersburg "Index Appeal (Dem).
While it is not just to class as a ca
lamity bowler for partisan effect every
business man who has become infected
with the contagiOn of croaking hard
times and business depression, it is
nevertheless true that with many parti-
sans the wish for had times as a
means for discrediting the pres ant ad-
ministration and ;nsuring it's defeat in
1900 is father to the thought as we'll
as to the expression. 1t is also true
hat many good and honest men are
uuconsciously betrayed into aiding the
mal;gn influence of these partisans, and
exaggerating the actual condition of af,
fairs by the cry which they hear about
them everywhere, and in which they
join. too often, with unreasopiug ia
cility.
To illustrate, a gentleman who is in
the enjoyment of a good salary and who
has, on his W account, a small bust
ness which he says is more prosperous
now than ever before, was heard recent
ly to complain that, on account of the
hard times, he could not afford an ir.
diligence to which he had been formerly
accustomed. The complaint was prompt
ly challenged by his employer, who re-
minded him that, according to his own
statement, bis little private business en-
terprise was more prosperous than ever
before, and that his salary was now
what it was about ten or fiftee years
ago. On the other hand, the cost of
every item of living, including the Gov
eted indulgence, was less than one-half
of what it was ten or fifteen years ago,
and, so far from pra eticing self denial,
there was absolutely every reason why
he shoald have INDUCED himself, if he so
wished. The gentleman referred to is
not narrow, illiberal or partisan, bat
only the victim of his environments. By
the force of association he was led
honestly to believe that, in m on
with everybody else, he was suffering
from the hard times, and s%traightway
he was tightening his purse strings and
contributing to make the times harder.
All the omens are suspicious to an
early revival of trade and return of pros
perity. He is but a casual and indiffer.
ent observer who has not already noted
~ NOT nnlu IN fha oorpoet a,;Jora.,
which Congress and the Administration
are giving of their purpose to aid the
return of good times, but in the actual
evidences of the very presence of better
times now. Our exports, not only OF
agricultural products but of manufac-
tured articles also show it, as does also
the gradual revival of Industrial enter
prise in many parts of the country. One
year ago there was hardly a wooden mill
in Rhode Island running on full time,
but to-day it is the exception to find a
mill unemployed, aud is stated on
good authority that some are having
their yarns made outside to keep up with
orders. Some of the largest law England
cotton mills have more orders than they
can fill at an early day, and the iron and
steel industries are said to be in an
equally prosperous state. Is there not
in this much to encourage business
men, especially in view of the fact that
We shall soon have the tariff question
settled for at least four years, and this
disturbing element removed?
Let merchants take a more hopeful
view of affairs, stop moping, and push
business with intelligence and Wig or,
and if anybody is silly enough to be dis
appointed because Mr.. MoKinley's cleo
tion, per Sc, has not brought in its train
a stream of prosperity, let him go and
soak his head, and try to take a ra
tional and c~ommon-sense view of things.