The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-04-26
A Trade Journal on "Seares."

The Dry Goods Economist, speaking
OF .the ~"scares" that take place in trade
circles due to the war situation. is con
siderably more. optimistic than some OF
its contemporaries. Notwithstanding the
condition OF affairs grows Sraver each
day. The Economist editor was writing
before the actual state of war existed,
but there is much in what he gay which
might be applied. SO far as the principle
Is concerned, to-day. Calling attention
70 the uncasiness in trade due to appre-
tensions Of the future, the Economis.
regrets to say that this glorious and
hard-headed Nation. pridIng itself on
nothing more than on its common sense,
contains an undue proportion OF bust
ness men with tendency 10 premature
rattle. Hundreds of Europeans travel
ling In this country have reported their
impressions that we are the most nerv-
Gus people OH Garth; and heaven knows
that We do our best 10 live up. 10 the
reputation"
Many people will deny this state
ment, as being worthy OF q general
application. The Economist specifics
Come things which seem to indicate that
during the recent past there have been
:'scarcs" which have brought to the
surface considerable business timidity,
but this is not strange. for capital Is
naturally timId. mo girl shut upiin a
room with q mouse could get up a more
spectacular series OF Mysteries than that
which a portion of the American bust
ness community can display on equal
provocation,' says our contemporary.
It argues that we (meaning the bust
nose community fall from scare to
scare, from cholera rumors to the pres
idental election. from that to green
backism Or silverism, and thence. into
tariff agitation; and at each new scare,
business must be throttled, buying or
ders: cancelled, and consuming demand
checked, and the whole machinery slow
ed down and stopped"
The Economists reference 10 this tim
tdity tn the past is comewhat severe.
But coming down to the present state OF
affairs. and the effect of the war pre-
parations upon the trade OF the country,
the Economist thinks that there Is too
much scare; that the effect upon our
domestic business, at least In the imme-
n dlatc. future, will not be so disastrous as
many people, particularly .n tho mer-
camille lines, imagine. In It's vigorous
manner 1t makes these inquiries:
why In the midst OF the briskest re.
tal season known for years should
statesmen have 10 be hauled in from the
road because buyers won't buy the
goods that they are going to need n day
or a week later? Why should IL be-
stated. as It Is In the newspapers, that
Immediately upon our intervention In
Cuban affairs all our expor; trade mug,
cease, and why should the press be an-
Ithorized or permitted TO state that i'm
mcdtately upon the breaking out OF hos.
tiIltlcs'on bankers will curtatl CONNER
sacial loans and will decline to advance
money for moving the cotton crop? Can
not the commercial fraternity brace up?
Q course tho Economist was speaking
OF mercantile trade. ana. as Ills an
orFan ~ that branch OF business. /,
should DO Competent TO anawcr.l liz own
Dug tt3ns. 4 mere 10 a much gravcr 81
psst OF alfairs Affecting Tho general
~ 81 %