The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-04-16
BEATING THE RECORD.
The Tide of business This Yenr IL
Much Higher Than II Was
In 1892.


In a business sense the country has
advanced TO position hitherto UNI
touched. Along until month or two
ago the year 1892 represented the top of
the industrial wave. Immediately after
ward the tide sharply fell, and for two
or three years 1t was at the ebb stage.
In 1895 the tide again began to rise, but
il was checked and sent downward by
the Bryanite menace in 1896. The down
ward lurch was stopped by the honest
money victory in the latter part OF that
year. A slow but perceptible rise in the
business tide began year ago. when
that party resumed power. The move
ment gained momentum little over
half a year ago, when the party's in
dustrial Legislation went into opera
lion. Since the beginning of the pres
eat year it has reached higher mark
than was ever before touched.
This is the story which present condi-
tions tell. In bank clearances in the
country at large February figures beat
those of that month in 1892 to the en-
tent of six per cent. 1t did this. too. in
the face of the fact that that month of
1892 had the largest clearings ever
scored in any February in the country's
history. and in the face of the further
fact that February in 1892 had one more
business day than it had in 1898. Rail
road earnings at the present time are
beating all former figures, and the ten
dency. as in bank clearings. continues
upward. Merchandise exports exceed
imports to greater extent than ever
before at this time of the year. Iron pro-
duction for two months past has beer
at the largest figures ever reached. The
immense totals of the railroad earnings
mean more than appears on the surface
for prices of transportation are lower
than they were before the panic OF 1885,
occurred. The same fact as regards
MANY staple articles renders the in
crease in bank transactions, as indicat
ed by clearances. especially significant
Seldom at this season does gold i'm
portation take place. A few hundred
thousand dollars came in in this month
in 1896 and 1897. but for several previ
Gus wears the tide WASH in the other di
rection. Over $6,000.000 of gold, how
ever, has recently started for this coun
try. and some of it has arrived. Their
is no special need for this inflow, TO
| the banks are. on the whole, better sup
Piled with this metal than they eve
we're in the past, and the treasury
fund, which has just crossed the Sl6S,
boo, 900 mark. is at higher line thai
was reached before since the middle o
1890. To keep up the favorable exhibi
| which is made in all directions the rev
cnue is expanding at a rate not dreamed
of by even the most hopeful of the Ding
lev acts trainers at the outset. Febru
ary. 1898, showed handsome surplus
which is the first time in several year
| that receipts in that month exceeded eX
penditures. As the tendency of the res
enue has been steadily upward eve
since the Dingley law went into effect
the chances are that it will reach
much higher line than has yet beel
touched. SURPRISES instead of deficit
will probably be the rule hereafter. eN
cept as war preparations may swell tn
expenditures. AS 1892 has been SUI
passed in bank clearings and railroa
earnings. 1879. the year in which tn
relative business activity and prosper
ity of the past reached its high-wate
mark. will probably soon be left behind
st. Louis Globe Democrat.