Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1898-02-16
NEW INDUSTRIES IN THE SOUTH.
The Atlanta Constitution Notes Hany Evil
dences of Returning Prosperity.

The Atlanta Constitution, albeit
Bryanite and a professor of the creed
that declares 40 cents To be the equiv
alent of one dollar, has become
aware of the fact that prosperity
has followed the rejection OF Bryan
and the election of Mckinley. 1t
notes the establishment of no fewer
than four hundred and sixty-nine
new industries in the South alone
between October. 1897, and January,
1898. 1t may be well to quote the
words of this famous organ of Demo-
Populism:
Altogether the number of indus
tries which have sprung into exist
ence in the South since Oct. i, 1897,
aggregate 469, divided among the
various states of this section in the
following manner: Alabama, 80;
Arkansas, 80; Florida, 80; Georgia.
"a; Kentucky. 80; Louisiana. 16: Mis-
sissippi, II; North Carolina, 80; South
Carolina, "a; Tennessee, 49; Texas,
60; West Virginia, Al; and Virginia,
80.
We congratulate the Southern
states upon this magnificent revival
of prosperity, and we compliment
the Atlanta Constitution upon Its
accurate compilation of statistics.
The South is getting its share in
universal betterment of conditions.
The trade of the United States in De-
cember, 1897, was worth $3.50. .322 ,965
in exports and So, ,275, 1893 in imports.
In December, 1896, the export trade
was worth $124, 1O6,75 and the i'm
ports $61 1866, ,413; the excess of ex-
ports over imports being $62, lac, 1853
for the last month of 1896 and &c.,
O47, ,766 for that of 1897. Here is a
gain of very nearly Sl4 4,0O0,O 900 on the
credit side of the national balance
sheet. In no month of any year has
there been such a credit balance az
in December, 1897. The red gold oi
Europe must few to the United
States in payment of the debts con.
tracted for what it buys from us in
excess of what it sells us. Moreover
we fast are buying back the shares
and stocks in United States enter
prises that long have been held
abroad. This means much. The in
terest upon American debentures ID
being paid to Americans, and the
being paid to Americans instead o
to Europeans, whenever "A transfer
of American shares, bonds, or stocks
ia made from u European to- ar
American holder.
One leakage, however, should b,
stopped quickly. We now pay $500,
900, 900 year for transportation o
American passengers and goods In
ships owned by foreigners. The Ell
kins shipping DILL should be passed
at once.
The total value of United State,
commerce during the last year wal
81 .s41 900. 200. Compared with tn,
preceding twelve months, our i'm
ports increased $6l 900. 900. and oul
exports $94, ,OOO, 900. So that it agair
is made plain that a judiciously ar
ranged protective tariff enlarges oul
foreign commerce as well as oul
home market. Another circum
stance is worthy of note; although
the Wilson tariff was lower and lesl
protective than the Dingley measure
the value of goods imported free o
duty during 1897 was greater thar
during 1896.
We are moving forward fast
Money circulates more freely, the de
mand for labor il greater, the quail
ity OF woOlen goods sold is better
the use of shoddy Is less, the liquida
tion of mortgages is more general
the purchasing power of the peopl
is greater this year than at any tim
since 1S92.-Times-H Herald.