The Saint Paul globe., 1899-01-01
The New Year.

Inc NEW i ear.
The New Year which dawned this
morning is the next to the last of the
nineteenth century. OF itself, the year
in its progress has been filled with
many remarkable incidents particular
ly associated with our own country.
The century which is now twelve
month nearer to it's close than at
this time one year ago has been the
most extraordinary in the history of
the world in almost every line of de-
velopment; but this history may bet
ter be written two years hence in the
dawn of the twentieth century.
The year 1885, at it's beginning, af-
forded no index to the record which
was destined to be made up in the gen
eral scroll of time. The United States
was, on Jan. l of last year, at peace
with all the world. and with all sec
tions of the nations territory. The
condition Of affairs in Cuba. as then
existing, was net new nor sufficiently
serious to attract any more attention
than did the conditions at the close of
1896. when the recent death, by treach-
cry, of Antonio Maceo. the illustrious
mulatto leader of the Cuban forces,
had the effect of attracting larger SYM
pathy, perhaps. on the part OF our peo-
pie, with the insurgents who were COM
batting in their desultory way against
the forces of Spain in the island of
Cuba than had previously existed.
The tragic event of the year just
ending was the explosion under the
United States battleship Maine, and
the complete destruction of that vessel,
together with 253 lives of American
sailors. From that date, onward, to the
destruction of Cervera's fleet at Santi-
ago, on July 3 last. the intervening
period comprised a history creating
epoch. The day before Christmas was
notable in that, upon that date, the
representa- tives of the United States, to
the peace conference at Paris, to ar
range terms for the conclusion of the
war between the United States and
Spain. delivered their treaty to Pres-
dent Mckinley at Washington.
Meanwhile. as the result of the war,
the people of the United States have
found themselves almost imperceptibly
entering upon an entirely new govern
mental policy from anything dreamed
of at the time of the adoption of the
constitution one hundred and nine
years previously. Just what the polit-
ical issue shall prove to be, as the out
come of this accumulation of historic
events, the action upon the treaty, soon
to be laid before congress, must deter
mine. One truth is established, how
ever, namely, that the people of the
United States are destined to encour-
ter problems calling upon them for So
luton which a few months ago were
beyond speculation as to possibility.
In q business and trade sense the
year 1888 stands in the record as repre-
senting satisfactory results, of indus
trial endeavor, in a larger degree than
any of its predecessors. In 1897 the tide
turned in our national favor. through
the slackness of crop production with
direct reference to the supply of bread
stuffs, throughout the world, and our
own ability to meet the demand, no
matter whence it came, and at prices
which were highly compensatory to our
home producers. The first fruits of
the harvest of 1897 were reflected in
the extraordinarily high price of wheat
May or June, 1885, The Improvement
in the price of wheat, due to the worlds
shortage, had the effect Of bringing to
the sections of the country west Of the
Allegheny mountains millions of dol
lars for distribution among the agri-
cultural communities generally. The
year 1898 has been a marked one in
this same connection, by the return of
a large crop, accompanied by a fairly
profitable market, although nothing
approaching that associated with the
previous crop year.
But not alone in wheat, the volume Of
its production, or It's market price. but
in many other classes of agricultural
supplies, has the country generally re-
ceived satisfactory revenues Live
stock has commanded high prices both
for home consumption and for foreign
export. The dairy interests, especially
those OF Minnesota, have enjoyed the
advantages of a liberal demand for
their products. Meanwhile, the mer-
chants have been enabled to increase
their sales in the rural communities.
ard his condition has reflected itself
back to the jobbing centers of the
larger cities. Money has been easily
available on every line of worthy Sc
cErity as collateral at reasonable rates
: of interest. The entire spirit of indus
try has found in all this experience
of activity, in the trading relations.
something of a stimulating order, and
the old year goes out and the new year
enters under conditions which appear
most propitious.
The national and state elections held
in November indicated something Of
reservation on the part of voters with
respect to the Endorsement of national
policies of administration In Minne-
sofa the Republican party, which has
dominated the politics of this state
during period of forty years, was
overthrown in the chief executive
branch and a Democratic administra-
ton of the affairs Of this common
wealth was ordered by the people and