The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-09-05
TUESDAY. SEPTEMBER 8. 1899.
Tur SONG OF PROSPERITY.

THE SONG OF PROSPERITY.
OF late The Times has had a great deal
10 say about prosperity, for that Is q
,on,c on which we Ike to dwell. We take
the bright view Of life. We know that
This f. the greatest country under the
s,,n. that II IS capable Of the highest con-
d,tions OF prosperity and human happi-
ness and when we look about US and see
all the industries Of the country flourish
ing all the people az work and all enjoy
inc the fruit Of the land. we cannot re-
frain from talking about It, and whenever
we write on this subject It is with
feeling Of gratitude TO Almighty God for
his goodness and loving kindness TO man.
The Sunday papers from the North are
singing this song Of prosperity with en-
thuslasm. A New York correspondent OF
the Philadelphia Record says that evil
dences Of prosperity crowd on every hand,
that II the iron trade is a safe barometer
the situation warrants enthusiasm, as ev-
cry form OF the commercial metal glis-
tens with new value. Lumber. oil. and
virtually every product that enters into
the commercial arts command now a mar
ket value almost unprecedented. Taking
railroad earnings for a business barom-
eter. the surest perhaps OF all tests, the
exhibit, he says is splendidly inspiring.
That ten per cent. and twenty per cent.
increases are not the exception but the
rule. and not for the big systems only,
but for practically every well managed
property in the country.
We PASS from this correspondent to the
New York Times, which is one OF the
most conservative of newspapers. The
Times. In fits Wall street review, says
that good business conditions are no
longer a matter Of theory. but that evil
denee Of them is crowding. showing not
IN few spots. not in any uncertain way
but that prosperity seems 10 have ex-
panded in every quarter and good times
signs grow daily brighter and brighter
We quote:
In the commercial and industrial world
are score OF standard indications which
have recognition as safe business barOm-
eters. Some authorities rely upon the
volume OF railway traffic. some choose the
test Of agricultural conditions. some are
devoted to Jay Gouid's doctrine, that iron
Is the trustiest telltale. others rely on
other guides; but whatever the rule,
whatever the measure. the index points
straight forward 20 prosperity Unequiv-
ocal uniform. absolute IS the assertve
record. These good times are neither
myth nor dream; they are tangible TO the
revolution point Only professional Wall
street SPECTATORS and curio politicians
partlsans OF close kin--can profess TO
doubt or disregard what TO sane business
men has phenomenal attestation."
In addition to this The Times prints an
interview with President Marvin Hugh.
IT. Of the Chicago and Northwestern
Railway. who says that the general bus
iness outlook IS very reassurng. that
crops are good. railroads are busy man
ufacturers are unusually active. and mon
ey is comparatively easy. The country
he says. is certainly prosperous, and he
looks 10 see It continue 50.
jefferson Seligman. OF J. and W. sellg.
man & Co.. feels that IN no way but
through rose colored glasses can the pres
en-, business situation or the outlook for
the future be viewed. lie can see moth
INK to stop the worlds march OF prosper.
iiy. as never before IN the history Of the
country were business conditions on
such stable foundation Mills and fac
tories. he goes on. are taxed TO their az.
most capacity while the railroad busi-
ness IS limited only by the capacity Of
is rolling stock. lie does not think that
we shall ever fail hack to the conditions
tina, prevailed few years ago. In his
opinion the wealth OF the country and the
buying power OF the world have become
30 enormous that II Is only reasonable 10
say that the old forms OF business have
become obsolete and new era opened
n r. a strange thing indeed that with
these facts staring Us m the face. and
while the world Is basNng in the sun.
shine Of prosperity there should come out
OF the cellars a wall OF calamity. and that
some Of the orators who have their own
selfish political interests 10 sereve should
be trying to convince the people that
there il no genuine prosperity. and that
VIA; appears 10 be prosperity Is only
iitie ephemsfal boom that will soon pass
away AID leave the people In poverty and
slstrsAa Prosperity smiles upon Us and