New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-18
BUSINESS IN THE WEST.
WHAT COLONEL CHARLES II. JONES HAS
TO SAY OF IMPROVED CONDITIONS.

Colonel Charles II. Jones' of Missouri gave an
Interview to a Tribune reporter yesterday on the
present business conditions in the West and the
politicalt suaton from Democratic point of view.
Colonel Jones the writer of the Chicago free
silver PLATFORM and his long experience editor
has made him especially familiar with the business
and political conditions OF the section Of the
try OF which he speaks. or the business conditions
OF the West Colonel Jones said:
The business conditions OF the West a mat
ter Of geography. As to the question regarding
the Improvement OF business during the last two
years the improved conditions only exist In the
Northwest. That section of country has had two
good crops of wheat which marketed abroad
AT good price because of the shortage OF the
wheat crops in other countries This has made
the farmers OF the Northwest more prosperous than
they have been for ten twelve years, and the
prosperity OF the farmers means prosperity all
along the line. The profits OF the farmers from
these wheat crops have enabled them to spend
more money than they have spent before in years
This has increased the business of the retail stores
throughout the Northwest and has consequently
Increased the general prosperity OF that section
This is the secret and the meaning OF the increased
prosperity.
I'm Nebraska and other States many farmers are
paying of their mortgages.
In the Southwest-the territory tributary to st.
Lous-the planters. instead OF feeling more pros
porous. as hard pressed now as they have been
any time I'm the history OF that section. Cotton
IL low that II IN fact that a considerable part
OF the crop sold at less than the cost OF production
This does not mean that cotton cannot be pro-
duced in parts OF the country under favorable
conditions at even the lowest price reached last
year.
I'm some sections. owing to the low cost OF land,
its productveness and the divershcation of crops,
by which the planter is enabled to make profit. the
pinch is not felt. But on the other hand. in large
portions OF the South where cotton was planted on
lands that could produce proftably when the price
Of cotton was seven and eight cents a pound. it
could only be produced at a loss when such prices
those OF few months ago prevailed.
For these reasons the question OF prosperity is
in measure geographical Some parts OF the
country are prosperous, and the people are conse
quently hopeful Others depressed indus
trially as they during the period following
the panic Of 1898.
MY impression is that the farmers OF the North
west understand clearly that their prosperity is
not due to any political causes in operation at
home. but to the fact OF what may be called fam
Inc conditions that have prevailed in parts Of Eu-
rope and other countries While. as rule, the
existing administration usually gets the benefit II
not the credit Of improved Industrial conditions.
think the relations OF cause and erect, as outlined
the farmer that his prosperity is due to misfortune
elsewhere rather than TO political good fortune at
ITO be entirely frank, however should say, that
in my Judgment there is less discomfort among the
than at any time in the last ten or twelve years
In answer to question as 10 the possible erect
Of the feeling OF discomfort In the West In the COM
ing Presidential election Colonel Jones said:
Anybody who could answer that question could
tell with certainty the result of the campaign or
1900 AS to the Chicago platform don't believe
there Is the least indication of weakening by any
Democrats anywhere who were in favor of 1T three
years ago. II Is a fact patent everywhere that a
large number of the Democrats who were stam-
peded by the tremendous uproar OF 1896 have re-
ready to accept the platform Of the party as were
its most loyal supporters in the last campaign
Unless every usual political sign fails. the Demo
cratic platform OF 1900 will be the platform OF 1885,
only more So"