Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1899-05-12
THE DAWN OR A BRIGHTER DAY.
An Era of Prosperity Now Opening for North Dakota
Such as Heretofore Has Never Been Experienced
Awakening from a Long Sleep.
REVIEW OF BUSINESS CONDITIONS.
A Look at the Past and a Glimpse Into the Future-The
Possibilities of Development Just Beginning to Be
Realized-North Dakota independence.


Realized-North Da
''Then Nokomis. the old woman. said to MIN
IT'S the moon wnen leaves are falling. All
the wild rice has peen gathered.
All the maize Is ripe and ready; Let us gather
In the land of the Dacotahs; in the land Of
handsome women
The land Of the Dacotahs is just
awakening from Il long sleep. The
business interests Of the Great North
land are becoming aroused, and har-
vest time will soo be at hand.
The man who has maue Il study OF
the general business situation in North
Dakota must be convinced that for us
an era Of prosperity is now opening,
such as heretofore has never been en-
p%erienced. \ short review of the bust
ness conditions which have heretofore
existed will be Of value in endeavorlng
to approximate and measure the extent
Of this general awakening; and to as
sist in judging somewhat Of the re-
cults that will naturally follow.
When we consider that this great
state, comprising such q vast extent OF
territory, was only a few years ago
made up Of level Or slightly rolling ara
BILE land, without growth Of timber
other than along the borders Of
stresms and rivers; that nine-tenths Of
this great area is ready for the plow,
requiring no greater expenditure or
time and money to open up than Is
necessary to prepare q smooth, level
hay meadow in communities further
east; and that great quantities of this
land has been and can now be pur-
chased for an amount not exceeding
the annual rental of the same quantity
of land in the middle states, we must
realize that this state has been, II Is
yet, essentially the poor mans refuge.
1t has been so recognized now for more
than Il decade, and thousands Of home
seekers, with no capital other than
the brains within their heads and the
muscles of their arms, have settled an
over our broad prairies and within the
borders Of our cities. Dur country was
new and untried, and heretofore capt.
tai, always conservative, has been ex-
ceptionally careful, so that money
when most needed was extremely diff
cult tt obtain. TO open up the new
farms required some money or its
equivalent, credit; and in order to pur-
chase the absolute necessaries to Oper-
crate their farms, the first ccmcrs Dor.
rowed at rates Of interest and usury
unheard Of elsewhere. Often the whole
years earnings went in the fall to pay
interest-that taskmaster, that gives
nothing in return, that never sleeps,
and never ceases to grind. Many
farmers failed, and were unable to
pay; and merchants and business men
suffered some reverses in consequence.
But the ~unexampled fertility Of the
soil %triumphed in the end. Where n
farmer laid down, another took up the
burden. A few became prosperous,
and when once out Of the grasp of the
money-loaner, rapidly became rich and
in a position to lend to their more for.
tunate neighbors. Foreign mortgage.
holders were paid off, and are now be.
ing paid off. The millions of dollars
that every year went East to pay in
terest were augmented by the principal
also returned; interest remained at
home, and the steady and unceasinI
drain of gold going east diminished
and is still diminishing at al increasing
ratio. AS q result, interest rates hav
dropped to q solid and safe basis, an
he who is now obliged to borrow t
carry on his business, can do SO a
rates which he can still pay and rea-
ize q good profit for his labor. The a.
tainment Of this condition Of affairs !
q wonderful tribute to the resource
and possibilities of the country. Here
tofore, interest rates being so higl
persons, residents of the state, VIII
had a surplus, were seldom tempted t
invest it in legitimate business ente'
prises. Speculation in lands or inves
ments in high-interest mortgages wei
safer and more profitable. Now thes
surplus funds are seeking investmeI
in mercantile and manufacturing pu
suits. Wholesale and jobbing interest
heretofore operated from st. Paul an
further east, are being localized in a
our cities, and with invariably sati
factory results. Each new line whe
opened up seems to surpass all expec
atoms of it's promoters, until we no
have many thoroughly-establishe
business interests which have bee
built up from home capital, and whic
have attained invariable and satisfac
DRY successes. Practically all u bus
ness interests have grown up in tt
past few years, when communiti'
further east were struggling with tt
panic and scarcity Of money. The pa
&c was to North Dakota q godsend.
taught her citizens the value Of the
own resources and to depend upt
these alone. We suffered from 1t
some places severely, but have reco
cred by our own exertions, and r b
coming day by day more free and ind
pendent from the country east Of us.
We ship each fall a continue
stream of golden wheat, and receive
return a stream Of golden coin, mo