Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1900-04-04
SIGNS Of PROSPERITY.


General business moves on In In
ereasing volume, and with prospects
never surpassed in the history of the
country. 1t Is an inspiring outlook.
At this time, with "A presicentialcam-
paign ahead, il Is well to weigh new
and favorable conditions that have
been established and that promise n
long continuance of present activi-
ties, with n steady enlargement.
Business men a see that all the
wheels are turning and that in some
branches Of industry work goes on
night and day. The question, there
fore, resolves itself into this: Is the
prosperity witnessed on every hand
likely to last. What are the proofs
Of stability In addition to the old
elements several Others ARE entering
the situation for the first time. One
is the unquestioned gold standard.
At home, and every where through
cut the world, the dollar of the
United States il the recognized equiv
alent of 100 cents ingold. Beforethis
measure of value can be changed the
assailants OF n currency measured in
gold must gain control of both
houses Of congress, and the chance
that they can ever do il, it the faceof
past tests of public opinion IN the
subject, is so faint that it need not
be taken into the account.
On the strength of certain adher-
ence to the gold standard the credit
OF the United States has become the
best In the world. Its = per cent
bonds command n premium. No
other nation can borrow money ut
this rate. Then the new financial
law provides for an important in
crease In perfectly seclre, goldtpro-
teeted currency, according to the
wants of trade. The authority To
issue national bank notes up to the
full value Of the bonds deposited
opens the door to an increase in the
currency Of S2a, 2OO, 900. Should all
the . per cent bonds be used for ma
tional bank issues the Increase In the
currency could be S3j0.D00, 0O0. All
will not be so employed but the OPP
portubity IL clear. In villages or
rural neighborhoods national banks
may be started with q capital OF
S25. 1000. The basis for banking has
been immensely broadoned and pop
ulariped without any loss OF security.
Another feature OF the new law ID
the breaking of the endless chain.
Greenbacks can not I've presented
again and agein to drain the gov.
eminent gold reserve.
With thu gold standard settled,
and an adequate supply Of money
equivalent to gold assured. the mar
Of affairs turns to inspect the general
aspects of business. The foreign
trade Of the United States was heav.
Ter last month than In any preceding
February, exports exceeding imports
by SOL. 900, 900. Exports of manufac
lures are growing rapidly and THU
year will go beyond $4OO, 000, 900. Elk
pansIon comes I'm az an important
factor. The country will not b,
fenced In, nor shut off from the just
advantages OF Its position on the Pa
cifc. American hundiwork and skill
are held in higher estesH,throughou
the world than they have been a
any previous period. Nothing II
likely TO disturb these conditions. A
political change in the government
scarcely enters into the calculation
: of business men. Theydo not expec
: II, and to expect would he To fear
Ordinarily, II presidential year Is
check to business. The fact that iii
not so in 1900 is an Indication tina
the success Of the party Of prosperit.
il regarded as certain.-St. Loui
Glube-Democrat.