THE COURIER
Y
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Notwithstanding tho unsettled con
dition of ulTairB business in some Hiich
is fairly good. Dry goods men report a
very fair trade and overall and nhirt
factories aro rushud with orders. In
other lines business in not so good and
general t ratio is picking up very slowly. Col
lections aro larger and hotter than for some
weeks past. Country merchants aro somo-
what depressed on account of tho continued dry weather; hut there
is no causo for bcrious apprehension as yet from this cause. Ft
oven should crops bo slightly damaged it is still early enough in the
season to replant. Small grain has suffered severely, hut tho land
has mostly been turned into corn and tho acreage of this cereal will
probably bo larger than over before
An early spring has its disadvantages as well as its advantages, as
has bcon amply demonstrated. Tho recent frost has done much
dam ago, both vegetables and fruit h title ring severely. It's dis
astrous results will bo most keenly appreciated in tho fruit growing
sections of Iowa and Missouri.
Tho canal project at Omaha is moving along rather slowly, and it
ib now feared that tho heavy support expected from certain quarters
may not bo forthcoming. Tho failuro of this enterprise would bo a
soro disappointment to tho energetic promoters, and it is to bo hoped
that it will not fail on account of a lack of supiort from a class of
citizonB that would bo most benefitted by its successful consumma
tion. If tho heaviest property owners of Omaha aro unwilling to
givo liboral financial aid to tho movomout tho largo mass of citizens
can hardly bo expected to burden Douglas county with a heavy
bonded indebtedness. Affairs wero progressing so smoothly that
thero was talk of a spocial election for voting tho bonds, and tho
promoters still hope to bring matters to a close within tho noxt fow
weeks.
Tho tariff question seems no nearer a sottlcmont than over, and I
would not bo surprised to sco congress adjourn without bringing it
to a voto. Should this como to pass thero can bo little doubt ib to
what will becomo of tho Wilson bill ultimately. A republican houso
would never allow this mcasuro to pass. Congress may at this timo
bo very appropriately compared to tho granger legislature of our
own stato in that tho main hope seems to bo that it will adjourn
without doing anything. Tho timo for it to do any good has past.
A review of this session presents, oven to tho most unprejudiced, a
history of disappointment and failure. Had congress convened for
tho solo purpose of destroying confidence in a Hairs financial and
shaking our commercial institutions from turret to foundation stone,
it could not have gono about it moro systcmatically4lian it did.
Tho repeal of tho Sherman act, resulting in tho depreciation of
Bilvcr, brought disaster to tho silver producing states of tho union.
Tho threat of freo silvor unsettled tho money markot to bucIi an
oxtont that bankfl throughout tho country suspended at an appaling
rato. And notwithstanding nil tho agitation and trouble no decided
action was taken until tho silver bill was finally vetoed. Tho tarilT
bill is now undergoing a process of amendment and delays, and tho
chances aro that tho Wilson bill will never pass. Meanwhile
factories are shut down, thousands of unemployed aro clamoring for
work, and although tho country is in good condition in every way,
a period of stagnation is forced upon us and wo must needs sit by
and hopo for tho adjournment of that body of men who should bring
succor to tho country, and exert their best abilities to reestablish
our institutions on a solid footing. Tho causo of tho troublo is very
apparent. Elected on their promises, tho democratic party mot
with unexpected success. Finding themselves in jniwer it became
necessary for tho democrats to redeem their pledges. Many of
them, honestly convinced of the wisdom of their plans, attempted to
carry them out. Tho moro thoughtful, however, fearful of the con
sequences, hesitated and wero lost. For gradually but surely tho
conviction forced itself iiKn them that tho enforcement of their
policy would bring untold disaster to tho country, and they with
drew their support from tho very measures which had insured their
election. A business man, lacking tho firm decision which only
comes with experience and which always characterizes tho man of
ability, lacks tho most imiortnnt essential to success. No matter
what tho financial worth of such a man, lacking that ability and
firmness, ho never has tho confidence of tho public and few would
entrust their capital to his keeping. Tho same pro'Mmition applies
to a nation. No matter how prosperous its condition a vascillating
government will shako tho contldencu of tho world in tho stability
of its institutions and tho withdrawal of capital is hound to follow.
-
Much has been said and moro written about tho steady outflow of
gold and tho monomotallists and financiers have como in for a largo
amount of abuse in connection with this seemingly inexplicable
condition. Ono of tho most plausible theories and one that applies
to general conditions as well, was recently volunteered by a well
known financier. Beginning with tho general collapse of affairs in
Argentina and tho failuro of tho Darings in London, which followed
the general unsettled condition in South America, Knglish and
European investors hastened to withdraw from these fields. No
tempting investments were offered in Europe. Our election took
place and a change of iMilitics followed. At this time business hero
was in a prosperous condition; our stocks nnd bonds brought good
figures and a most promising Held for investment lay open to foreign
capital. Had tho new administration, appreciating tho situation,
used every endeavor to maintain tho confidence of tho world, capital
would naturally havo como this way. When, however, affairs hero
began to assume a doubtful aspect, and gradually tho earmarks of a
panic became visible, what more natural than tho withdrawal of in
vestors who had already lost heavily in tho southern republics,
what moro natural than tho outflow of gold, for which tho mono
muTallists havo been so severely and unjustly censured?
Speaking of tho industrial movement it is surprising to hear tho
views expressed with regard to this agitation. That it Ib a question
of moro importanco than appeared at first no longer admitB of a
doubt. Tho doctrines of Coxey and his adjutants seemed ridiculous
in tho oxtromo, and in fact, their evident object was tho attainment
of that cheap notoriety common to tho gonus crank. But whatovor
may havo bcon tho primo factor in tho beginning, tho affair has cer
tainly assumed a serious aspect. Thousands of men havo becomo
imbued with tho idea that a pilgrimngo to Washington will bettor
their condition. Freight trains havo been forcibly soized, tho lifo of
travelers on tho public highways endangered, trafllc on entire systems
has bcon paralyzed and tho property of tho railroad companies has
been protected with tho greatest difllculty. Many reputable citizens
actually countenance tho movement, nnd unhesitatingly
sympathize with it. Every effort to check it has thus far been
unsuccessful nnd tho impecunious hordes continue to move on to
tho national capital. What will they do when they got thorw? They
certainly can do no good and in tho meanwhile they aro doing much
harm. liusincss is feeling tho effect of tho movement nnd it has not
oven the merit of making tho public more hopeful, Every endeavor
should bo used to frustrate this unwholesome agitation. As yet
thero lias been little violence but matters cannot long remain in a
passive stato and tho good common souse of tho American people
should sufllco to prevent a condition of affairs which is unworthy of
our great republic. If tho sympathy of tho public is withhold tho
commonweal armies now in existence will disband and men will onco
moro turn their attention to tho everyday business life,
Amikict Amhua.no.
FL ATI RON.
"Tho Chinese aro a very ancient race."
"Yes; you will discover in our American cities that thoy belong to
tho ago of iron."