I WHEATBOOMSTHEWEST
m Governors and Mayors Agree that
U Prosperity Has Set Its Seal
on the Land.
sMI
I ( From the New York Journal of Aug. 20 , 1897 ; lending free silver organ in 1800. )
BI A lurS number of representative merchants of the West have recently vis-
B | Ited New York and have expressed decidedly hopeful views of the business
MS outlook. In view of the fact that these opinions have had a beneficial effect by
H | their tendency to strengthen confidence and promote better times , the follow-
i luS telegram was sent to Western Governors and Mayors :
O Will you kindly telegraph to the Journal your opinion of the prospects for a
Q business revival" in your city or State , giving what you consider the best reasons to
HI anticipate a prosperous state of trade for the coming autumn.
M W. It. HEARST ,
fm EDITOR N. Y. JOURNAL.
ffl To this generally addressed request many answers have been received ,
[ 1 among them being the following :
Ik governors.
fln Jnm-B A. Mount , Indiana.
n The business revival in Indianapolis and
k throughout Indiana is unmistakably gratlfy-
, I lng. In tliis city the Improvement has been
tl most marked during the last fortnight , and
H It bears convincing evidence of being sub-
H Btautial und permanent. It IS noticeable in
R every avenue of trade , and is so pronounced
M that it is admitted even by whilom prophets
D of evil. Indianapolis is admittedly one of
W the greatest railroad centers in the United
fj States , and oue of the most striking evl-
* | deuces of the dawning of a new era of lu
ll dustrla ] and commercial prosperity is found
M in the fact that the number of loaded cars
gw • at this time Is almost unprecedented , the
MS offerings to the transportation companies
[ ES being sufficient to overtax their equipment
K and facilities.
W D. M. Clou h , Minnesota.
s\ \ The business outlook for Minnesota and
[ • the Northwest Is , to my mind , very hopeful.
' The farmers have fair crops , and will re-
i celve good prices therefor. This assures the
I merchants and the manufacturers a good
I cash trade this autumn and winter. The
I railroads will , In carrying the crops to niar-
! ket , be able to earn and pay their old-time
J dividends. Already labor realizes the ben
efit In greater demand for employment.
There are at present but few Idle men In
Minnesota who desire work. Advancing
prices and better-markets , which result from
the farmers' Improved condition , promise a
still greater demand for labor and an early
edvance in wages.
Robert B. Smith , Montana.
Our people are strong in the belief that
more prosperous times will prevail in this
State. Our farmers and stockmen are re
ceiving good prices on account of failures
In India , Argentine Republic and Australia ,
and our capitalists are beginning to realize
that legitimate mining is as safe as any
other enterprise and produces larger profits
to the Inve&tor.
F. M. Drake , Iowa.
From all over the State come tidings of
increased business activity. The rise In the
price of grain has materially helped in de
veloping this activity , making money more
plentiful. Merchants are getting In larger
stocks of goods than for some years past.
Bank deposits and clearances are steadily
Increasing , and there Is a general air of
confidence in the business outlook.
C M. Barnes , Oklahoma.
Oklahoma has harvested the most bounti
ful crop of wheat ever produced on a like
number of acres. We have a ' large crop of
corn now made. . , Prospects are excellent for
a good cotton cgep ; our peaches and crapes
are not xcellaMj henjjMtlty qKgj ! > tf * :
* * creased prices , will bring prosperity to the
A fanners of the Territory and through them
E to all lines of business and .trade.
m "E. "W. Scofield , 'Wisconsin.
Excellent crops , the fact that the lndus-
tries of the country have long been at ebb
V tide and stocks exceedingly low , and general
1 hopefulness are the reasons for anticipating
m a prosperous state of trade for the , coming
autumn.
I Asa S. Bnshnell , Ohio.
E The confidence of the people following the
I settlement of the tariff question , and the
I bounteous crops which command good prices
I will cause a satisfactory restoration of prosperous -
perous business conditions. Every evidence
1 of the present gives promise of a bright fu-
B ture for Ohio.
H W. A. Richards , Wyominsr.
It Times .are already better In Wyoming.
K Debts , notes and mortgages of long stand-
B lng are being paid. Our banks have plenty
of monev received from this source. There
a Is an Increased demand , and higher prices
L for cattle and sheep caused by the duty on
F hides and Mexican cattle and on wool , which
B Is also going up In price.
B. J. Franklin , Ar'znna.
ffi The business outlook of this section is
( ft quite promising. Phoenix Is enjoying a sub-
Hi stantial growth ; new business houses are he
al. Ing opened , and substantial buildings are
M' being erected in all parts of the city. The
3 < three leading Industries of Arizona are min-
lng agriculture and cattle raising , and all
B are flourishing. The mines this year will
B vleld more than any previous year. Cattle
Bj rule higher than for years.
H Governor Leedy , KananB.
m Considering the State as a whole , Kansas
has excellent crops this year. The failure
' of the grain supply in other parts of the
B world has naturally resulted In a great deB -
B mand for Western grain and better prices
H therefor. My Judgment is that this will im-
M prove our fall trade without doubt.
2 Silas A. Holcomb. Nebraska.
I Nebraska produced in 1896 nearly 300,000-
I 000 bushels of corn , quite a percentage of
which yet remains In the State. The corn
1 crop this year will equal or excel that of.
J last. Her crop of wheat this year Is enor
mous , reaching from forty to fifty million
bushels , which , because of foreign active de
mand. Is being disposed of by farmers at
much more satisfactory prices than have
been received of late. Live stock Interests
have assumed large proportions , and are
constantly growing even with the • prevailing
low prices. These and many other branches
of Industry add materially to business activ
ity Nebraskans have been buying but little
during the period of business depression ,
using their means to meet pressing obliga
I tions. They are now beginning to pay.
\ # j. R. Roeers. WashinKton.
of wheat and bar-
\ Abnormally large yields
fe .
for them. In the grain
l * ley. with fair prices
f - belt of eastera Washington , a good crop of
moderate prices In western Wash-
i horis at
{ lngton , an abundance of fruit at a fraction
1 aboveT the cost of production In all portions
1
of the State , supplemented by gold mining
developments along the northern boundary
and the Umulus of the Klondike discoveries
to Alaska , have united to give the people of
Washington a cheerful prospect.
William P. I ord Oregon.
Present prospects of a business revival are
excellent. Already a marked Improvement
to business Is anticipated. We have large
with good prices , with Indications of
crops
steady advance. Our wheat and oat crops
are large. Hop crops are above the average ,
arid prices are much better than last year
was good and cattle and other
The wool clip
stock are selling for good prices.
1
MAYORS.
J. D. Phelan , San Franci co.
There Is every prospect of business revival
in San Francisco. First , the crops have been
large and satisfactory ; the prices of fruit
and grain have materially advanced , which
not only has brought Increased revenue to
the producers of the State , but has Inspired
them with confidence and courage. The
local merchants are already feeling the ben-
. R ot tls creation of wealth by the men
of the soil. The stimulation given to mining
yu. . oranzed , and Individual prospecting ,
which has been very successful , is especially
noteworthy , and It is closely estimated that
pur mines will yield at least $20,000,000 of
cTr 1 . " . 8 tals this year , as against
a
$ i > , uouuoo last year.
t. C. Stnw , Grand Rapids.
The settled wise policy of our Govern
ment , together with confidence among man
ufacturers and business men generally , as
sures better prospects. Local causes are
crops above the average in our State , with
advanced prices for the same. Furniture
factories are running on full time , and a
large and Increased number of municipal
Improvements give a sure basis for an in
crease of trade.
Henry Trnelsen , Dnluth , Minn.
. . Th , e outlook for faI1 trade at the head of
, , , ? s , s veT ? Promising. Prospects of a
splendid yield of wheat In Minnesota and
tne Uakotas , which will command good
p , ? i ? . on acc ° ant of short crops elsewhere ,
win bring money in abundance to the Ndrth-
west The lumber market is In splendid con
dition , with demand good at advanced prices ,
guaranteeing heavy operations in lumbering
next winter. Labor at the present time is
In good demand at fair wages. Shipments
of iron ore are heavy. All this goes to
prove that prosperity will again smile on
the head of the lakes.
P. Pennoyer , Portland.
The large crop of wheat In Oregon , and Its
enhanced value , owing to a shortage of crops
elsewhere , will be of great advantage to us.
If we could be assured that these two condi
tions would be . permanent it would restore
confidence.
S. M. Jones , Toledo , O.
, . Tne people seem to have taken heart , now
that Congress has adjourned , and they have
nothing to fear from the law-makers , as our
State Legislature is not in session. The
abundant harvest and good price for grain
are causing a distribution of $100,000 a day
from Toledo. The farmers. In turn , are buy
ing Implements , and this , of course , starts
the Industries. Yes. prosperItyJ ? H riv _ , , Hn
< M r . * rsTa5cn of encouragement.
Business is good and Improving. Our city
trade Is cautious , as almost everybody
is exhausted from unwise investments In
real estate during boom times. The im
provement , no doubt , comes from higher
prices for farm products , from a natural re
covery from a collapse , and from a strong
belief that the tariff question seems to be
settled for four years at least.
C A. Fellows , Topeka , Kan.
Wonderful revival in business and confi
dence In Topeka. The railroad shops and
all factories are running to their full ca
pacity. More buildings have been erected
during the past six months than In the pre
ceding four years. Money is plentiful , the
Interest rates reduced and property changing
hands at Increased prices. Practically , no
Idle laboring men are In the city.
Frank E. Monres , Omaha , Neb.
Among the Indisputable evidences of re
turning prosperity and confidence in the
business future of Omaha I might mention
the million dollar packing plant now In proc
ess of erection here by Armour , the $400,000
union depot now building , the magnificent
buildings for the Trans-Mississippi and In
ternational Exposition In 189S , now In con
struction , and the numerous other public
Improvements which are being made in the
city.
John MacVicar , Des Moines la.
A good crop of wheat and good prices as
sured by foreign demand give the railroads
good business and assure a good balance of
trade in our favor. Iowa has a large amount
of corn in cribs and a good prospect for the
coming crop , and the situation of wheat has
helped the price of corn considerably. Iowa
has fed. In the last eight months , and is now
feeding , a large number of cattle. This has
made the feeders considerable money.
Robert Pratt , Minneapolis.
The settlement of the tariff question , the
Increased prices for our abundant crops , the
more general employment of labor at better
wages , the appreciation of values all along
the line , serve to create among our people
the conviction that prosperity has reached
us. These conditions , with the return of con-
dence and a better present trade , would
seem to assure us a prosperous business for
autumn.
James M. Jones , Kansas City , Mo.
The tidal wave of prosperity and renewed
business confidence which Is sweeping over
this great agricultural section of the Middle
West , has swept too far to make It neces
sary to talk of good prospects. Business
prosperity is a real thing right here In our
midst , and the Impulse has already been
felt by every line of business from producer
to manufacturer.
M. P. Pnyder , I o Aneeles. CaL
I have not as yet observed a material Im
provement in mercantile lines In this city
over a year ago. Throughout Southern Cali
fornia , however , better conditions prevail.
The rains last winter and spring were very
heavy , and there have been bountiful crops
of hay , barley and wheat. The pasturage
has been and Is good. All farmers expect
to realize good prices for their products this
fall. During the last seven or eight months
there has been an unprecedented amount of
mineral prospecting In Southern California.
J. E. Crlchton , Seattle , Wash.
I expect a revival of business from the fol
lowing causes : Our wheat crop Is the largest
ever harvested In this State , and prices are
very satisfactory ; large mills are being
erected to grind flour for China and Japan ,
and while the steamship service Is first-class ,
yet many more boats will have to be added
to accommodate this Immense flour and mer
cantile trade with the Orient. The Eastern
demand for our cedar shingles is something
enormous , and good prices .are being paid.
PENSION BUREAU.
Office is located in the northern end of Judiciary Square , near 'G street N. W. Built of pressed brick In the
PENSION style of architecture and is 400 feet in length , 200 in width , with walls 75 feet high. The great hall or
. court occupying the center is 310 feet long , 115 feet wide and covered with a lofty roof of glass and iron surmounted
with a dome. Two galleries , one above the other , extend'along the sides of this court , supported by Ionic and Doric col
umns. This hall is used for inauguration balls and will accommodate 1,800 people , allowing room for dancing and prome
nading. When filled to its utmost capacity it will hold 5,800.
INDIVIDUAL TESTIMONY.
Brief Pinned Ftatement on the He-
tarn of Prosperous Times.
The following signed statements from
various parts of the country show con
clusively that Republican prosperity is a
reality :
Lincoln , Neb. Nearly all lines of business
In Lincoln show an improvement over the
corresponding months In 1890. Nebraska
State Journal.
Peshtlgo , Wis. There Is an increased ac
tivity in the lumber business , both in first
and second hnnds , and the outlook for busi
ness Improvement is very good. Thomas
Barrett , Editor "Times. "
Plaquemlne , La. The Improvement in busi
ness conditions Is very marked. Sugar-plant
ers are making the most extensive and costly
Improvements of the century , and there Is
every evidence of enormous crops of cotton ,
rice and sugar. H. L. Buckler , Editor "Jour
nal. "
Albany , Mo. Thla Is an agricultural com
munity , and there Is little to report In regard
to manufactures. The conditions among the
farmers , however , are very satisfactory ; de
mand for cattle and hogs and at gQod
prices ; crops large and prices better than a
year ago. James H. Orr , Editor "Advance. "
Huntsville , Ark. This Is strictlya farming
community. Cattle are 25 per cent , better
prices than last year , sheep a little better ,
wool about 75 per cent better. One farmer
told me that he sold his wool last vear at 8
cents per pound ; this year the same class of
wool off the same sheep at 14 cents. W. H.
Ballnger , Pub. Republican.
Kenton , W. Va. There is a slow but clear
ly perceptible business Improvement here.
The Biverside Iron Works of Wheeling are at
work upon a large addition to their plant. A
new plate mill has Tjeen completed and wJIL
start up In a few days. .jQne.cf nutM' .ers 1
gt al &cAHlse 'Tte/ort a decided Increase - ]
crease In activity as compared with six i
months ago. Farmers are buying more ma- |
chlnery , and traveling men-tell me that all :
along this line their sales are picking up
vastly. E. G. Mathls , Editor "Spike. "
Elkpolnt , S. D. Conditions among agricul
turists and residents of this place are clearly
Improving. Two new creameries have just (
been organized and others are to follow. A
number of fine new farm-houses and barns
have been erected in this vicinity the present i
year , and In this place the evidences of increased - .
creased business activity are clearly visible. ,
Charles R. Bruce , Editor "Courier. "
Austin , Minn. Indications of better times '
are shown by the emp.oyes of the Milwaukee
Railway Company being put on full time In ,
the machine-shops and round-house. Farmers
are prospering In this agricultural communi
ty , and the number of new vehicles coming
to town and the general appearance of cheer
fulness show prosperity again prevalent
among them. H. O. Basford , Editor "Regis
ter. "
Muncie. Ind. The glass. Iron and steel factories
almost continuously
have been running
tories
Increased time and
since January , 1897 , with
out for
has been paid
. More money
labor wages. in the past six mouths than at any like
period in this city. There is a much better
Sg among worklngmen of all classes. The
mTmbfr of laborers on the pay-rolls of this
city is greater than at any previous time.
John T. Wlldman , Editor "Times. "
Woolen Mill employing
Lacon. Ill The Lacon ,
ploying 200 hands , is running night and day
End cannot fill Its orders. The Zinc Works
at Wenona , closed down for four years , will
resume operations at once , employing from
50 to 00 hands. Farmers are beginning to
plant other than corn and I believe this-will
help things out throughout this county. Ev
erything in the county has an upward ten
dency. W. B. Powell , Editor "Journal. "
Mlllersburg. Pa. There has been a general
and clearly visible Improvement in the busi
ness condition , both manufacturing and agri
cultural. This is clearly evidenced both by
general Inquiry among business men and es
pecially through inquiries among bankers.
This paper recently published a statement
showing amount of money at interest In this
county for 1895 , 189G and 1897 , the total for
1S97 being materially less than In 189C. Ed
itor "Post. "
Pittsburg , Kan. There Is a marked In
crease In the number of men employed here.
The smelting works , which had been Idle pri
or to last election , started up shortly after
the election of McKlnley , and gave employ
ment to about 300 men. New men are con
stantly being added to the force in the Kan
sas City , Htt8burg and Gulf Railway shops.
There has been an extension of about six
miles on the street railway here since the
election , and a new electric-lighting system
Is being put in. J. T. Moors , Editor "Head
light. "
Nelllsvllle , Wis. Evidences of restored con
fidence and reawakened business activity are
visible on every hand. More money Is being
spent this year In this city on building opera
tions than was spent during the four years of
Cleveland's administration. Large areas of
new lands are being cleared by farmers
throughout this county. Every shop and fac
tory In this city save one Is running on full
time ; banks report Increased deposits and
collections , and discounts Indicate a much
improved condition. L. B. Ring , Editor
"Times. "
Burlington , Iowa. The Chicago , Burling
ton & Qulncy shops have Increased the
amount of work , added an extension and In
creased the number of employes. There is a
good deal of work being done In extending
gas mains , electric-light lines , electric rail
ways , and In street Improvements and much
building Improvement in business blocks and
houses. In consequence , the number of la
borers and mechanics employed Is much larg
er than for several preceding years. The re
ports from our merchants and traveling men
throughout the West are favorable. J. L.
Watt , Editor "Hawkeye. "
Columbus Grove , Ohio. An Improvement
In business conditions In this community Is
very clearly visible. The J. F. Jones' Son8
Handle Factory has Increased ltB force 25
per cent In the last two weeks. The man
ager Informed me that he had more orders
than at any time In their history. The J. H.
Belford Sons' Handle Co. has also largely In
creased its force. The Buckeye Stave Com
pany has a larger number of orders than at
any time since Its organization and is putting
new men at work dally. Talks with business
men convince me that prosperity has arrived.
The farmers have fine wheat , oat , and hav
crops and the corn prospects are bright.
Prices are good and free-silver calamity
howlers will have hard lines In Ohio this fall.
Ed L. Vail , Editor "Vldette. "
Passaic , N. J. There has been a marked
improvement in the factory district of this
city. All the mills are now making full-time
and many run until 9 p. m. The Manhattan
Print Works ( satinet printers ) , after three
years of idleness , Is In full operation. The
Dundee Woolen Company , which did little erne
no work during Cleveland's Administration.
Is now employing Its full complement of
hands. The Botany Worsted Mills were slack
during 1895 and 189G , but are now enlarging
their plant The number of operators doing
steady work at this point is now , I think. 30
per.cent more than one year ago. D. W. Ma-
hony. Editor "News. "
Sterling , III. The Keystone Mfg. Co. , man
ufacturers of agricultural implements , which
usually runs very light at this time of the
year , has been compelled to Increase Its force
nstead of reducing It. It expects to employ a
larger number of men this fall than at any
time In the past three years. Other agricul
tural Implement factories report a good busi
ness. The Lawrence Bros. Mfg. concern Is
making a large addition to its building to be
occupied by an additional manufacturing es
tablishment. The Cobb & Drew Rivet and
Nail Factory have a large increase in orders.
There is an unusual activity in the building
0 . resyenFes ln town. W. D. John , Editor
" "
"Gazette.
Brunswick , Mo. The chief business enter
prises of this place are showing a marked Im
provement''TLeT Brunswick Tobacco Works
have increased Ihelftforce ln the manB&t-
0 ne - tPd Wf lngi vccjrVeel ? - '
nnicaLng JfiRf * the merchants arebuying ]
nore freely : Farmers are selling j
: orn at an advanced price , and there lsra
; eneral feeling of satl ctlon among the ag- 1
Icultural element H. F. Lincoln , Editor :
• News. " 1 i
Another dold Plot. ]
Another horrible plot of the gold powers
f England has come to light. Their sta-
istician , M. G. Mulhall , has invaded this
: ountry , and has recently written a mag-
izine article in which he shows that the
'Prairie States , " which were the sole hope
) f the silver trust in its efforts to capture
he Government last year , have been not
> nly the most prosperous part of the Unit-
id States , but far more prosperous than ;
my other spot on the world. Mr. Mill- :
lall's article , it is said , "reads like a tale
: rom the Arabian Nights. " It shows in
he twelve States upon which the silver
nanagers atlied last year Ohio , Illinois ,
[ ndiana , Missouri , Michigan , Wisconsin ,
[ owa , Minnesota , Kansas , Nebraska and
; he Dakotas an increase in farm area av
eraging 1,300 acres per day , a grain pro-
luction twice as great as that of France ,
Germany and Austria , collectively ; a
neat production twice as great as that of
France , an eight-fold increase of grain
production since 1850 , and a general food
production equal to five times as much for
2ach person as in the most advanced sec
tions of Europe. It can scarcely be ex
pected that people residing in a section so
much more prosperous than that of any
sther part of the world are going to resort
to a depreciated currency with which to
pay debts , or attempt to deceive them
selves by increasing the number of their
dollars and at the same time making an
equal decrease in their value.
Itet the Farmer Think.
The fanners of the country should give
their attention closely to a few contrasts.
The free traders made a great row over
the sugar bounty and the tin-plate duty.
Their contention was the sheer impossi
bility that we should produce our own
sugar and tin. Already every farmer in
America knows that we shall 60on pro
duce all the sugar we consume and save
a hundred millions a year for the tillers
of our soil , and that we are also deep in
the tin plate manufacturing business , and
that long before this presidential term is
out we shall produce in our shops aJ ! the
tin plate we want , and there are from
twenty to twenty-five millions a year for
American workingmen to earn and dis
tribute. Now , these are the things that
give a boom to prosperity. Contrast this
with the vulgar falsification that low sil
ver made wheat low , and. all that rotten
ness of the Democratiqibnagination.
Mexico Is Yearning for Bryan.
This will be an interesting time for Mr.
Bryan to take his proposed trip to Mex
ico. A late dispatch from the City of
Mexico says :
"Exchange on New York rose to-day on
the fresh drop in silver to 131 , and , in
some cases , 140 was asked. Bankers were
in doubt as to what rate to make , in view
of the condition of the silver market. Ex
change on London went to 214 pence ,
the lowest on record , and implying for this
Government In meeting the interest on its
sterling debt a loss at the rate of two
million dollars per annum. The Govern-
ment can meet this loss by economies and
using the surplus fund , but bankers here
say the time has come when something
must be done. A very anxious sentiment
prevails , as the people have come to ex
pect a still further decline in the value of
silver , and many predict that it will be
forced to a point where the dollar will be
worth only 30 cents in gold. Importations
will be generally reduced and interests of
business affected generally. The Mexican
Government and the country are con
fronting a serious situation , the worst for
many years. "
Civil Service Jleform.
In issuing an order to the effect that
no removal from any position subject to
competitive examination within the classi
fied civil service shall be made except for
just cause and upon written charges filed
with the head of the department or other
appointing officer , of which charge the
accused must have full notice with an op
portunity to make defense , President Mc
kinley has corrected the very evil which
has heretofore tended to make hypocfit
ical the entire civil service system. The
previous absence or virtual neglect of
such a rule has so facilitated evasions of
the spirit of civil service reform as to
bring the whole thing into more or less
contempt A strict enforcement of the
new order will not only lift from the
shoulders of Federal officials in respr
ble positions a 'y\ad of nresst alojtf as Ta
uetermniibg factor ' in the equation of tl
ublic service , and insure that public
loney paid in the form of salaries to emp
loyes in that Service shall go to compen-
ate actual and efficient work. The Amer-
ian people are ready to subscribe most
leartily to genuine civil service reform.
Good Times on the Way. h
The miserable business in which the c
( artisan organs of the free silver movee
aent are engaged when they try to fill I1
he ears of the people with complaint and n
[ iscontent , and pick up only to magnify T
in order to f
very adverse trade symptom
liscourage the return of prosperity for 8
tolitical purposes , is annoying , but it is
neffectual. It causes decent men to be J
ndignant , but it is powerless to stay the *
incoming tide. Prosperity has set in , and *
here are solid figures as well as hopes to J
trove it ?
Prices Go Up in Mexico. j
Consul General Joseph G. Dudley , stay
ioned at Nuevo Laredo , in a communi- j
: ation to the Department of State says i
hat as a result of the recent fall in the j
irice of silver there has been a marked j
• ise in the price of all commodities in j
Mexico. This is true of domestic pro-
lucts. Rents are included in the rise 1
) f prices. He says there has been no l
: orresponding advance of wages or sal1 1
iries. Labor , he states , stays on its silver ,
sasis. i
Political Pointers. *
The gold Democrats are making large
lecessions to their ranks everywhere , and
jxpect to poll a much larger vote this ( j
rear than last. j
The Populists of the country are thoroughly - ,
oughly disgusted with the treatment ,
which the Democracy have given them , ,
and are developing the greatest hostility ,
to further attempts at fusion. ,
The director of the United States mint , 1
who is the best authority in this country <
Dn currency matters , predicts that silver ;
will fall much lower in the next few <
months. It is already at the lowest point 1
history. 1
in its entire
The money in circulation in the United '
States has increased about ? 130,000,000 ]
in the past year , the price of foreign products - '
ducts has advanced , and the business of
the country has greatly improved despite ;
the assertions that nothing but lhe free ;
coinage of silver would bring an increase ;
the people of this '
of money or prices to
country.
The people who attempted to make the :
people believe a few months ago that Sec
retary Sherman had passed the period of
active usefulness are saying nothing more
on that subject Secretary Sherman's
expressions of views on current political
topics are clear , crisp and vigorous , and
strike a responsive chord in the hearts of
every American citizen.
People who are assuming that the re
cent great gold developments are a mere
matter of good luck to those opposing the
16 to 1 theory are mistaken. It is more
than luck ; it is the logic of events. The
fact that the world prefers gold to the
bulky white metal as its medium of ex
change has stimulated the production of
gold everywhere until it seems likely to
supply the needs of the world for a money
metal.
Y
i
FARMEES ABFgEaE i
1
PRICES FOR THEIR PRODUCTS
THE BEST IN YEARS.
Lnrce Transaction * in Btaplciwith
Prices Favorable-More Wheat Kx- !
ported Ju One Week than Any Sim
ilar Period tlnce the Year 1803.
v
Prosperity for Acriculturlnla. * ;
A recent Iiradstrcet's report says :
"Special telegrams from trade centers ' '
throughout ( he country emphasize the |
growing prosperity of the farmer , due to j
higher prices for almost all agricultural ; i
produce still in his hands and point to a j
continuation of the demand , which has j
been conspicuous within the past few |
weeks. The volume of trade continues to j
increase , nud prices are hardening. No
such volume of business , largely in anti
cipation of requirements , has been report
ed since 1802. Larger transactions have
been in dry goods , clothing and .shoes , and
South and West in wagons and farm im
plements.
"Another very favorable bank clearings
report is found in the total , $1,1-10,000.000 *
this week , which , while it is 1 per cent "j
less than last week , is10 per cent larger = s
than in the third week of August , lbl(5 ) ( ; J
20 per cent heavier than in lfel ) . * ; 40 per |
cent larger than in 1S94 , and fully 53 per * ,
cent larger than in the like week of 1SD3 , |
when clearings , totals were reduced to \
very low figures. Compared with the like !
period in 1892 , a year of large volume of
business , this week's totals show a gain j
of 13 per cent. Among 80 of the cities reporting - '
porting larger bank clearings , only 17 >
show decreases this week compared with
the corresponding period last year. Bunk
clearings at other cities than New York i
are 17 per cent larger this week than in
the like week a year ago. but at New
York the increase is 50 i > er cent.
"Prices for staples continue the favora
ble movement of the past few weeks , with
advances for wheat Hour , wheat , new
pork , butter , eggs , cheese , com and oats.
Hide3 are also firmer and higher. Ging
hams have advanced V-jC , while the cotton 4
mills are starting up. mid jobbers in
woolen goods are getting higher prices
for spring delivery. There have been a
large number of resumptions among iron -3
and steel concerns this week ; Bessemer \
pig is 2o cents higher , and the outlook is 'i
for improvement. Sugar , cotton , print I
cloths , wool and petroleum are firm and \
unchanged , while coffee , almost alone 1
among the staples , is lower than last <
week. \
"Exports of wheat ( flour included as
wheat ) from both coasts of the United
States and Montreal this week are the
largest in any week since September ,
1S93 , amounting to 5,218,000 bushels this
week , as compared with 4,400,000 bushels
last week , 2,091,000 bushels in the week
si year ago , 2,3S9,000 bushels two years i
ago , 3,182,000 bushels three years ago , 1
und as contrasted with 4,900,000 bushels j
in the corresponding week of 1S93. Exports - I
ports of Indian corn this week are also 'j
jxceptionally heavy , the largest since the
: hird week in April this year , amounting
: o 3,929,035 bushels , as compared with
1,275,000 bushels last week , 2,769,000 \
jushels in the week a year ago , 1,195,000
mshels two years ago , 105,000 bushels
hree years ago , and as contrasted with'
(83,000/Hnshels-m ( tbp like * * 456 % & the ' * ' < J § '
l n
ftranu aayontrastenv ; Jf
ird week ot August , 1S93 ; "
CONFIDENCE IN THE FOTUHE.
Is Strong and Increaalntr , and
Nothing Appears to Chock It.
R. G. Dun & Co. , in their weekly re-
ew of trade say : Not for several years t
ive the telegraphic reports from various
ties in all parts of the country been as
icouraging or shown as uniform iin-
• ovement as this week. The markets
• e called crazy by some , but fairly rep-
isent the people whose confidence in the
lture is strong and increasing. Nothing
ppears to check it. Humors of injury to
: ops are not sufficiently supported to
ave much influence. The one temporary
indrance is the strike of bituminous coal
liners , which interferes as yet little with
tdustries , and seems likely to terminate
ithin a week. The demand for money
nproves , taking from New York to the
iterior about half a million more than
as received during the week , and offer-
igs of commercial loans are much larger ,
( eluding considerable iron and steel pa-
er , and the course of foreign exchange is
snerally interpreted as an indication that
iccie imports cannot be long delayed.
The greatest gain has been for agricul-
lre. Corn has advanced a little m price ,
ut is moving very largely , so that the
ist year's surplus may soon be marketed ,
nless the new crop turns out better than
lany now expect. Cotton declined an
ighth because of an estimate promising
le largest crop ever grown , but the goods
larket is decidedly improving , and some
C the large mills , after a few weeks of
aspension , have resumed work. Other
irm products are doing well also , but
heat has advanced about llc for the
transactions with heavy
• eek on actual ,
urchases for export. The official esti-
late of yield is entirely disregarded , ex-
ept as an admission that the crop wi ?
e larger than that of last year , and it is
ommonly assumed that the yield will be
50,000,000 bushels or more , though re-
ent reports of injury indicating the possi-
ility of a somewhat smaller outcome
ave helped the advance in prices. West-
rn receipts for the week were 3,844,534
ushels , against 3,974,775 last year , and
or three weeks 11,340,207 bushels ,
gainst 10C97,137 bushels last year , while
Atlantic exports are about double last
ear's 3,705,287 bushels , against 1S08 , -
47 bushels last year , and for three weeks
, S19,31S bushels , against 5,102,001 bush-
Is last year , flour included for both years ,
t is well to notice that corn exports con-
inue more than double last year's also , in
nree weeks 8,516,544 bushels , against 4 , -
19,241 last year.
The iron and steel industry is pushing
orward in spite of the still unsettled
trike of bituminous coal miners , and the
normous purchases of ore at Cleveland ,
nd also of billets at Pittsburg , show the
itmost confidence in the future. Many
.dditional establishments have begun
vork during the past week , and while no
naterial change in prices has occurred ,
he reportB indicate fewer concessions to
ecure business and a much steadier tone ,
die demand for finished products has de- ;
: idedly improved , especially in plates , 1
iheets and bars , and in railway supplies ,
mrticularly in car axles. The sales of (
> re at Cleveland have amounted ha two 3
veeks to 400,000 or 500,000 tons , . _
