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Newspaper
Wooster Republican
Location
Wooster, Ohio, United States of America
Date
Oct 20, 1897
Page
4
The Kansas economy shows rising prosperity across all classes amid strong wheat yields. Farmers, traders, and merchants report improved finances, with many mortgage payoffs and lower interest rates enabling debt reduction. A Kansas City Journal analysis links gains to broader national factors and tariff policy, noting 40,000 homesteads clearing mortgages this fall and a $40,000,000 payoff tally.
The San Francisco Chronicle notes advocates of the wheat crop as the driver of business revival, while reporting Dun and Bradstreet figures show farmers hold wheat for higher foreign demand. Trade shows rising union employment, higher pig iron output, wheat price gains, broad commodity price increases, and fewer business failures, with tariff emphasis throughout.
Detroit Free Press argues against doom sayers predicting global distress. It emphasizes US wealth with abundant harvests and rising grain prices benefiting American farmers while famine harms the Far East and Ireland. The piece cites supply and demand as drivers of renewed national prosperity.
Kansas Bank Commissioner J W Breidenthal, once a Bryanite, now touts a bright state economy. He cites high crop yields, rising prices, and abundant cattle as evidence Kansas is financially strong. He asserts farmers have always produced enough to live on and that this year brings immense gains for the state.
In the Cleveland Leader the author dismisses silverite critics who blame price rises on famine abroad. The piece argues local inflation cannot be explained by European harvests alone and asks why leather hides, iron, wool, butter, cheese, cotton, and lamb prices rise independently. It defends the view that domestic demand and supply dynamics drive prices beyond tariffed or famine-driven causes.
In a charged critique the writer attacks a guttering debate on cotton and wheat markets, arguing there has been no foreign cotton shortage while noting U S cotton exports bring in about 839 million on 300 million. The piece cites Hes ter of the New Orleans Cotton Exchange and compares pre and post panic crop values. Aimed at economic policy and moral judgments amid global shortages.
Southern mining and manufacturing enterprises showed promise as the season ended on the first of the month. Reports from reliable sources indicate prosperity in these sectors, aided by proximity to raw materials and favorable climate. Cotton manufacturing especially grew, with consumption in the South exceeding one million bales for the first time.
The piece notes Democratic taunts about Republican policies, a new tariff, and an imminent boom. It attributes rising prices to wheat and rye shortages abroad and argues that overall property prices have climbed alongside agricultural costs, signaling a broad upswing in the economy.
Governor Tanner told the St Louis Globe Democrat that wheat gains paralleled rises in railroad and manufacturing stocks and farm goods. He cited a three month wealth increase of about 1.3 billion dollars, noting bonds and mortgages also rose as confidence grew under pro inflation policies. He praised a policy he said revived public confidence and prosperity.
The article notes a 12 percent anticipated rise in pig iron output within a month after a new tariff. It traces production trends from 11,000 tons weekly to a 40 percent gain since last October, then dip and rebound after tariff passage, with Sept output setting a record outside 1895 peak years.
A Minneapolis Tribune note argues that overall revival in business is evident nationwide though some see no personal gains. Banks loan more freely, merchants optimistic, and employment improving as crop distributions and weekly bank clearings rise. Minneapolis shows 43.2 percent gain, signaling broader impact to come.
The piece argues a tariff drives rising prices beyond wheat, citing corn oats rye pork butter cheese hops hides potatoes and lambs and noting sheep wool values rose since the tariff passage. It contends Department of Agriculture data show many export crops climbing in price and a Dingley bill era surge in employment.
Don's jubilant review argues no halting in the advance as business revival continues with rising production and a growing labor force. It notes increased purchasing power and a broad rise in prices with over one hundred staples higher, while demand for manufactured goods remains strong. Farmers recover value from sheep losses under free trade.
Narrative accuses William Jennings Bryan of soliciting and accepting railroad passes from Southern Pacific and others. It cites a World-Herald connection, questions legality and ethics, and alleges Bryan used deception to justify free rides while denouncing railroads.
At Atchison Mr Brain cites quotes accusing Bryan of contradicting his earlier assertions on dollar value tied to government declarations and supply and demand. The Kansas City Journal notes Bryan arguing money supply effects prices while history shows dollar growth since 1873, with per capita circulation rising from 18.04 to 24.30.
The New Orleans Picayune criticizes Social Democracy as utterly un-American and obsessed with wealth, arguing its members despise anyone wealthier and would harm opponents who possess more. It contends wealth defines class, defends democracy, and urges restraint on penalties against excess.
The Illinois Federation of Labor endorses free coinage at 16 to 1 for silver but offers little on how labor benefits. It warns that a mono metallic 3714 grain dollar would wipe about 60 percent from $80 million invested in building and loan associations and cut labor’s $2.544 billion gold-backed loans by large margins, threateningWorking people hold major gold-backed loans and public funds.
The Chicago Tribune notes that if the currency were freed from silver coinage at a 16 40 1 ratio, deposits would suffer losses of about 15.25 million. Critics warn that such a shift would hurt building and loan investments and trigger rapid price increases while wages lag in adjustment, reducing real purchasing power.
The piece discusses theMint Director Preston delaying a statement on world coin values while travelers visit Japan studying silver demonetization. It questions free coinage and presents a decade of silver and gold values, noting figures and dates amid criticism of policy and timing.
Reports from Rhode Island note cheer as Woonsocket worsted mills restore wages to prewar levels and new plants begin operation. Lansdale company launches first time operation with 340 workers, while a idle plant near Blackstone will be purchased and started. Growth tied to Dingley tariff law.
A dense discussion cites wheat and silver values, farm mortgages, and gold versus free coinage. It notes Kansas mortgage payoffs, Australian wheat payments, British money flows, and political figures like Bryan and Watson. The piece questions tariffs, exports, and Democratic party prospects amid shifting economics and coinage debates.
Washington correspondent reports Secretary Wilson argues the U S should not import sugar and should expand beet sugar production. He praises beets and camphor as diversifying crops, boosting farmers’ profits, reducing imports, and strengthening the South’s economy through new industries and local processing. The interview highlights beet sugar potential, refinery viability, and the need for further regional trials and reports.
Postmaster General Gary supports postal savings banks after studying the subject and will promote the idea during his tenure. He has not yet laid out a plan but intends to present a report to the President at the opening of the next Congress session.
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