Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 January 1877 — A Sinister Result of the Centennial. [ARTICLE]

A Sinister Result of the Centennial.

While it is much more agreeable to believe that our Centennial Exposition has been attended with none but beneficial results, the fact esnnot be ignored that one unfortunate consequence is just now strongly obtruding itself. To the unsettled state of politics is undoubtedly owing the check which all have remarked in the rapid recovery of business from the stagnation of the past three years; but to that cause alone cannot be laid the unusual financial stringency which prevails at the present lime, most especially in agricultural districts. Reports from many sections of the country state that failures to meet obljgalions, among the farmers, were never so frequent; while business with usually thrifty class ot the population has rarely been more dull. It looks very much as if the people, possibly relying on the favorable indecalions (which appeared* during the summer) of a brisk fall and winter trade, had invested their saving in Centennial excursions, ajid now find themselves compelled to retrench, or, in many cases, driven to the worse result of failing in their payments. There is one consolation iu the fact that the money has not gone out oi the country; and although the movement may remain sluggish till the new administration is settled upon, a general revival of business will undoubtedly come in the spring.— Scientific American.