Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 71, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 May 1908 — OUR PROSPERITY. [ARTICLE]

OUR PROSPERITY.

That our one-time prosperity--un-precedented in history—is being restored to normal conditions is evidenced on every’* hand. In the first place the products of the farm, whose prices took a slump during the recent financial panic, are back to the old time high mark. In fact the prices of most farm products are higher now than a yehr ago. This is the case with wheat, corn, cattle and sheep. But all in all the farmers are "still in clover" and know a good thing when they see IL There is no dissatisfaction among them, and thefarmer vote will go to the Republican party. The movement of freight is another indication of the revival of business. The railroads centering at Indianapolis show as great if not greater tonPage for April, 1908, as for the same month in 1907. The number of cars moved is not so large as last year, but t,he capacity of the cars is much greater this year than last. The capacity of many cars is from 70,000 to 80,000 pounds, as against, 40,000 to 50,000 pounds in the old cars. Railroads are beginning extensions and betterments, stopped temporarily last fall. The Pennsylvania Railroad company has negotiated $40,000,000 of bonds, the money frofn whiCh will be used for improvements on the great system. . The general financial condition of the country is becoming brighter and more hopeful every day. Money fa coming out of its hiding placed And seeking investment. There, is a good surplus ip nearly. All the banks of the country and legitimate business has no trouble in securing funds to meet all requirements. Henry Clews, the financial writer and J authority, ;bf JSew York, says: "The most significant event of the week was the successful underwriting of the $40,000,000 Pennsylvania 4 per cent bonds. This Is a very gratifying indication of revival of confidence, as well hs positive proof of Improvement in monetary conditions. Another pleasing feature connected with this transaction is that practically one-half of the issue is to be placed abroad; a vbry practical demonstration that thOre’is a reviving foreign market for American investments of unquestionable security, especially when they are .packed management of good repu.tatipm There ,1s solid encouragement {n th,e fact that prominent foreign tankers are ofice more willing to finance odr best American railroad prijf/brtfes."

The panic of Wall street stock-job-ers nev?r did affect the general busipqssof the country to any considerable extent. With confidence in our great resources and in otir public institutions fully testbred, we will go on in the march for the world's supremacy.