Prosperity Amid Poverty
By T.
The reports that the government has given out in regard to the business of this country during the fiscal year that closed June 30, show that the United States exported $530,366,037 worth of goods more than she imported. This fact is taken up by the papers, and a great deal is being made of it as showing great prosperity here. But suppose the balance of trade during the past year has been in this country's favor to the extent of more than half a billion dollars. That does not destroy the fact that the great mass of the people are but little better off in consequence of it. To show that a certain volume of business has passed through the banks, and that the monopolies have exported large quantities of produce and manufactured articles, does not help the actual situation with the farmer, the mechanic, and the general laborer. For, notwithstanding these figures, there is, all over the land, an increasing amount of want and distress occasioned by poverty. There is indeed prosperity for the large combine, but the so-called middle and lower classes are being rapidly driven to the wall. Our eyes should not be turned away from facts by an ingenious presentation of figures. T.