Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
lines. This State will go for Bryan by one
hundred thousand majority. The people
here believe our country can restore silver
to its former place as a money of redemp-
tion, and they believe that free and un-
limited coinage will create a demand for
the silver bullion at the coinage price and
raise the commercial value, so there will be
no fifty-three cent dollars, but that all dol-
lars in all the markets of the world will be
at par, as they were in 1872.
Our people do not believe we can as a
country maintain a gold standard and have
" sound money" by the use of six hundred
and twelve million dollars of gold basic
money to redeem four hundred and seventy-
five million dollars of paper money and
six hundred and ten million dollars of sil-
ver money, and at the same time circulate
gold.
It is the honest belief that this policy is
erroneous and not in harmony with sound
finance. They think that if we had
silver and gold as money—real redemp-
tion money—we could safely float four
hundred and seventy-five million dollars of
paper money.
They believe money is the measure of
value, and the low prices for farm products
are due to the existing gold standard.
As to the outcome—the vote this fall will
decide.
Restoration of confidence means the return of
prosperity.
J. E. VERNONS' SONS, Salina, Kas.—Music
dealers in this section can only make sales
by putting forth the greatest efforts. It is
even more difficult to make sales now than
some time ago, as all purchases are put off
until after election.
We do not expect a steady trade, and in-
deed would be glad to have even a fitful
trade. Do not know what to expect after
the election. However, we think if Mc-
Kinley should be elected, although we may
not get a substantial legislation for two or
three years, that confidence will be restored
and we shall have a gradual return to a
prosperous condition. There was a time
when free silver adherents were overwhelm-
ingly in the majority here, but we think
that the sound money platform is gaining
rapidly, and with more time for a thorough
campaign and with the theory of protection
plainly shown to the people, there can be
no doubt of the issue here.
Yes, there have been more delinquents
on piano paper than ever before; in fact it
has been growing worse for the last three
years, until at present a dealer would not
be able to collect ten per cent, of outstand-
ing money unless by using security he may
hold, or threats of same. We are not pre-
pared to say what the results might be if
the silver party should go into office this
fall, but are inclined to think that things
would gradually adjust themselves, and
those that have already weathered the storm
of the last two or three years would be able
to tide over any depression that it might
cause.
The condition of the country—the pro-
ducing classes in Kansas having a larger
surplus than for years, the merchants and
^business men in general having devoted
*their time to cutting down stock, curtailing
; expenses and paying their debts—is such
f 1 that with the rise of prices for the farmer's
products, would result in an immediate re-
' turn of prosperity.
We are trusting, as we have been for the
: last two years, that the change may come,
> and that we may receive legislation that
will at once restore the confidence of the
people and thus inaiigurate the good times
which the people are so well equipped to
take advantage of.
Prospects good for business before and after
election.
STEWARD MUSIC HOUSE, Butte, Mon-
tana.—Prospects for trade during Septem-
ber and October are very good.
Election makes very little difference
with us here.
Expect business will keep up; if any-
thing, will be better. Infinitely better if
Bryan is elected.
Ninety-nine one hundredths of the peo-
ple here are for free silver.
No, there have not been more delin-
quents this year than formerly.
Butte does not depend on its silver
mines for its prosperity. In this district
the mineral output was about twenty-eight
millions of dollars last year; of this amount
over twenty-one million dollars was in cop-
per. Pay-roll of the mines is about $650,-
000 per month. Population of Butte is
45,000 and steadily increasing. There is
no boom here. The election of Bryan and
the adoption of free coinage of silver by
our government would add very materi-
ally to the prosperity of this place.
Favorable reports from Oregon.
CARL ADLER, Baker City, Or.—The pros-
pects for trade in our line of business dur-
ing this month and the next is good, and
also a steady trade after the presidential
election.; After the election the world will
move on just the same as if nothing had
happened.
In our section of the country, our mines
being mostly gold-producing, McKinley
has the most adherents. Everything will
move along regardless of opinions, such as
"Keep off the Grass," etc. But my own
opinion is that U. S. is all right.
After ricKinley's election look for an era of
prosperity.
M. H. ANDREWS, Bangor, Me.—Have
just returned from a fishing trip to Moose-
head Lake, where I went to escape my
creditors, and to live on a fish diet, think-
ing it economy, but I believe each trout
cost me $10.00. Fortunately I didn't
catch many. I mention the above to ex-
plain my seeming neglect in answering
the questions you propound.
In my opinion, the prospects for a good
trade this fall are not nattering. How-
ever, I don't think they are so bad as
many croakers would have us believe.
The unsettled condition of politics has
much to do with our trials, but we have
reason to believe that the free silver sen-
timent is on the wane in this State, at
least; ere this writing you will have heard
from Maine, and realize we have "seen
Vermont" and gone a few better. After
McKinley's election we look for an era of
prosperity, meantime business will be dull
and collections slow.
I am not a politician and am not capable
of discussing the problems presented, but
I go in for sound money and protection,
and as you will notice, "there are others"
in Maine.
The basis of all lasting prosperity.
BARRETT BROS., Binghamton, N. Y. :—
Trade is quiet and we do not look for any
change for the better until after election.
The tendency on the part of those who
buy on installments seems to be to pur-
chase more than they can pay for, hence col-
lections are very slow and unsatisfactory.
We have purchased a block and are fitting
up one of the finest music stores between
New York and Chicago, and when busi-
ness conditions change, as we believe they
will after McKinlev is elected, we shall be
prepared to do our share. We believe that
any voter who cannot see that sound mon-
ey, a protective tariff, and the maintenance
of our personal and national credit are the
basis of all lasting prosperity in this coun-
try should go fishing on election day, and
not disgrace the ballot by casting it for a
fool policy, a hundred per cent, worse
than that inaugurated in 1892.
The Nebra&ka fiz has but few adherents
in this locality, for business men, regard-
less of party, are fully convinced that the
people of this-country will not accept fifty
or seventy-five cent dollars in doing
business. Our moneyed system is the best
in the world. Let well enough alone.
Cast his vote for the safety of posterity.
S. W. KNEPPER & Co., Carthage, Mo.—
Collections have been poor since March,
1896. We had six men on the road during
the first six months ending June 30, 1896.
We have taken five of them off because
they could not pay expenses. We will
keep one man on the road who will devote
his entire time to collections.
We think trade will be very light until
after the election. It will be better after
the election; it could not be worse.
The free silver sentiment is largely in
the ascendency, and seems to be growing.
For immediate relief it would be better to
elect McKinley.
For permanent relief
and the safety of posterity it would be bet-
ter to elect Bryan and Sewall. Individual-
ly, it would be better for me to vote for
McKinley. However, I shall cast my vote
for my children. The attempted scare,
nicely veiled in specious phrases, will have
no effect whatever in the West.
Favor of sound money, self-government and
protection.
A. HOSPE, JR., Omaha, Neb.—The pros-
pects for trade during September and Octo-
ber are not over good. I expect a fitful
trade until after election. If it is McKin-
ley, trade will undoubtedly be good. There
seems to be an even division of sentiment
regarding the gold and silver standards.
There has been about twenty per cent,
more increase on piano installment paper
this summer than for several years previous.
Regarding the great political contest,
there can be but one opinion, and that is
in favor of sound money, safe government
and protection. My opinion is that it is to
be deplored that the issue is being fought
on that which has no relation to our present
depression, not the circulating medium, but
how to circulate it. Higher wages, more
work, will be brought about by protecting
this, our most valuable circulator—
Labor.
If McKinley is elected confidence will be res-
tored.
GEO. W. WILDER, Montpelier, Vt.—At
present we have not a very brilliant pros-
pect for fall trade. Vermont is an agri-
cultural State, and trade outside our little
city comes mostly from farmers who are
suffering very much from the effects of the
Democratic tariff law. Trade has been dull
ever since the panic and payments on in-
stallment paper have been slow, and at
present it is very difficult to make collec-
tions. Free silver nor free trade will never
get any foothold in our State. We believe
in a protective tariff, reciprocity and gold
standard. We believe that if McKinley is
elected confidence will be restored, but
that we will not have the good times of
four years ago until we have a Republican
President and Senate to put things in order,
which of course it will take some time to do.