THE SOURCE OF PROSPERITY. 229 



years ago, but with their condition as described by 

 the Hon. Daniel Needham, in the first portion of this 

 chapter. Nine years ago all our business interests 

 were in the midst of the distress that had then been 

 raging like a storm for full eight years, and had strewn 

 our country with the wrecks of 25,405 trading houses, 

 beside the multitude of those engaged in other occu- 

 pations of whom no record can be obtained, all of 

 which had thrown great numbers out of employment 

 and largely reduced wages and incomes. But the con- 

 dition described by Mr. Needham was the condition 

 that existed in 1863, 1864, and 1865, when all the 

 people were in active employment and reaping the 

 sure rewards of their industry before the storm of 

 speculation and disaster that immediately followed 

 the war had burst upon us. Why 1873-4 are chosen 

 as the years to compare with 1878-9 can not be un- 

 derstood, unless it is to show that our state is still 

 tending from bad to worse. 



Then question 9. c. is a most extraordinary one. 

 What are " extras," or " luxuries ? " Are they car- 

 pets, fine furniture, fine ware, pianos, organs, orna- 

 ments, etc. ? The production of all these things is a 

 part, and a valuable part, of the industries of our 

 country, that should be fostered and sustained. But 

 if their use and consumption by the people are de- 

 stroyed, how can these industries be supported ? Are 

 they to be deemed, in their use, as exclusively the 

 right of millionaires and plutocrats ? All these " ex- 

 tras " and " luxuries " are supposed to have an elevat- 

 ing and refining influence. Shall not the workingman 

 and his family be surrounded by these influences ? 



