Third—Under the now accepted doctrine announced by Rev. Charles H. Parkhurst of New York City, the field is still farther enlarged and bids fair to become unlimited. The exact bearing of this increase in the population upon business chances lies in the increased consumption, greater demand and advanced civilization—that is a greater variety of objects are necessary to comfort or pleasure. This makes more customers, and all things being equal, perhaps they should be a trifle better, it is quite on the cards to believe that the Colored American will get his increased share of the trade of his fellow Colored Americans. If he does not, then he is probably in fault through inferior goods, poor service and lack of prompt delivery. The business is in his hands at any rate and the opportunity is at his call. The first proposition is to the effect that business chances are now at high tide, where a few years ago there were no chances of any sort. We are speaking of the subject of business chances exclusively, but may venture to add such employments as miners, masons, dress makers, pavers, iron and steel workers, stationary engineers, engine stokers, etc. In these latter occupations there are more than one hundred thousand Colored Americans employed, a gain of over 85 per cent in ten years, or rather since 1890. The other trades have fallen off somewhat owing to the introduction of machinery. To limit this question to commercial pursuits, it may be well to state that economic progress has reached a high water mark among Colored Americans. There are one hundred twenty-five and more Colored business men’s local Leagues in about every State in the Union, with eleven State Colored men’s business leagues in the Southern States. These leagues are composed of bankers, merchants, and dealers generally in goods, wares and merchandise—dry goods and groceries, hardware, etc., and are all at the top notch. THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES It is evident from the signs of the times, the business situation, our interstate commerce laws, and the domination of the trusts and combines by the Federal government, that there will soon come a great change in our business methods, and practices. We are expecting that competition will be restored to the place it occupied before men were forced out of business by overpowering interests and vast aggregations of capital. It will certainly happen in the near future that any man will be able to open a modest store, or engage in a quiet and reasonable business without being driven into bankruptcy and poverty.