The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-23
Dry Goods Trade.

The prevailing fine weather for the season has
tinued to exercise favorable influence OH the dry
goods trade for this period of the year. Should it
not change materially for the worse, we expect to
see gradual augmentation in the trade until the
spring business commences next month Few new
houses hive been formed with the commencement of
the year. and several houses that suspended last
tumn are engaged in arranging their affairs with the
view of winding up, or of recommending business
after making satisfactory arrangements with their
creditors. Houses which have gone through the
crisis with safety will exercise more caution
and discrimination in the selection of their
customers, and will be less disposed to
seek new loans or aid, with the view of
expanding their business while houses which have
been seriously crippled or embarrassed viii not
have it in their power to gain new credits to any
large amount, to expand their business if inclined
to do The auction sales, it is expected will be
large this spring There seems to be disposition
in some to prefer the guarantees of auction
in preference to making paper for goods in the
usual way, and especially so far as dry goods are
concerned. The sales by auction houses have been
larger than usual the present month, and have in
the main been pretty well attended, though the
prices realized have been irregular. The export of
cotton piece goods has been to a fair extent. The
principal shipments, however have been made from
Boston. A larger share of sales than usual of do.
nestle goods have been made for cash or on short
credits. We quote light brown sheetings at &c,
heavy do. at &c, and light shirtings at 54c.
Standard bleached goods have been sold as high as
l0sc. cash for So inches in width. We quote drills
at Slc. for brown for beached, and blue at l0lc.
a l04c. We have no movement of moment to notice
in other cotton goods while prices more or less
nominal. Prints have appeared in jobbing houses in
larger quantities. but they have not yet been opened,
and especially the new styles for the spring trade
We quote standard makes at 94c. l09c. Ginghams
were quiet and varied from lOc a llc., according to
makes. Muslin de LANES were selling in moderate
way at about lSc. New styles as yet have been in
light receipt. The transactions in cloths and cassi-
meres have been limited TO the trade, and ut rather
irregular prices. Satinets were dull and the stocks
in excess of demand.
In foreign goods we have no change of impor-
lance TO record. The sales making ut unset
tied and irregular prices A majority of importers
in favor of restricting the long term of credit
hitherto allowed, and propose to adhere to four
months the limit of indulgence with disposition
TO make fair reductions where short credits nj
lowed OF purchases made for cash. If the long and
runous credit system of the dry goods trade is
checked the movement must commence with I'M
porters. If they general rule, tie down jobbers
to four months the latter cannot give six and eight
months credit to their country customers. Some Of
the importers object to be bound by general rules
the subject. Indeed, unless the avctioneers who sell
foreign goods also be induced, in all
cases, to reduce their credits from six to four
months il will be difficult TO accomplish the desired
reforms because jobbers instead of buying from inn
porters at months, would in many cases, probably,
give the auction houses the preference, because
they would be enabled to obtain six months credit in
place of four With the present supplies Of foreign
goods in this market there will be little disposition
with American houses 10 send out new orders 10 any
arge amount unless a decided revival takes place
early in the sprlg the movement of produce, and
present stocks become reduced.