Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-02-08
CHICAGO CORRESPONDENCE.

The snow Storm-Thc Wheat Market
Pork Packfng-Bus1ness Failures
Trade-Busfness PrOspeCts-Religfou
Entcrprise-The Advanee-Lectures-
q Concerts Latest Novelty - Amuse-
ments. -7
CHICAGO, Jan. 81, 1871.--The late snow
storm the most severe that has occurred here
for years-has proved serious InterruPtlcu
to business. The delays of freight trains
much more protracted than the stoppage OF
passenger trains-haye been quite emparra ss-
ing to the public But mild weather, the opeie-
ing of the usual thoroughfares, and the re-
sumption of travel and trade have restored |
our wonted activity, and Chicago looks like
herself again. at this season, save that there
is an unusual quantity of snow and slush. The
freezing sleet did some damage to the trees,
and farther south was quite destructive. Ihe
storm extended over larger region of coun-
try than usual, and the amount of snowfall
was almost unprecedented
THE WHEAT MARKET
Has been quite active the past week, No.
selling for 81 2216-an advance of about ~
cents in month. The receipts are small,
but next week will probably show large in
crease.
PORK PACKING
Has been very active through the season up
to the time of the January thaw, when it al
most entirely ceased But it is being re
srmed again, with large supply of live hogs.
Thus far there has been large increase on
last season in the number of hogs packed, and
about twelve per cent. increase In weight.
But prices have ruled much lower than last
year.
BUSINESS FAILURES.
The number of failures here has been larger
than was anticipated six weeks ago. But they
have been chiefly of that class of houses that
have been weak or embarrassed, for some time,
though their condition was not known to the
oft hon I1np
but few were general surprise. One cause
of failures-aside from the stringency of the
money market and the partial failure OF crops
the past seasons the exorbitant prices OF
rents, in some cases absorbing all the prohts
and part of the capital of the merchants. we
shall get down to hard pan and ante-war prices,
by and by, and have fewer fluctuations in the
prices of everything. But not until we have
return to specie payments.
TRADE.
The volume of trade, despite the complaints
of hard times has been greater than ever be-
fore, but business men represent that their
sales have been made at small profits, one
house assuring me that on sales of $500, 600,
since July, they had not made q cent. This,
however may be an exceptional case. But
the general margin of profits has undoubtedly
been quite low, though the larger houses have
done a very satisfactory trade.
/ III BUSINESS PROSPECTS. 4Hl
There have been large preparations for an
increased trade the coming season, many new
and capacious stores having been erected for
that purpose the past year, or will be complet-
ed in season for the spring trade. There is
marvellous energy and elasticityin the Chicago
business man. He may be disappointed In
this direction, or in that. But hope springs
eternal in his breast and if he fails in one en-
terprise he tries another, and another till he
succeeds well known firm here, not worth
a dollar in 1865, though doing large bust
ness, are now worth million and quarter.
II, RELIGIOUS ENTERPRISE. 20
The energy manifested by Chicago, in bust
ness pursuits, is equalled by her activity in
religious enterprises. In this respect, she
obeys the command, Il Whatsoever thy hand
| findeth to do, do it with thy might" Not
only are large sums raised to build churches,
endow religious seminaries, sustain Christian
associations and support public charities, but
her religious newspapers are conducted in the
same liberal and enterprising spirit, and no
material or intellectual resources are spared to
make them represent the genius, and supply
the mental, moral and spiritual wants, of the
great Northwest. They are more truly nation
al organs of religious sentiment than any pub
| lished at the East, are managed with equal,
| if not superior, ability, In a broader and more
catholic spirit, and better comprehend the
spiritual needs of the West than Eastern
| journals can.
PROMINENT among this class of religious
newspapers, is
THE ADVANCE,
published by the Advance Company, at $2.50 a
year. Its editorials are able, dealing frankly
| with the live questions of the day, and are
supplemented by articles from a large corps of
| the best thinkers and writer's of the time. Its
commercial department is reliable, its miscel-
| lany and family reading is of the highest order;
it has able and well-informed correspondents
at the great business and government centres,
and sustains the great religious and humanl-
tartan enterprises of our times, and truly rep
resents the Christian progress of the age.
Within three years it has attained wide circu-
lation. 1t offers, as a premium, splendid
| chrome picture Of Henry Ward Beecher-the
| best have ever seen-11 by "A inches-worth
Sc, to any who will send three new subscrip-
tons, one new subscription for three years, OF
for two years and So additional, Or for one
year and So additional.
| LECTURES.
| We have had surfeit of lectures, from per-
SONS eminent, and some not so eminent. A
few, like Sumner and Phillips, have drawn
large audiences, but most of them have had a
moderate attendance. Even Miss Edgarton,
| the pearl of the Platform''-as her friends
designate her-and the delight of the anti
women suffrage folks. had but few hearers.
Mrs. Stanton is to lecture on Marriage and
Divorce, next week, Wednesday evening.
CONCERTS
of various kinds, and for various purposes,
nave peen HulHeIouS, anu Nave SfdGlHeu tne
music-loving, at moderate cost But the
Nilsson concerts have ecipsed all others.
THE LATEST NOVELTY,
which will interest the ladies', is an electric
sewing machine, in which the motive POWER
is electricity, superseding the treadle. 1t is
easily managed, can be applied to all kinds of
sewing machines, be made for half the usual
price, and be run for three cents day, for
| lightning.
.7ss- ADJUSTMENTS.
| We have the usual attractions, for the lovers
of the drama, at the various theatres, the par
ticular star being Mrs. Bowers, in Mary Stuart
| and Queen Elizabeth at McVicker's r.