Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1871-02-03
CHICAGO CORRESPONDENCE.

Ea1iureS-Tra0c-
ness Prospecfs-Relieious Enterprise.The
ures-COncerts-Lafest Now
elty-Amusements.
CHICAGO, Jan. 81, 1s71.-The late snow
here for years-has proved serious inter
ruption to business. The delays of freight
trains-much more protracted than the stop
page of passenger trains-have been quite
embarrassing to the public. But mild
weather, the opening of the usual thorough
fares, and the resumption of travel and trade
have restored our wontsd security, and Chi
dago 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. The storm extended over
larger region of country than usual, and
the amount of snowfall was almost UMPIRE
cedented.
THE WHEAT MARKET
HIS been quite active the past week, No.
selling for S1.2S4-an advance of about 20
cents in a month. The receipts are small
but next week will probably show large
increase.
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-
sumed again, with a large supply of live
hogs. Thus far there has been a large in
crease 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 thath been weak, or embarrassed,
for some time, though their condition was not
known to the general public. Some of them
were expected, but few were general sur
prise. One cause of failure-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 profits 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 COM
plants of hard times, has been greater than
ever before, but business men represent that
their sales have been made at small profits
one house assuring me that on sales Of
5000, 900, 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 very satisfactory
trade.
BUSINESS PROSPECTS.
There have been large preparations for al
increased trade the coming season, many
new and capacious stores having been erected
for that purpose the past year, or will bt
completed in season for the spring trade
There is a marvellous energy and elasticity
in the Chicago business man. He may be
disappointed in this direction, or in that
But hope springs eternal in his breast, ant
if he failSin one enterprise he tries another
and another, till he succeeds. A well known
firm here, not worth dollar III 1865
though doing a large business, are nov
worth a million and quarter.
RELIGIOUS ENTERPRISE.
The energy manifested by Chicago, IL
business pursuits, is equalled by her activity
in religious enterprises. In this respect, sh'
sbeys the command, " Whatsoever thy hant
findeth to do, do it with thy might" No
only are large sums raised to build churches
endow religious seminaries, sustain Christian
associations and support public charities, bu
her religious newspapers are conducted IL
the same liberal and enterprising spirit, anc
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 national organs of religious SEN
timent than any published at the East, are
managed with equal, if not superior, ability
in broader and more catholic spirit, and
better comprehend the spiritual needs of the
West than Eastern journals cam.
Pre-eminent among this class of religious
newspapers is
THE ADVANCE,
published by the advance Company, at $3.50
a year. Its editorials are able, dealing
frankly with the live questions of the day
and are supplemented by articles from 6
large corps Of the best thinkers and writers
of the time. It's commercial department is
reliable, its miscellany and family reading
is of the highest order it has able and we'll.
informed correspondents at the great business
and government centres, and sustains the
great religious and humanitarian enterprises
of our times, and truly represents the Chris
tan progress of the age. Within three years
it has attained wide circulation. 1t offers
as a premium, splendid chrome picture OF
Henry Ward Beecher-the best I have ever
seen-11 by IA inches-worth Sc, to any who
will send three new subscriptions, one new
subscription for three years, or for two years
and 50 additional, or tor one year and So ad-
ditional.
LECTURES.
We have had a surfeit of lectures, from
persons eminent, and some not 80 eminent
few, like Sumner and Phillips, have
drawn large audiences, but most of them
have had 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, Wednes-
day evening.
CONCERTS .,. .
of various kinds, and for various purposes,
have been numerous, and have gratifed the
music loving, at moderate cost. But the
Nilsson concerts have eclipsed 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.
ADJUSTMENTS.
We have the usual attractions for the low
ers of the drama, at the various theatres, the
particular star being Mrs. Bowers, in Mary
Stuart and Queen Elizabeth, at McVicker's
B.