The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-02-03
CHICAGO CORRESPONDENCE.


Adyance-Lectures- C0ncerts-Latest Now
elty-Amusements.
CHICAGO, Jan. 81, 1871.-The late snow
storm-the most severe that has occurred
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 wonted activity, and Chi
cago 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
a larger region Of country than usual, and
the amount of snowfall was almost unpre-
csdented.
THE WHEAT MARKET
Has been quite active the past week, No.
selling for $l221-an advance of about 20
cents in month. The receipts are small
but next week will probably show a large
increase.
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-
sumed again, with a large supply of live
hogs. Thus far there has been 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 that have been weak, or embarrassed,
for some time, though their condition was not
l., ln oc tha,,
were expected, but few were general sur
prize 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 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
$4,000 since July, they had not made a
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 q very satisfactory
trade.
BUSINESS PROSPECTS.
There have been large preparations for an
increased trade the coming season, many
new and capacous stores having been erected
for that purpose the past year, or will be
completed in season for the spring trade
There is 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, and
if he fails in one enterprise he tries another
and another, till he succeeds. A we'll known
firm here, not worth dollar in 1865
though doing a large business, are now
worth million and quarter.
RELIGIOUS ENTERPRISE.
The energy manifested by Chicago, in
business pursuits, is equalled by her activity
in religious enterprises. In this respect, sh,
obeys the command, :: Whatsoever thy hand
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 spiritua
wants, of the great Northwest They ar,
more truly national organs of religious sen
tment than any published at the East, arr
managed with equal, if not superior, ability
in q broader and more catholic spirit, anC
better comprehend the spiritual needs Of tn,
West than Eastern journals can.
Pre-eminent among this class of religious
newspapers, is
THE ADVANCE,
published by the Advance Company, at $2.5
year. It's editorials are able, dealin,
frankly with the live questions of the day
and are supplemented by articles from
large corps of the best thinkers and writer
Of the time. It's commercial department i
reliable, its miscellany and family reading
is of the highest order il has able and we'll
informed correspondents at the great bust
ness and government centres, and sustains tn
great religious and humanitarian enterprise
of our times, and truly represents the Chris
tian progress of the age. Within three year
it has attained a wide circulation. 1t offers
as premium, splendid chrome picture o
Henry Ward Beecher-the best | have eve
seen-11 by IA inches-worth Sc, to any VIII
will send three new subscriptions, one new
subscription for three years, or for two year
and 81 additional, or for one year and So ad
ditional.
LECTURES.
We have had surfeit Of lectures, iron
persons eminent, ana some not SO eminent
A few, like Sumner and Phillips, hav
drawn large audiences, but most of then
have had moderate attendance. Even Mis-
Edgarton, 4" the Pearl Of the Platform, "a
her friends designate her-and the delgh
of the anti Suffrage folks, had bu
few hearers. Mrs. Stanton is to lecture OIL
Marriage and Divorce, next week, Wednes
day evening.
CONCERTS
of various kinds, and for various purposes
have been numerous, and have gratifed tn
musc-loving, at a moderate cost. But tn
Nilsson concerts have eclipsed all others.
THE LATEST NOVELTY,
which will interest the ladies, is an electri
sewing machine, in which the motive powe
is electricity, superseding the treadle. 1t !
easily managed, can be applied TO all kind
of sewing machines, be made for half tn
usual price, and be run for three cents
day for lighting.
ADJUSTMENTS
We have the usual attractions, for tn
lovers Of the drama, at the various theatres
-.