The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1871-09-30
From the New York Post, 18th.

Our fall trade opens with an activity
which has had no parallel since the
years 1865 and 1866. Among the chief
causes of this is the fact that during
the last year our exports have been
larger in value thar during any preyi-
Gus year of our national existence. Al
ter supplying our own wants, we have
been able to spare to foreign consumers
about four hundred millions of dollars
worth of cotton, breadstutfs, petrole-
UNI, provisions, timber, etc. The states
and territories of the Pacific slope, too,
have produced more than eighty mil
lions of dollars in bullion.
Still another and important cause to
be considered is the influence of the
late French and German war, which,
curiously enough, is now felt for the
first time in the regular industry of two
mighty nations comprising eighty mil
lions of people, whose trade was inter
rupted for nearly whole year. When
the Germans returned home, loaded
with the riches of conquest, they found
their markets bare of goods. The
home demand for manufactured arti-
cles became brisk and thus diminished
the regular expectations. France, be
sides her foreign troubles and domestic
calamities to overcome, and the usual
channels of trade by which all nations
were accustomed to supply themselves
were seriously interrupted, if not
wholly closed. In the meantime foreign
goods became somewhat scarce i'll cur
own market, on account of the war.
The general result In this trade has
been that there is now throughout this
country widespread necessity for re-
plenishing stocks which were low in
foreign dry goods. During the last
month the necessity has been shown in
a remarkably strong demand by both
western and eastern merchants.
Foreign dress goods of all kinds are
sold freely, chiefly to western and east
ern buyers. The most noticeable fea
tuTe in the fall trade is that very small
amounts of desirable goods are sold at
auction. This is entirely owing to the
fact that the foreign consignment trade
has almost ceased to exist since the re-
cent war
We are told by one Of the largest dry,
goods firms in the country that the
greatest difficulty consists i'll procuring
suitable foreign goods. Manufacturers,
both in England and on the Continent,
are under engagements for from SIX to
twelve weeks ahead, and In some in
stances, both in Switzerland and Al
SAGE, a scramble is made by buyers for
such desirable lots as may be found
ready for market There can be no
doubt that, Judging from appearances.
the stock of foreign goods Ill first
hands will be insignificant by the time
at which, in other years, the season has
only fairly begun.
Among domestic dry goods, woolens
are of great Importance. Owing TO the
great rise in the price of wool, amount
ing IN the average to about forty per
cent, this trade naturally shows less
activity than the foreign dry goods
trade. Buyers are supplying them
selves sparingly, at an average advance
of about fifteen per cent. over the
prices of last year. Nevertheless, the
great commission houses and merchants
feel confident that present prices Will
be maintained, and, as an evidence,
nearly all the WOODEN mills of the
country are busy, working on fulltlme.
The weakest stock, perhaps, in this
branch, is flannel. Yet upon the whole
the trade is healthy. Domestic cotton
goods are not in very great demand,
yet fair steady trade is done on an
average rise of ten per cent. in price
over that of May last.
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Alps. between the Mol and Malta val
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