The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-09-01

able ana lntelllgenb men lOr REPRESENTATIVES,
to the Legislature and then bring out full
vote for the ticket.
The Condition and Prospects of Fall
Trade.
The present condition and prospects of the
fall trade, based upon careful observations, is
the subject of a very valuable circular issued
by the mercantile agency of Messrs c. Rus
sell & Co., of Boston. The circular not only
gives the anticipatons of wholesale mer-
chants and iobbers but gives the general con-
dition of the country that depends upon the
various distributing centres for their bust
ness.
The general prospect for business in the
State of Maine, on a whole, is regarded as IA
vorable. In those parts OF the State where
the people depend upon the lumber business
for occupation, there is and has been through
the season, general dizziness not to say stag
nation; consequently in such localities the
prospect for the fall trade is not promising.
On the other hand, along the seaboard where
business has languished in consequence of
the long depression, there are evident signs
of life and prosperity that have not been
witnessed . for years. In these Sec
tions, there will be an unusual de-
mand for goods of all kinds 1t is thought
that the harvest Of the State will be
full an average and perhaps above, except in
fruit which is nearly failure. The hay crop
upon which Maine farmers depend more gen
orally than any other, was unusually good in
quantity and quality and reports from all
parts indicate that the barns of Maine never
contained crop from which so much money
could be realized, This value of the crop is
greatly enhanced by the very short harvest in
other hay producing regions. On the whole,
the various industries of the State in COM
mon with New England are in moderately
prosperous condition.
The projects for business this fall are en-
couraging. During the past season country
merchants have bought but such stocks as
were needed and the close of the summer
months find their shelves comparatively
clean.
While the trade, generally, do not expect
a season of unusual activity, they anticipate
a steady consumptive demand for goods,
coupled with an increased promptness of pay.
ment and less necessity for extensions of
credit than the past year. The dry goods
trade is already opening WELL In Boston the
shoe business the past season has been light
er than the year before, and at present does
not promise any Improvement The prices
generally, are not satisfactory to manufacture
ers. The fish market is. in excellent condition.
Old stocks were sold before the new catch
leaving everything favorable. A moderate
trade in lumber is expected. The demand for
breadstuffs and provisions is now steady but
not active, but is likely to improve with colder
weather.
The Connecticut wooden manufacturers re-
port that the past year has been unsatisfac-
tory and there has been afalliDg off in produc-
ton. The Rhode Island cotton manufacture
ers report an unusually profitable period end
ing two months ago, since when tho profit
has not been so good. There is, however, no
falling off in the production.
The reports from the various distributing
cities of the West show generally an encourag-
ing prospect for the fall trade. The wheat
pect for fair prices and ready demand. The
demand for the products of the prairies for ex-
port continues and viii doubtless increase.
The money market in the West is not so
stringent as year ago and it is thought that
the country merchants can more easily meet
their obligations than heretofore.
From the South, the reports are generally
a. Al.
country will be larger than last year and is
not so generally sold for advances as hitherto.
Although the credit system is still drawback
the cotton planters are more nearly approach
ing the pay-as-you-go system. The best ,mer-
chants do not encourage the long and doubt
full credit system as they find it ruinous to
themselves and their customers. In view of
these facts, it is confidently expected that the
free trade inthe south will be good and con-
Quoted on sounder basis than heretofore.
From the iron producing regions of Penn
sylvania there are complaints of depression
owing TO the decline in the price OF iron and
as the furnaces are only doing a moderate
business, the demand for goods from large
interest will be only to such an extent as is
absolutely necessary.
A survey of the whole country indicates
general prosperity that affords abundant en-
couragement for the expectation of healthy
and prosperous business season; and good
judges are confident that the outlook has i'm
proved during the past few months. The
productive power of the country, the success
attending agricultural operations and the
generally healthy tone of manufacturing in
terests, all point to steady growth in our
material interests, while the notable falling off
in imports and the large increase of our ex-
ports has tendency to inspire confidence in
financial circles that must soon be felt in the
business of the country.
In closing its remarks upon the favorable
prospects for the season, it points out the ten
dency to protracted credits, in which the fol-
lowing suggestions are given:
Notwithstanding this generally favorable as
pect, it must not be forgotten that the lines of
credit are, and have been in the last year or
two, extending materially, and that the gross
amount of internal liabilities to-day is much
larger than it was three or four years ago 1t
is getting more and more evident that in re-
failing good to consumers, merchants are trust
ing too freely and find it extremely difficult to
collect. The Mercantile Agency Records in
debts to an extent that cannot fail to render
collections difficult and sales unsafe without
judcious care.
AS rule, consumers ought to pay as they
go; they are rarely better able to pay six months
hence than they are to-day, and the scattering
OF assets III tnis direction is one of the earliest
and worst indications of a crisis in the future
While we do not think that this oond;t;o., -