Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1874-12-18
REVIEW
COMMERCIAL EPlIOME-There
Dec. IL. 1874.

kets have in general been steady and
firm. General trade is, however, unusu
ally dull at this season of the year but
the prospect for revival of industrial
and commercial activities in the not
distant future is considered encour-
aging. This being Fair week, yester-
terday Thursday was observed as a
holiday, aud business WAS generally
suspended in commercial circles. Our
| report til. refore, closes with Wednes-
days sales.
The New York Shipping o,,d Cone
Dsercia{ Rctictn says Of general trade
and finance
The general markets ere more than
usually dnll, even for December,
which is proverbially a qniet month.
Prices, RS a rule, ara low, profits were
rarely ever smaller. and yet the con-
sumption of most kinds of merchan-
disc continues belowthe usual average.
This is explained by the universal
economy Of the times. A vast num-
| Der Of productive enterprises through
ont the country are at stand, and a
| multitude of mechanics, artisans and
laborers are consequently out of en-
| ployment, while the income of others
is less than heretofore; the exchange
| of commodities is comparatively slow,
and the flow of money through the
arteries of trade is therefore uncom-
monty sluggish; all of which, with the
| impairment of confidence, serves to
| reduce the volume of commercial
transactions to the bare exigencies of
the time. The export trrde is also in
a halting condition, as business affairs
in Europe, and for thai matter, all
over the world, are III about as unsat-
lsfactory a condition as they are i'll
this country. And the anomalous con-
dition Of the great European money
markets, aud the unsettled condition
of our home finances, tend to compli-
! cate and make matters worse. Under
these circumstances, merchants and
traders are exercising more than the
usual degree of caution and we look
Tor IL very gu e. state of affairs for the
next two or three months. Congress
has already entered upon an acrimo-
NOUS debate upor the currency 0ues-
ton, to result, it is feared in nothing
that will benefit the country. A bitter
opposition has been developed to the
recommendations of the President and
Sec1etar of the Treasury, even on the
part OF members of the political house
hold, and the settlement OF the ques-
ton, it is evident, will be left to
succeeding Congress.
Matters may drift, then, for two
years; but i'll two years time, the
present uncertainties of trade contin-
ued, where shall we be Two things
seem to us clear: the country cannot
have assured prosperity till this vexed
question is settled; and the longer
y, - i e. ~
will be the difficulty of its adjustment.
The best political economists and
statesmen see no way out Cf the iinan-
cial slough of despond but return to
specie values. This, unGuestionably,
is the true remedy, even though it
might produce temporary suffering.
Indeed, suffering Is lnseparable from
the cure; and the longer its applica-
ton is delayed, the greater will become
the evil effects of yisiated currency,
and the keensr the suffering attendant
upon their removal. 1t is great mis-
fortune to the couotry that It's national
law makers should at this iuncture
com prise so large number of tinan-
cial and political quacks. Money con-
tinues easy. Foreign Exchange firm,
and Gold unsettled.
The naval store business has cxhib-
tied more life this week than last, and
there has been degree of frmness,
throughout which has resulted in
strengthening of prices on some ar
tices.
The shipments Of cotton and naval
stores for the week, as compared with
the past week, were j, 54i bales cotton,
2,0Sl casks spirits turpentine, and
12,SJ0 bh!s rosln, against 4. OH bales
cotton, sol casks spirits turpentinc,
and ., 126 bbls rosin for last week.
Foreign freights are firm, with an
ample supply of tonnage ct command
to meet the shipping demands.
The chief features of the market
and the changes of price OF most of the
leading products and manufactures for
the week are as follows
COTTON-TBe cotton market has
found 10 relief from the previous de-
preston; on the oonr.Iy. prices
have suffered a decline. With the
current consumption of cotton by do
nestle spinners greatly diminished,
and only moderate foreign export
movement, there seems to be no ele-
ment to infuse life into the trade. In
our home market the demand has
been quite limited, and the market
mas GUN ail tue "SGh, Iuu Is
easy at the close. Stocks have further
increased, but the offerings are not
large, much Of the current arrivals
being held out OF market. It is stated
that there has been developed some
local speculative enquiry during the
past week.
The receipts for week We're as
follows
E,;l,- -0O 1,,r,.
Saturday .-.--..-...-.. SUt
Monday -...-... DO
Tuesday. $50 SC
Wednesday, ..........-..7oo
Being a total OF 3,91S bales, against
1914 bales for last week.
The receipts AMI shpme ats at all
ports for Last week and since Septem-
Der list, as compared with correspond
ing time last year. IS compiled by the
New York F5n0ncidf UT03ict", are
shawn as fol!ows:
The receipts for The week were
175 9i2 bnic~; same we, k last year,
10 3i.' bales: since September /, u,
! ,4J7 Gn6 halcs; same time last year,
/ ,l54, O96 bales. The shipments for
the week were 12l 1881 bales; same
week last year, 1G4, 677 bales; since
September l, :73, 7l7.3l7 bales; Same
tine last year, 536, 676 bales. Stock