New-York tribune., 1876-03-13
MERCHANTS OPINIONS.


the principal Of which the open mas
greatly interfered with the marketing Of bulky farm
prodncs and thereby shortened the cash account OF
country merchants-and the great number OF mercantile
failures in January and February Usually New-iorR
merchants shown great faith in the revivng lnnu-
enees of Spring and the mercantile imagination has ex-
panded itself long before there were positive indications
OF trade elasticity This merchants are reserved
and are cautious about expressing rOsecolored opinions
They frankly admit that times II will be possible
10 count with certainty good Spring trade only atef
Il comes that il would be easier 20 predict decline
of from 10 TO per cent in the money value OF the
sprng business aud that they have made preparations
for larger sales than were effected year This may
be ken as the average feeling the importers and
iobbers aud among the few large retailers who do par
eel business with citizens of all the large cities of the
Union, North sOHth and West.
The fact that the expectations OF no one are greatly
raised Is regarded as a healthy sign. Nobody will be
greatly surprised them if there is falling of in trade,
aud IL is fact that merchants have prepared themselves
for obtaining better results from given amount OF
business before. They complain Of two things ana
are fast correcting of them. They feel deeply the
need Of wise financial policy which shall give 1.-THE
dollar fixed commercial value The importers say
they suffer under great Disadvantage and their Dusl-
ness which healthy ought 10 be conducted on In
variable principles, is hampered by the element
of speculation. Margins very small and the
decline of gold in a single day is often sufficient
20 wipe out profits and frequently causes loss
What merchants complain OF but fast correcting is
the extravagant mode Of doing business which New
York houses have fallen into since the war; Tho un
necessary leakages have been enormous member OF
prominent New-York firm. doing an immense business
saws that their New-York stoies,~where 80 men were
employed scarcely paid them cent up to two years
ago They then adopted reasonable economy, reduced
the number Of clerks 90 per cent without reducing saa
lies and took 100000 out OF the business. This large
amount as invested little than dead weight
lunf ftnnpc Ila
expense of doing business being greatly eurtaled on
an sides and merchants have taken examples in economy
from their customers
MANY are hopeful and say that trade is bound to re-
vve in country like this Of bOundless resources, and
for the number Of its inhabitants Of unusual powers or
consumption. Encouragement is found In the state
ments of the large produce and provision merchants
All inquiries among the substantial houses in Broad
and southsts whose business may be said almost TO
extend over the whole Of the United States Great Brit
ain and Europe, point to the good prospects for
dsposng all OF last years crops and produce at sub
tanta prices These firms suggest that the prosperity
Of producers Of the country the prosperity of the
merchant and that Broadway and Churchst ought not
10 grow despondent long there is confidence III
Broad and sOuth-sts.
The produce dealers say that the demand for meats Of
ell kinds steadily increasing and that the supply does
not keep pace with the demand The consequence has
been that prices have been firm with upward tendency
The packers business for the past three years has never
been equaed The Liverpool market has been greatly
stimulated by in the Continent, chief OF which
has been Carlist There nothing to indicate
decline In the produce and provision trade, and 1t Is
asserted everything 20 encourage stockra ing In
this country An occasional failure in the produce bus
meas ascrbed to local causes The business In
general is healthy and prosperous.
An old and strong firm which handles large share OF
the grain exported from this port expresses the opinion
that the residue Of last years cereal crops will be In
NJ 40 NJ fciun
prices The English market is active, and the food in
Europe with other causes have made demand which 1t
n thought be met by the granares OF the United
States IL Is estimated that about half Of last years
crop is already in the hands Of shippers. There is
plenty Of ready money TO take the whole crop out Of the
hands of the producers
VIEWS OF DRY GOODS FIRMS.
Importers, jobbers and retailers IN dry goods give
.bout the same opinions to the prospective Spring
business. They think they are doing about the same
amount trade year ago. and do not look for an In
crease. The weahiest and most substantial firms are
very careful about giving credit They they are sat
ised 10 do moderate and sure business with only the
best houses OF the interior and IN no mood Tor lncr
camille They look for no sudden revival OF
gradually with different condition of affairs They do
not think that business can Se lorced on the county
economy Where e three OF four years ago
now content themseyes with $3.50 suits The demand
is mainly for the ordinary classes OF goods and me
market is filed with American manufactured goOiB,
such calicoes sheetngs and g1nghans OF the pest
quality and in instances cheaper than before the
war. Mediumpriccd silks continue 10 he IN good de
mand beneficial result OF the hard times and over
production OF home manufactures has been to stimulate
competition with the higher grades OF foreign goods and
with gratifying success. The superiority ~ American
cotton goods acknowledged the world over. Bro
cade silks manufactured I'm this city are now on the
counters OF rsclass retailers. who say It VIII he imos-
sble TO import brocades OF better quality or OF patterns
satisfactory 10 the American taste. The same may be
said OF fine grades OF tanncls.
The credit OF Western merchants II said To be very
rood and Chicago payments have been made with htte
delay. The New-Engaud states have suffered greatly
from partial suspension Of the great manufacturing in
merchants place the credit of the south ahead Of New
England, but majority Is o the contrary opinion =
Jadray Of Jaray Co, says trade with the South IL
hght and necessarily owing to The low price Of cotton
Planters selling their crops NJ 10 cents which cost
them I2l2 cents 20 put in the market The firms trade
with the West opens with much activity anu sound
ness as last season. James NJ. Wentz, OF j. NJ WtnS
Co recently took trip through the south and retained
fully convinced that Il u use 10 attempt much oi
. trade in that quarter this season. -. ,,.,,. ,
The large retailing houses Ia the city report niue de
maDd yet for Spring goods They say there s greater
economy among the Weather classes than ever before
CONDITION or THE CLOTHING TRADE.
The clothing business has suffered materially from the
hard times and ready made clothing has been sold as
cheapy during the Winter any time previous TO the
war Mr. Ogden OF Dcvlin Co says the Spring trade Is
as promising as ii year ago. hut will recover very
gradually owing TO great competition and the low price
Of cloths He says that Western payments are compare
tiyely prompt but that Eastern credit among small deal
eTs OF the best He doubts II the unsOund houses
OF the country all shown their weakness and thinks
the drftwood OF the panic VIII not % wholly CUT OF sgLt
before the present year ended The use OF foreign cloths
has fallen OF materially, and American manufacturers
improving their grades OF Hue cloths very rapidly
with view 10 satisfying American ast ard Keeping
advantages obtained foreign manu- acdrers Amer
lean eassimeTes are much worn now by class OF people
who before the panic, wore French or English goods
altogether There has already 9een much comment on
Mr. Ogden mentioned the sale OF large quantities OF
1 Fes PaRsa r9 e thought he %oeh m
dusies OF the country we're approaching suen sate OF