, 1877-10-07
rHE FAIL. TRADE IN CHICAGO.


continent.
THE FALL TRADE IN CHICAGO.
Never perhaps in the history Of Chicago
has this city continued at one time so mnny
visitors as during tue last twenty days. On
many days the hotels Of all grades, even those
in the remote parts Of the city, and the prl-
vate bonrding~houses, were crowded, most
of them having to resort to placing cots in
the halls; and the restaurants and dining
rooms wero packed to overhowlng. The re-
sources of the hackmen and dvery-men were
pushed to their utmost to furnish trnnspor-
tation, and the parks and boulevards were
crowded Us they have never been before.
The weather was charming, and the whole
city presented scene of activity and AMI
nation which was extraordinary even in
Chicago. The West-from Dakota and
Wyoming to Kansas and Arkansas, and all
tho intermediate States-was represented
here, not merely by visitors seeking pleasure,
but mostly by traders and dealers. The
wholesale trade which began in August and
has kept up with greatly-increoscd vlgor has
during the last twenty days largely exceeded,
in the amount and value Of goods sold,
rs well as in the number of purchasers, the
trade of any month in this city in any former
wear. The area OF territory from which these
purchasers came embraced the whole North
western States and Territories, and various
parts of Kentucky and Tennessee. They
embraced dealers in NIL descriptions of
coods,-dry goods, millinery, and fancy
articles, groceries, woolen cloths aud blank
cts, glass and crockery, paints and OILS,
carpets and oil-cloths, and upholstery
Goods Of all kinds, boots and shoes, bats,
furs, and robes, clothing, mems and women's
underwear, jewelry, plated-ware, clocks and
watches. furniture, wooden and basket ware.
hardware in au its branches, tools aud imple-
ucnts, pianos and other musical instruments,
lumber, hard coal, selections Of books and
music for family use, etc.
The increase of sales was confined to no
line of trade, and the buyers who had never
purchased here before represented all
branches of business Tho secret Of this
revival and expansion Of trnde is the
fact that tho whole area Of country
tributary to Chicago is filled With money,
or the equivalents of money. There has
been an une8ampled general crop, the land
is filed with grain, and the livestock prod
net will in due season be as generous as the
yield of grain. There is market for all this
crop,-for every bushel Of grain and for
every pound Of beef and pork. After feed
ing the country literally, there will be vast
surplus to sell to other lands; not q grain
will bo 1ost-there is a market waiting for all
there is to spare. Thus enriched BY prolific
production, with ready market for its sale,
the agricultural community have the means to
purchase literally of al things which they
need and which they do not produce. For
their farms they can obtain everything
needed for enlarged cultivation and greater
productions For their homes they can
purchase all things needed to increase tho
comforts md conyenienccs of their families /;
new buildings can be erected and furnished,
new fences, barns, and cribs can be built,
additional stock can be obtained, dwellings
can be repainted, new carpets and furniture
Gun be bought, and homes can be made moro
comfortable, beautiful, and complete.
As IN indication of tho general prosperity,
and the improved condition Of the country
surrounding Chicago, it may be added that
during September and the first week Of Oc-
tober several hundred bridal parties from
the country came to Chicago to spend their
honeymoon. This is certainly promising
sign Of the revival Of business.
The prosperity Of the agricultural popula-
ton is in strong contrast WITH that of the
mechanical and manufacturing population J;
the one has produced quantities and values
never previously equaled, and has market
for their sale. The other hos worked on
limited time, with reduced number Of oper-
atives, and produced much less than usual,
but still in excess of the demand Its mar
ket is limited. After supplying the neigh
borhood, its business is ended. While the
agricultu7ist has market Of forty-three
millions Of people at home, lie has in nddi-
ton the markets of the world for all his sur
plus The manufacturer, however, must
buy and sell at his own door. His custom
ers are his own neighbors; if he produces
more than they want, the surplus is loss.
The fact that there is no employment, and
conse4 4nently no wages, for one-third Of the
workmen of that branch, reduces the means
of those who should ba consumers. Tie
id1oness of forges, mills, and factories re.
duces the demand for coal, and machinery,
and transportation, thereby reducing the
| number OF persons earning wages in al
those and kindred branches OF labor, anG
eachsuspension Of wages or employmenttakes
away from the general public the means o1
purchasing the products Of the manufac
r., +An a. x