New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-03-09
DELAYED SPRING TRADE.
A FAIR BUSINESS ANTICIPATED LATER.


FAIR BUSINESS ANTICIPATED LATER.
PROSPECTS IN DIFFERENT BRANCHES OF BUSINESS
RESULTS OF AN OPEN INVERTEBRATES BUY
ING WITH GREAT CAUTION.
Merchants generally unite in stating that
the Spring trade is backward and that for the opening
OF March, business has been dull. representative OF
H. b. Claflin & Co. says: d" The dry goods trade Is
little later than usual both with joDbers and buyers
The unusually mild Winter has made buyers more pru-
dent They do not to buy goods with most OF
their Wnterstock still on hand. Business throughout
the country is unsettled Failures continually being
reported, and merchants are buying only what may
be required for immediate necessities. The ways OF
communication numerous and accessible that
orders can be filed promptly and heavy order
business is looked for this year. rather than large
of personal purchasers heretofore. Jobbers
unusually late in buying their stocks this Spring
caution being the rule in all branches OF tho trade The
gross amount OF sales January and February however,
did not make a very bad showing by comparison with
the sales of the same months in 1877. II Congress
would repeal modify the bankrupt law and then adj
journ and 90 home there would be less trouble in ADJUST
ing business affairs AS the law stands it offers
premium for fraud, and some merchants voluntarily 20
into bankruptcy and after settling with their creditors
FOR small percentage the dollar, enabled again
to comp to with legitimate aud honest trade. 10 Is
fact susceptible OF proof that since the bankrupt law
enacted, failures have Increased immensely. The
but there Is no reason why temporary depression
should destroy our hopes OF the future"
Importers also report trade backward and business
generally dull for March. Passavant g. Co. state that
there is a sharp demand for fancy dress goods with lit
tie inquiry for the plain goods Silks, vclyets' and
millinery goods being purchased sparngly and only
TO moot immediate wants. The marse has been greatly
Oyersocked and the economy OF the people OF the West
and South marked that heavy sales scarcely an
cipaed The season is long one, lasting until late in
Jme, aud general belief that before this mouth is
over there VIII tie marked Improvement III TRADE. Ihe
in Europe has greatly injured the SIX trade by
tire siik-producng countries the American market
N,th the assurance 0 peace, business OF all KINDS VIII
Improve, this Tm says, aS Drlsk demand VIII spring up
all over Europe which will greatly lessen mp0rtations
and stimulate the price here Of imported goods.
The boot and shoe trade Offers no exception tn gen
erai dulnes. The open Winter ntcrfered with sales or
heavy goods particularly rubbcrs and the demand hav-
ing ceased there s much capital locked up. Manufac
tories are reported running short time, and not
crowdiEg tho market with stock. They are awaiting
orders, which Will be promptly filed 1t is not believed
that there will be any apprecable falingof in the sales
this season from those Of last year, but the deiDahd Is
expected 10 come IN much later than usual.
Loudcrlack. Gilbert Co., In referring TO the whole
sale hardware business that goods which should
have been sold three four weeks yet in stock
Trade fair thus far In the present year. and is
dullcr than anticipated and provided for by job
bcrs and manufacturers Southern buyers reported
the last few years. but they purchasing sparnely
The the cotton crop and the excessive freight
rates have combined 10 drive southern trade away IRON
tins city this rm claims, and ~ Louis secures the bulk
the trade OF the Cotton States principally on account
the cheap freight offered by steamboats, on the
Mississippi River. II il expected that In short time
the Spring business will be at It's height.
There considerable activity among wholesale grocers
and provision Dealers and although it is not entirely
equal expectations the business being done gives fair
satisfaction. The tardincss OF Western merchants in
making purchases Is spoken Of but is believed that in
n few weeks the trade Will he heavy and satisfactory
one 4 representative ol II. X. Il +. b. Thurbcr Il Co.
expresses the belief that the settlement of the silver
question will stimulate purchases by western ana south
buYcrs.
all parts Of the south and West. bat III quantities not as
nrgc as anticipated Freight agents and cartncn CO.
ncie the expectation Of obDers and importers that
there will be n large trade later In the season.
Tue hotels ID the city are filling up rapidly with mer-
chants from the West and SOuth. A merchant troin
Ohio Stated recently that there were cheering signs OF
an Improvement In business q, the West. The crops"
he said "haye been unusually heavy and farmers
Ing invested in Government bonds The hard times
hayo made the masses act with much more prudence
than heretofore Hud they are exercising economy pu-
chdsin only such goods absolutely necessary one
cu,e hy merchants have deferred their purchases II
the roads blocked up with mud that II Is
almost impossible at present TO move merchandise from
dcpOs. The prospect for an early opening OF t1e
canal, has been the means Oi furnishing WORK Tor hund
red, men, who busily employed In repairing, over
hauling and rcpaniIus the boats preparatory 70 early
operations"
The propretors OF the Hudson Riyrr steamboat lines
state that the breaking NJ OF the lee nj ALBANY Troy ana
indicates early opening or the navigation
OF the HudsoH River, and believed that navigation
will be generally resumed this month.