The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-01-11
Dry GoOds-Is55-Reviewea.

For 1877 the dry goods trade exhibits results
not altogether satisfactory. but very much BET
ter than were presented with the close OF 1876.
With some 1t has been O struggle for existence
others have been unable to resist the current
depression and while a few, by the most dill
gent observance and careful adminstration .s 81
the large majority are better than with the
opening ofthe year, as In the interim asses OF
every nature nave continued 20 snI ha IN vae
ished. The average labi tiles Of the trade are
very much below those usual to the season. and
even less when considered Ia proportion to the
Interruptions, such as the electoral contest at
the opening of the year; also labor strikes.
porsed gilt edged mercantile firms, railroads,
trust companies. life insurance companies.
savings banks and hunks Of deposit. in destroy
I naa al body Of consumers assisted to restrict
the eonsumptive demand for dry goods, while
the bankruptcy of character and regulations by
practices has had the tendency to weaken con-
fldence In those making the, greatest profess
sions OF solvency Although these features. We
dry goods trade, they are. however, of Import
ance and should be kept In. sight with the de-
tail of every days bust ness for the future. 80,
Credit Is still too cheap and especially with
such honses that find purchasers for undssira-
BILE lots of merchant 50 at good prices. This Is
the worst feature of trade. as 1t encourages
competition of the most dangerous character,
since 1t destroys the opportunities of solvent
competitors to make profit. and ia sure to re-
suit In settlement with creditors at less than
that bargained for.
Operating in favor of trade throughout the
year the large crops OF cereals. cotton also
Other products of the soil rs well as factory,
have found a good demand in foreign markets
to the relief of the home supply, the more con-
slant employment of skilled labor. and conse-
uuently freer distribution of money among
those who longed for the opportunity to re-
plenish their scanty and threadbare wardrobes.
From the opening of the year to the close the
DISPOSITION Of distributors has been of policy
the reverse of that which has been pursued for
some years. Speculative action has been fg-
nored and purchases have not been in excess
of requirements. though shipments have been
made in advance of wants in order to make
available low freights, which practice has been
of more benefit to consumers than to traders.
The adoption Of holding purchases to legiti-
mate wants WIS rendered absolutely necessary,
of all markets, as well as the indiscrminate
distribution Of bankrupt stocks to the democrat
ization of the small trade.
At no time in the history OF the country have
we been able to record the observance by the
textile manufacturing interests OF the neceSsi.
ty of obeying and executing the orders OF
agents. Diversion of production has been
much more general and successfully SO, con-
tinuing the competition with imported fabrics
and warning importers of the danger they run
In bringing out other than specialties or staples
Of q limited amount. ,
AS a consequences Of rigtdly respecting the
opinions and orders Of agents. better fabrics a
lower but uniform prices have resulted anc
since produced at the sole suggestion OF agents
the greater were the efforts on the part OF the
latter to place them quickly with good handS