Daily globe., 1879-05-14
ST. PAUL TRADE.
Weekly ReUie,U Of the St. PaesL Markets..
OFFICE OF THE GLOBE,
ar PAM, Nav IL.

OFFICE OF THE GLOBE,
ST. PAUL, May IL.
Among the most cheerful and notable fea-
lures in commercial circles during the past
week is the feeling of renewed confidence in
spired by the daily visitation of liberal and
refreshing rains, which have entirely dissipated
all doubts concerning the uncertainty of the
crops, while the renewed assurance of good and
healthy products has materially improved the
general tone of trade. The general movement
in the principal departments of mercantile
trade continues exceedingly active, and in most
respects satisfactory, the general tendency
favoring decided advance in prices.
In the latter respect reference may be made to
several difficulties reported by the hardware
keeping full lines Of certain descriptions of
goods. The most important obstacle met with
at present is the scarcity of nails and screws,
which can hardly be had in sufficient quantities
to meet the requirements of the steadily in
creasing demand. The scarcity is attributed
to a combination among Eastern manufactur-
ers, who have united for the purpose of fore
ing an advance in prices as q means to accom-
plish which, they have reduced their working
forces to the lowest possible minimum, while
many of the larger concerns have Temporal
rily suspended altogether.
To substantiate the latter statement, it is
given on reliable authority that all the extern
operations and that the only manufactures
making the slightest pretense of work are To-
Gated at Wheeling, and even they are not run
ming their full complement of hands. A sim
liar state of things is reported at the leading
dry goods establishments, with the exception
that the scarcity of cotton goods, and the con-
sequent advance in prices, proceeds from per-
fectly legitimate causes, viz: the shortness of
the cotton crop, and the unusually active
home and export demand, while
the looms of the Eastern manufactures are
working more industriously at present than
they have previously done in years.
The volume of transactions have been fully
up to the excellent standard reported at last
weeks writing, while business is partaking
more and more of an order character, the num-
ber of outside dealers visiting the city being
comparatively limited, as compared with pre-
vious weeks of the season.
The grain and produce markets have been
fairly active, and with moderate receipts and
good demand values have generally ruled
steady.
A good business is reported at the leading
grocery houses, and the volume of transactions
joyed last year, the only notable change since
last week. writing being with respect to few
of the leading staples, sugar, especially, being
subjected to daily fluctuations
The hardware dealers have experienced an
exceedingly good demand for all descriptions
of goods, the only important features being
alluded to as above noted.
An active movement has characterized the
dry goods business, while the tendency of the
| market favors an advance in prices for the
! reasons before adverted to-
The drug trade has been active, the only
| specially new feature being with regard to
| opium, the market for which has been exceed
| ingly unsettled, with prospects of an early ad-
vance in prices.
The leading boot and shoe houses report an
| active aud satisfactory business the past week
| being one of the busiest of the season.
The movement in hides. furs, and wool,
has been light, while remunerative bu siness
has been transacted by the dealers in leather
and findings. The general demand for cloth
| ing, carpets, hats and caps, notions ETC., has
been good, while operators express themselves
as satisfied with the character of the seasons q
business.