The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-11-05
DRY GOODS.

The following is from the advance sheets
of the annual report by COL Sidney D. Max
WELL Superintendent of the Chamber of
Commerce:
In no department of trade have there been
better evidences OF permanently improved
condition of affairs commercially, than in
wholesale dry goods In every branch and
in all its aspects it presents a condition of
restored health, and of prospective vigorous
growth. The change manifested elfearly
in the calendar year. Though the winter
presented quiet field, it was not behind
the previous year in the volume OF its busi-
ness. With the bankrupt law out OF the
way, and resumption of specie payment
successfully attained; with the generalcon-
victon that prices had touched their
lowest point, and that production has been
so far reduced by the stoppage OF mills
and short time as to bring it within Health
full bounds; with the weak members of the
business community well removed, and
with the earnest desire on the part of mer-
chants to try to make at least a living out
Of their business, the spring approached,
| bringing with it an improved feeling
throughout the entire dry goods field of the
country. The steady upward movement of
|
late hopes of better prices in cotton goods,
the realization of which was not long TO be
delayed. In the early spring there was II
tirmer market generally for cotton fabrics,
which soon grew into a positive advance in
prices As the clouds, that for five years
had swept across the commercial skies,
showed signs of actual dispersal, business
men began to feel that there were better
times ahead. 1t is true many in the in
terror remembering the bitter experiences
of long journey, were not prepared at once
to believe that pronounced change was so
near at hand; but the steadily advancing
prices, the renewed activity in
the whole business field, and the promise
of one of the most abundant and timely
harvests the country mad ever enjoyed, re-
lieved the fears Of the doubling ones, so
that by the time the preparations began for
the fall trace, there were universal and
most undoubted evidences OF the long
looked.for business revival. Merchants be-
gan to buy freely, not in large bills, nor, as
before the war; to meet remote prospective
wants, but to satisfy current demands,
which were steadily increasing. At no
time, for years, las the late summer and
early fall trade been so good. Paper is be-
ing promptly paid. An unusual number
of merchants are discounting their own
paper, while the number of cash buyers
has materially increased. A noticeable
feature is the universal desire to make some
profit from the transaction Of business
Merchants are sick of working for nothing
or worse than nothing, and are content to
allow their neighbors subsistence, If they
may be permitted to reasonably hope for
such return themselves. The advance
j in goods proceeded by successive steps, cot
; tons feeling the change first, and wooden
fabrics afterward falling into line. Stand
, ard prints advanced here from 5EQ6 cents
per yard to 61a@7 cents, in some cases re-
, fuse styles selling al less tlan these quota
tons in both years. Standard shcetings,
which in the spring were quotable here at
Gd7 cents, advanced to 7l4MS%. l.onsdale
, shirtings, which were sold at CENTS conf
manded ga cents. Canton fiannels had
! well nigh % per cent. added to their value.
Standard doeskin jeans advanced from 30
$ per yard to 40 cents. The advance in
cotton fabrics ranges generally from 159
80 per cent. In WOODEN goods 1t has beei
lOdl5 per cent, though it is mostly fell
in Jeans, flannes and kindred goods. III
|. some important classes of domestic dres.
goods, little change. il any, las occurred
though in foreign woolens OF this class
e prices are higher. Silks, too, have advanced
s largely. 1t will thus be seen we have bet
e ter prices better demand, bette
5 pay. and better prospects. Cincin
:. natl, doubtless, in the present calendar
: year will, in quantity measured by yards
e packages, etc.. sell more dry goods tian sl,'
: has ever done in her history, and she vii
. be better prepared to enter uron an ac
!. tive, vigorous, liberal prosecution Of th'
: great work which is before her dry good