Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-10-03
The Frightening Outlook.

MARKET SHOWS A HEALTHY TONE IN ALL DE
rARTMENTs- HEAVY DEMANDS, QUICK SALES,
AND PROMPT PAYMENTs-A LONG ERA OF
PROSPERITY CONFIDENTLY PREDICTED.
The New York Times on Monday publish
ed the result of extended inquiries made
among leading dealers in many branches of
trade in that city. These questions were met
in every case by most encouraging answers,
both as TO the opening of the fall trade and
the promise of a steady aud healthy increase
of business. A long era of commercial and
industrial prosperity is confidently predict
ed for the country, all sections of which seem
to share in the improvement Of affairs. The
basis of this improvement is deemed by the
merchants to be sound and substantial, and
hence to justify them in holding that the better
times, already come. will long remain to the
people.
Among the more hopeful signs, prominent
Is the fact that the demand is general for a
better class of goods at better prices. aud
that i'll many instances prices are establishing
themselves at n more reasonable profit to the
manufacturer and dealer, and are paid with
less haggling by the buyer. Purchasers ar,
more careful in their choice of stock NOR,
prompt in their payments. The increased
demand Is happily equaled by increased CON
hdencc III commercial credits and the whole
spirit and tendency Of trade are regarded by
the leading merchants from whom the Times
drew its information. as favorable to the real
ization of the brightest and most cheerful an
ticipations
The dry goods trade opened this fall with
an increased demand for all kinds Of stock
The Southern and Western trade is unusually
brisk Both the quality and prices Of the
goods chiefly called for indicate improve
mcnt, and the leading dealers speak conf
IDENTIFY with regard to the future, looking for
steady growth of profitable trade.
The clothing business shows decidedly
increased demand, although there is no ten
doncy on the part Of smaller dealers, as in
years past, to overbuy. The tone of the
market Is healthy il every section Of the
country. The margins are reported to be
somewhat less than last year.
In furniture, with an increase of from 10 to
Il per cent. il prices, there is an increase of
q per cent. in the demand, and factories are
obliged to run until midnight to supply the
stock required. Sales indicate better goods
II EltuttI lIout 10 lut uuktr. IN tle way
of decorative furniture and hangings, the
best and most costly work is in large demand
Trade i'll the line of carpets and oi-cloths
las been so good that the home factories
have been taxed to their utmost capacity
Orders which it will take months to fi'. are
already in the hands of some large dealers
The prices of some grades Of carpets have ad-
vanced, and the business is in excellent con
diton, present and prospective
Leading dealers il crockery report excel
lent prospects for the fall and winter trade,
with increased demand, accompanied by in
creased competition. and in some instances
somewhat lower prices. The American man
ufactures are turning out goods as rapidly a.
possible and are said to be now making near
ly ar much crockery as is imported.
The trade in paper and stationery is report
cd to be very satisfactory. Prices in certain
lines of goods incline to advance The i'm
ports are growing less, home manufactures
are in greater demand, and an increasing ox-
port trade gives great encouragement to this
branch of business.
Dealings il boots and shoes show marked
Improvement. With an advance of 10 per
c ent. il prices, the purchases are larg, and
payments unusually prompt. The manufac-
turers and wholesale dealers who have suffer
ed heavily from failures, now hope to recoy-
er their losses and express great confidence
in the financial condition of the country.
The hide and leather dealers, who have met
with severe losses since 1873, regard the
present condition of their trade as promising
better things. The exports of leather have
largely increased. The best indication of
Improvement lies in the fact stated that tan
neries which have been closed for years are
soon to be reopened. Prices have advanced
from II to 20 per cent.
The trade in hats and caps is more active
than at any period since 1870 Sales and col
ections are reported alike easy. The de.
mand for umbrellas has been unc6mmonly
heavy this year, though the season has been
a dry one.
In the important line of groceries, the re-
ports show that the outlook is more hopeful |
han it has been hitherto, since the close of
he war. The Southern trade is exceptional |
y good. Fancy groceries, imported cigars, |
md other goods classed rs luxuries, are in up-
common demand The sales of canned goods |
ire larger this year than ever before, and the |
liner classes of groceries find ready sale at
good prices.
Provision dealers consider the tone of the |
provision market more healthy than it was
asst fall. The prospect is favorable TO a
arge legitimate business, both at home and |
broad, Better prices are expected to OBJ
ain.
The iron trade is marked by considerable
.dyance in the price of raw material The
one of the market is, however, healthy and
The demand for iron building
material is larger than the supply. Profits in
his line of business are small, and it was
tated that builders are ordering a class of
materials which the more substantial houses
10 not care to keep.
The hardware business shows an increase
u both demand and prices. Present prices.
However, are not higher than those of year
go, but show considerable advance beyond
he midsummer figures. The bottom was
cached during the present year, and now the
endency Is upward. Since August prices
ave advanced from - to - per cent, and
he condition of trade is sound and satisfac-
Dry
The business in fancy goods, millinery. and
indred branches is more active and prosper
us than it has been since the close of the
'ar In laces an increase of fully one-third
D the demand is reported and in millinery,
Gathers and fancy goods generally, there has
een nearly an equal increase.
The jewelry trade has shared with the 9th
r departments in radical improvement in
he character and volume of business. It's
rosperity is even more marked, as in hard
mes this class of goods ranks among the
lxuries which can best be spared People
re buying more freely and prices are main
uned at reasonably profitable rate.
Later accounts Of the Blacksmith, S. c.,
looting affair indicate that it was partly the