The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-12-31

to favor them in the coming year as far as
the signs can now be diseerned. Thegrow'
ing wheat never looked better. The AockS
and herds are in healthy and thriving con-
dition. Good prices are obtainable for all
the farmer has still to sell, and in every
barn and in every field there is enough and
to spare Of all that goes to make up the
wealth Of the agricultuHlist. Ours is
not a region ofyiOlent extremes. We have
an enviable climate - hSalthful in its
general varieties Of temperature, and as for
our soil, it is almost unyaryingly kindly in
its responses to the intelligent labos OF its
tillers, Notwithstanding the unusual ex-
periences Of 1881 in the atterofdry andhot
weather, the crops averaged well indeed,
the corn faring worst but still turning out
n good two-thirds crop.
Notwithstanding the city OF Wheeling,
and the manufacturing suburbs by which
it is surrounded, depend less than usual on
the prosperity OF the country that is imme-
diatelY tributary to them, yet it is matter
for the unqualified congratulation OF all OF
us that our farmers have had good year
"a good series ofyears-and thattheir con-
tinued prosperity is so well assured for the
year 1882.
Turning again to the city, we. have to re-
new our congratulations to our business
people OF all the various trades and occu'
pations that make up the SUN total OF our
industries, on the prosperity they have en-
joyed during the year, and on the seeming
ly excellent prospects ahead. There is no
cloud visible in tho sky at present, what
ever may bo evoked by the rashness of
speculation during the new year. The de-
mand for the products for which Wheeling
has reputation throughout the country is
very satisfactory indeed. All well.managed
establishments have made money this
year, and they go into the year ahead with
an unusual number Of satisfactory orders
on their books. The characteristic
conservatism Of tho business men
of this city has been well illus
trated by tho fact that they have not
sought to do speculative business, and
have rather set themselves to repress than
to encourage the advancing tendency Of
prices, They prefer to do regular and
safe business, rather than one OF n spasmod-
ically profitable character. The production
ofgoOds at the Nail mills during the last few
weeks has been seriously interfered with
by the Feeders strike, u strike not against
the owners OF the mills, but against their
immediate employers, the Nailers. This Is
now settled, and the various establishments
affected are again running full.
The books OF the Collector OF Internal
Revenue for this district show that the
classes Of business for which license or
stamps are required has been very active,
and the production decidedly increased
over former years, This is particularly
true ofthe Brewing and Cigar manufacture
ing business. The reputation Of Wheeling
for cigars as also for brewing products is
second only to that which she enjoys for
Nails and Glass These articles find
markets far beyond their original limits
and bring in large amount Of money for
circulationin this community
The railroad business Centcring here
shows decided increase this year. we
have not the figures at hand as yet to show
just what this increase has been, as these
gre not made up except for fiscal years, but
the uniform testimony Is that in almost all
OF traffic and travel u hand
some increase will he shown. Tho con.
sumption OF coal and coke on tho two sides
Of the river Is now very great, and these
two items alone furnish an immense bust
ness to the roads, saying nothing Of general
merchandise nor Of tho specially Of Coal,
which is now great and growing BUSH
ness on almost all Of the roads. The local
business over tho i. & 0. in the way Of
merchandise shipments to the interior Of
the State from this city, has been at times
unprecedented, just MS the aggregate whole
sale trade of tho city this year has been
perhaps the largest in its history. We I'M
derstand that the Wholesale grocers and dry
goods mon have done better business
this year than for years past They report
collections very easy and prompt, and some
OF them tell us that January payments
have already been anticipated. In fact,
ease in money matters Is one Of the very
features Of all kinds Of business
done in this city nowadays The farmers
arc in shape to pay for all they buy from
the country merchants, and these latter are
thus enabled to pay the jobbers with unu-
sual promptitude.
Tho steady employment at our large
manufacturing establishments during the
year has made good trade for the retail
business Of the city in almost all depart
mcntS. This, in addition to larger pur-
chases than usual on the part OF the Coun-
try trade, Inns made the year 1881 one Of
the best enjoyed by the retail trade for
years past. This, too, notwithstanding the
advancing tendency Of most articles Of
merchandise during the year.
Among the additions to our manufactur.
ing business during 1881 the successful
completion and operation OF the South
Wheeling Pottery rnnkE rs the most impor.