Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-09-01

NOTE.-Thc above estimates refer only to
local receipts, and not to through shipments
OF wool and hides, which are not considered
as properly belonging to this report
BOOTS AND SHOES.
The wholesale jobbing trade in boots and
shoes has been rapidly increasing in impOr-
lance during the past three years SO that Sa-
vannah has become the great centre of supply
in this branch of business in the South Al
lantic States. The value OF sales during the
past twelve months has exceeded that of any
former year, the aggregate being about 81, 2J0.-
900. This result haS been attained in face of
adverse influences following a somewhat de-
pressed c0AiliF!0n Of some ~ The leading com
/ modities, caused mainly by over production.
! The Increase in the value of business !,
theresa matter worthy Of eOnerafula-
ton. and shows that the several
large firms in this city engaged in the trade
have exhibited enterprise ~ Held which was
formerly controlled by mcrcn" nts in more
pretcnitOus markets. As evidence of - rs Iact
interior buyers have already purchased dur
ing the present-seasOn more largely than ever
before and orders have been received from
points IN the South and West where it was
not known tliat our firms could present as
large stocks and better goods and at closer
margins, than had been obtained in the great
centres Of the trade at the North.
The large increase of business be-
comes more noteworthy when it is shown
to have been attended by Il dIminutiou In the
per centagc of loss. There were fewer failures
among country merchants than during any
preceding year. while the number who have
been compelled to carry over small balances
has been so small, comparatively. that il is
hardly worth mentioning. In fact, nearly
all the interior buyers are quite indepcndent
and very little credit is sought. Hence, the
future Is more promising, for payments will
be prompt. and consequently The volume of
business will have a tendency to expand be-
yond the limits within which it has been cir
cumscribed by the adverse influences of the
long credit system
TOBACCO AND CIGARS.
now recognized as necessities, with demand
a9 uniform and steady rs for any of the great
food products of the country. We closed our
report last year with the statement of an
active market, which continued until the
subject of reduction of the internal revenue
became one of general alarm. The question
was called up at the opening OF the last Con-
gress and continued under debate until
the closing hours of the session, when
bill was passed reducing the tax, 10
take effect MAY ], 1883, with a rebate
clause. the troublesome features of which are
familiar to our readers and Is foreign to this
review, except TO remark u period Of depres-
sion during the entire sittingOf Congress The
two months intervening between March 3d
and May lst dealers reduced their stocks to a
minimum, and there almost a complete
cessation of spot transactions. With the
inaugural of the new tax trade rapidly
revived with rebound so great that
the sum total Of the years business was
probably fully an average. The reduction OF
the tax was followed by an increase Of wages
to the operatives in tobacco and cigars. The
cigarmakcrs are now receiving from 81 to 81
per thousand cigars increase of pay which
latter figure is the fun extent of the tax reduc-
ton. In addition to the higher cost of labor.
leaf for the manufacture of chewing and smOk-
ing tobacco has steadily advanced, and there
is now every indication of Il strongly main
tanned market for the year TO come. The con-
sumner Of the fragrant weed who grumbles
that the size Of plug has not increased. should
console himself that the reduced tax is Justly
distributed atO the laborcr and grower. In
our city large capital j. employed in the
jobbing Of tobaccos and cigars, and the several
houses engaged in this line are good examples
Of activity and enterprise.
THE FURNITURE AND CARPET TRADE.
This branch Of trade has felt the impetus
given it by the facilities Afforded the business
and the expeditions handling Of the goods at
important points by reason Of our railroad and
steamship connections. and has for the past
few years continued to increase on scale
prOpOrtlonate with the balance OF the whole
sale trade The sales in this line annually reach
large proportions. AMI it is estimated that the
value of transactions during the past season
viii approximate fully half million OF dollars
or over. with an increasing demand. This
large amount in ono branch OF our commerce
has gone TO swell the volume very materially,
and has added 10 little Importance to
this point H. wholesale furniture
mart \ few years back the bust
ness was controlled by one or two houses.
Now there are half dozen engaged in whole
sailing while the second hand furniture
house, form quite an addition to the trade OF
which there are several with the instailment
plan. a new feature in the retail business
which enables people OF small means to
obtain good furniture on easy terms. The coun-
try merchants are beginning To handle furni-
ture in small way. and savannah in her
efforts 10 secure this trade. has met with
sharp competition from other cities in the
stale. as well a. Eastern factories rs the
rates Of freight are 80 high that we are shat ont
from remote sections OF the state. With lower
rates. however, and close prices the whole OF
this business would ne Kept at home; and il is
a singular fact that where there Is such Il
large amount of goods handled in such an
important industry. that there should he n1
manufacturing interests here.
GRAIN.
There was very little doing in the market
during the past year, owing 10 the large sup
Plies produced b. farmers IN this state and IA
fact throughout tie South. The coHsC qurnce
OF such large trops he iast season has 81 abicd
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