Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-03-28
FINANCE g. COMMERCE.

ST.. Paul., March 2S, 1SS3.-The
weather during the past week has
been cold, raw, and decidedly unfavorable
for business. At this season OF the year
the weather is an important factor and eZ-
erts a good deal Of influence in retarding
or aiding business. The general report for
the week is that business has been only
fair and that collections were hardly that,
and aside from the unpropitious weather
no one seems to be able to give any salts
factory reason why this condition of trade
exists. In the early part of the winter, and
even all through the winter the report was
that collections were poor because wheat
was not moving, and the policy Of the
farmers in holding their wheat was gen
orally criticised in an unfavorable
manner. It was claimed By some that
they ought to sell their wheat and pay
thsir debts instead of holding it for bet
ter price. The winter is now passed and
probably not less than two-thirds of the
wheat crop of last year has gone forward
to market. Yet, notwithsta nding this, the
report throughout the city is that collec-
tions are poor. The money that was to
have flowed into the city has not made its
appearance, and from present indications
it is not likely to appear this season.
When asked why it is that collections are
so poor the dealer will declare that he does
not know of any reason why. They cannot
see any reason for collections to be poor
when the farmers have sold two thirds of
their crop and got the money in their
pockets. They cannot understand how it
is that with two-thirds of
the large crop of the past
year turned into money and put into circu-
lation there should not be an easier money
market than there now is. This is prob
lem they all give up. While the business
of this week has not been what it ought to
have been the general tone of the market
is better and the impulse that the ap-
proach of spring always gives to mercan-
tile affairs is felt now. The improvement,
however, is not immoderate. Quotations
have not changed much during the week.
The principal one is the decided decline
in sugar. The personal buyers have not
been very numerous in market and much
of the business has been on orders. The
grains have not been very active. The
lake markets have been unfavorable
and all grains have shown but
moderate trade. Wheat has not materially
changed since our last review. Corn has
been only in moderate demand. Oats have
been in better request, and closed frmer.
Barley has remained throughout the week
dull and without much change. Rye dull.
Eggs are trife lower and the general be-
lief is they will remain where they now
are. This expectation is based upon the
calculations that We shall have our usual
bad roads. Butter is very weak, and the
best bids packers are making is six cents.
They Will not pay any more for good but
ter than they will for poor, while
the immense quantities on hand
leave the buyer with the
control in his hands. Cattle have been
rather scarce. The average amount of
business is reported by the grocery deal
ers. In sugars there has been decided
reduction of 18c all round. Tubs have
also declined. In hardware there has
stones have advanced to sc per ton. Rope
has advanced 1c per pound. The manu-
facturers have made new list on carriage
bolts from which the discount will be so
per cent. Drugs are rather moro active.
American isinglass runs from $140@175.
Camphor has declined to CSC. Lard oil
has also declined to 92@97c, and No. to
500 85c. Dry goods were without any
special feature. Boots and shoes, leather,
lumber and fur5 are without any special
features. Beans are in moderate demand.
Dressed beef and mutton have been in
good demand without much change in
quotations. In regard to money matters
there is no new feature. There is good
demand while banks are still unwilling to
change the policy they have pursued all
along. They still continue very careful
and limit most of their loans to regular
customers.