The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-09
COMMERCE.
Review of the Local Grain, Produce, and
Provision Markets.

review OF the Local Grain, Produce, ana
Provision Markets.
INDTAEAPoLIs. May 8.
The general commercial movement is steady,
and in some lines is assuming fair proportions,
but in the main trade continues unsatisfactory
and the general course of the distributive trade
is marked with extreme caution, yet there are
newspapers which take a sorry view of the stu
alton. The Boston Advertiser, for instance, says
1.-THE trade of the country is really larger than
it has been before, Notwithstanding the fact that
few railroads show diminished receipts and
clearing house transactions are not growing.
What dealers complain of Is the absence of prof
its. And surely it is not often that banks, i'm
porters and country dealers do so large BUSH
ness on such slender profits. Moralists VINO vote
acts per Sc good or bad should glory also in the
growth of virtue, for of speculation there is
hardly a trace; OF Legitimate business
there Is more than ever. But there is
another side to this. Legitimate business, that
is, the actual exchange of goods and values,
really ceases to be qnlte legitimate when dealers
fail TO make profits. Speculation, on the other
hand, sets in wherever it is reasonable to expect
unusual profits. The fact, then. that speeula-
ton is dead just now proves, not that dealers
are vrtuous, but that business men fail to make
profits, notwithstanding low wages, rather
Cheap money, large transactions and very fair
prospects. Yet the country is prosperous, rea-
lively and absolutely; 1t produces more than 1t
consumes and 1t should be happy. But it hap
pens that the man of business feels brightest
and best when prices go up; just now, they go
down. For shallow and embarrassing reason
men are always bulls with what they have and
bears with what they do not have. High prices
do not necessarily mean prosperity, nor DO low
quotations indicate poor business. For it
is possible that business men grow poor,
or werk for nothing, while the coun-
try at large is getting richer. The
local market presents no new features
The dry goods trade continues backward, and
tile textile manufacturing establishments of the
East are many of them shutting down, some for
repairs and the usual seml-annual stock inven-
tories, and others to restrict production. The
wool market is still dull, and promises to CON-
time so until the new clip ts on the market, and
then indications are that prices will be weak.
The egg market was generally reported slow to-
day, and the warmer weather makes holders
more anxious to realize, but we make no change
in our quotations. Choice butter Is still in fair
request, but poor stock is neglected. Prime new
cheese is reported fairly active at prices quoted.
The warmer weather has stimulated the demand
for green stuff and foreign fruits. Potatoes con-
tinue to arrive freely, and the market is very
dun for poor stock, Of which the receipts largely
consist; however, prices Tor all kinds are weak
and declining. Clover seed has further declined.
Green apples will soon be out OF season. Beans
very dull, and there is not much inquiry for
dried fruit Receipts of poultry are light and
prices rule strong. large per cent of the re-
ceipts are now shipped East. The provision
market is really active, and the demand for hog
products increasing. A decided tendency is
shown to higher prices for lard and hams.
GRAIN.
Prices ranged much the same to-day as on
Monday, but the attendance on Change was
small and the bids showed that dealers are still
cautious. Offerings OF all descriptions are light.
Not transaction reported on Change.