St. Paul daily globe., 1884-09-10
COMMERCIAL.

ST. PAUL, Sept, 1O.-The week just concluded
has not been altogether satisfactory one in
commercial circles, and there is no doubt that,
notwithstanding the fact that some branches of
trade have been unusually active, the vol
of goods handled and their monetary value,
have been considerably smaller than they were
for the week ending Sept. 2 There is no doubt
that this is owing chiefly to the low
prices Of grain and produce. AL
though crops are splendid farmers
cannot bring themselves down to accept the
situation and consequently grain is not moving
to any great extent and business is consequently
more or less fettered. There is no doubt about
the fact that the tlers of the soil are the main
spring which keeps the whole machinery of the
merchantile world in motion, and if anything is
wrong with that spring the regularity
and progress of commerce are
nterfered with. In computing the
entire amount of the carrying trade for the past
week, it is found that the receipts Were 1856
cars by road and about IS by water, against
1897 by rail and % by water, being gain in the
receipts of 1O9 cars. Examining the figures
more closely, it is found that the gain was in
coal, wood, railroad aud builders materials The
shipments were ,102 cars by raj, ,and some three
four by boat, against total of 113S the pre-
yious week, being decrease of some 81 cars The
receipts of merchandise were 513 cars against
5S2 for the week ending September ,, or SO
cars less. The shipments of merchandise were
80 cars less, or about 654 per cent.-not a very
serious falling off, but much too large and very
different from the showing of the last review.
Referring to the different branches in detail it
is found that jobbers in groceries have little or
nothing to complain of. Business with them
has been good with rather an
increase than falling off in the
bulk Of goods handled. The market generally
hos hoo ctin gI,n,,
which must be excepted, but the general tone OF
the market is for higher prices, and it is thought
that in the near future many staples will be
marked up. Sugars are stronger and worth from
1s@Ac more than they were a week ago. Cof-
fee is firm and higher, and tea has advanced
from 3G5c There will be noticed some few
changes in prices current of canned goods
boots and shoes have received their share of at
tention. The men on the road do not complain, {,
and personal buyers have been fairly numerous,
but still the amount of business is not such as it
would be if farmers would send some portion of
their immense crops into market. There is
nothing new to note in the leather trade prices
remain steay and firm, business quiet and fully
equal to what it was the same time last year
Heavy hardware and finished iron and steal, quiet
and dull Prices are steady, but no material in
crease in business can be expected till the great
inactivity of the wheat market is broken. Gen
era hardware is a leading house expressed it.
suffering most unaccountable dullness. Bust
ness is not anything what it should be at this
time, and the little squirt of two weeks ago seems
not to have proved an indication of a very heavy
fall trade. There is nothing in prices in the
state of the market to deter buying, but without
doubt the same cause referred TO before is an
swerable for this dullness. The only change in
price lists is nails which are marked down. Drugs
and druggists snndries are unchanged, aud
prices current remain just as they were last
week. Business during the past week has seen
some improvement, but very much larger one
is expected when the crops begin to
move. Dry goods jobbers seem to be
entirely satisfied and report more business the
past week than at any time during the past four
years; that is, of course, at the same time of
year. The activity is principally in woolens,
fannels and heavy dOmestics, although dress
goods are in good demand. White goods, notions
and haberdashery also fairly active. Milli-
merry goods are quiet. Manufactured furs are
beginning 10 move, but it is too early in the sea-
son for any extensive trade. There is no doubt
that the only thing now wanted to make this the
busiest fall that the jobbers of ST. Paul ever had
is that the farmers ship their grain to market
The following tables have been carefully revised
and corrected up to date.