St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-09-03

Merchandlse received. 1,GO9 l,glo 2.Jf1
Merchandise shipped ,OS1 2,2S6 3,OO7
1t will be seen from these figures
that the gross receipts of goods by car lots for
August were 2,1S6 cars more than for July, and
1906 cars more than for June. The shipments
of goods by rail were in August / ,O09 cars more
than in July, and ,4S4 cars more than in June
In the receipts of merchandise August exceeded
July by 623 cars, and jane by S32 cars, while
merchandise shipped out in August was 72l cars
more than in July and 926 more than in June
This is an increase in gross receipts of over 20
per cent. and of shipments of 20 per cent
for the last month The gain in merchandise
shipped and received is still greater, being 81 u
and 32l per cent. But these figures do not
cover the whole increase of the city's outside
trade for the last month. River receipts and
shipments show an increase of GO and 1870 per
cent. for August. 1t may safely be inferred then
from these figures that there has been for
the month of August an increase in the
general business of the city and that
increase not inconsiderable. The testimony
Of the figures too-and it is said that figures
cannot lie-is strongly corroberated by the testi-
mony of the merchants books which in nearly
every branch of mercantile pursuit show great
increase in the quantity of goods handled during
the month under review and in not few in
stances in monetary value also. During the
first part OF the month the showing would
hardly compare, in many branches. with the
showed marked improvement over the same
weeks OF SO. Groccrs are ali unanimous in the
declaration that they have handled more goods
in August just past than they did in August, 'S3
Diapers say the same thing, hardware merchants
sing the same happy song, and the jobbing trade
generally of the city has no just cause
10 grumble complain. The prin-
cipal increase of business has been
during the past two weeks-since the gloriously
abundant crops have been assured beyond per-
adventure. This has given merchants conf
dence ana they buy more freely than they did
few weeks back. Caution, however, they wisely
allow to rule their transactions and consequently
they come TO market more often
than they did in former years. 1t
will perhaps have been observed that
merchandise forms nearly one-half the
total shipments, being 3,OO7 cars out of SOB:
the other 3,016 cars wheat, coarse grains
millstutf, hay, lumber, produce, heavy iron
goods, etc.
For the week ending yesterday the gross re-
ceipts by rail were 1897 cars and by boat 500
TONS and for the week ending August 20, L. 22
cars by rail and $50 tons by boat, being 95 cars
less by rail last week and $50 tons more
by boat. The shipments were 1,12S cars
by rail and 65 tons by boat against 1l7G
cars by rail, and % tons by boat, being 4S cars
less and 95 tons more. The falling off, however
has not been in merchandise but in grain pro-
duce, etc. The shipments of merchandise were
20, showing gain for the week under review OF
% cars The receipts were for the week $50
cars against 504 for the former week, being an
increase Of 7S cars or 10 per cent. on the former
week. These figures would indicate CON
siderable picking Up in the job
bling interest of the city and there
is no doubt that the week Just concluded has
been one of considerable commercial activity.
Boots and SHOES during the week have steadily
increased in activity till the jobbers aud manu-
facturers are doing a thoroughly good business
Prices are steady. The month opened dull and
during the first part business was quite Hat, but
the merchant now has no need of complaint
Leather too has been Tor the
last two weeks considerably improving
till there is quite brisk demand for all
lines of goods-harness and sole uppers and
findings. The market is very firm but quiet
There is also a good demand for harness and
saddlery. There has been no let up during the
past week in grocery and the month of August
has turned over more goods than the month of
August did last year, although the ledgers OF
some houses do not show larger balances in
favor of met gain, owing to the extremely low
values. There are some houses, however. able
to show handsome increase even in this re-
spect. Prices are generally steady sugars are
for the time quiet; teas steady; cOfees irmer:
provisions firm; mess pork easier, and canned
and dried domestic fruits dull. The grocery in
teTest generally is to be congratulated upon the
breaking up Of the coffee exchange. for now
nothing but honest supply and demand rule
prices. Iron and steel manufactured have for
the last two weeks beeI improving considerably
and business is fairly brisk Prices are
stiffening and the market is assuming a better
tone than il has felt for some
time past. Many mills refuse to
take orders in the expectation of a material and
general advance in prices. Some mills which
blew out their furnaces in July have not yet
opened up and others contemplate shutting down
till the healthier tone of the market has become
more assured and prices are placed upon a pay
ing basis. General hardware has no new fea-
ture; the remarks of last week will apply as well
now. The market is quiet prices
steady and trade fully equal to what it
was at the same time last year
August is always dull month with drugs, but
the August just passed has hardly been so fat
as in former years. Business now is picking mp
again, and the indications are for a good fall
trade. There are few changes In quotations
to note, and In favor OF the purchaser, the prin-
cipnl Of which are borax, camphor, castor oil
and gum shellac. But the most important
are the declines in linseed, lard and
whale oils. There is also decline
IN druggists glassware. Every day of the past
week has seen considerable improvement in the
drapery trade, and all the dry goods jobbers and
motion" dealers have been quite busy, Personal
buyers have been more numerous, and orders
have been considerably larger. The demand for
blankets, counterpanes and comforters is quite
urgent There Is no doubt that the fact of the
abundant harvest being "safe and sound has
greatly stimulated trade for the past
two weeks. For the first half OF
August 1t looked as If the month would compare
but serrtiy With August of 1888, but the latter
half OF the month completely redeemed the first
and put Oh handsome showing TO the advau-
tage OF 1854, Although latteriy-especialiy the