St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-08-27
COMMERCIAL.


mer's hopes, the crowning of their labors in an
abundant harvest, has done much to stimulate
trade the past week, and all that is wanted now
is free markets-our ports thrown open to the
whole world and cordial invitation extended to
all nations to exchange and barter with US on
equal terms, and things will right themselves
respecting prices. There is no doubt that there
has been considerable improvement in
business during the past week and
the amount of goods handled has been very
much greater both in bulk and value than the
previous week, although the railroad returns do
not, on the face, show any Improvement The
gross receipts by each were, for the six days
ending yesterday, ,922 cars, whereas the re
cLipts, by the same medium, for the week end
ing August 49, we're 1854 cars, or 6s more
than for the week under review Likewise
the shipments were in favor Of
the previous week, being for the week ending
on the goth, 1,176 cars, while they were for the
previous week 1,217 cars, or ii cars more. The
falling off In the receipts and shipments, how
ever, was principally in produce, stone, brick,
lime and other heavy goods. The receipts of
merchandise were 5O4 cars against 494 for the
previous week, being 10 cars increase,
and the shipments Sol cars against sos,
or an increase of 9 cars. This increase
in the shipments does not appear
to be much-only per cent. on the entire ship
ments of the week before, but it certainly is some
thing. But it is not thought that these cars
represent the entire increase OF business for the
last week for reasons adduced on several previ-
GUS occasions Making the rounds through the
warehouses and stores Of the jobbers there was
not found exception to the CHEEKY declara-
tons, fuller orders" increase of personal
buyers, ""business booming etc, and careful
scrutiny Of the tills and packing rooms went
long way to confirm the
impression that busy clerks and busting sales
men inspired.
The long array of packages piled like pyra-
mids Third, Slbley and Fourth streets in front
Of the great grocery stores showed that business
was not falling of in the grocery line at least and
the managers declared without exception that
business for tho week had been excellent, some
asserting it to be about equal to the previous
week Whilst others stated it to be considerably
better. Business for the last month has
been most satisfactory. The week COM
pared to last year has been better
in the amount OF goods handled, all agree, but
some say that the monetary value is about the
same or less, while others assert their transac-
tions compared to last year are much larger in
cash value. Groceries are generally steady, and
there are very few changes in quotations. Dried
apples are weaker and shade lower. Coffees
are iirmer and teas steady, butt is thought that
if the war between France and China continues
and grows into anything very serious there will
be considerable rise in teas. feathers, find
ngs and harness hardware has greatly picked
up during the week. especially harness
feathers. The market is very firm. Boots and
shoes have been moving quite brisky during the
week, and there has been quite lively demand
for fall leather wear; the amount OF business,
compared to the previous week, was nearly one
third more. There are no changes in manufac-
turers' price lists. Iron and steel heavy goods
have been more active for the last six days and
Smiths goods have been in good demand.
Prices rule very firm, there mills pro-
ducing except in the valley. The Pittsburg mills
do not start up till September and 1t is not
thought that they will then, but will allow their
furnaces to remain cold till prices through scare
ity, advance. In general hardware prices are
steady. Business during the week has been
increasing A better demand has set in for
builders mate rails and general shelf hardware.
There appears to be an inclination to raise nails,
aud one leading mill has already marked up
their list SC the keg. Powder and shot
is in active demand and the ST. Paul shot
tower has been taxed to its full capacity to
fill orders Drugs have also been more active
during the past week, and trade in toilet and
fancy articles has much increased. Prices have
ruled steady, Painters and GLACIERS materials
have been dull, and considerable failing of in
the volume OF trade done is perceptible the past
week; nseed oil has declined another cent, and
lard oils are &c lower. The closing down OF
eastern mills and the cessation of 5000, 900
spindles has stiffened up the market
in cotton goods and drapcry gem
orally is frmer. Trade has very greatly
picked up during the week, compared with last
week 1t has almost doubled. The order trade
has greatly increased and there has been quite a
number OF personal buyers in the market There
seems indeed to be a general return Of confidence
throughout the whole field supplied by the ST.
Paul jobbing houses and notwithstand-
ing the low prices Of wheat, the
splendid crop and low prices OF goods
give great encouragement, and country merchants
are buying freely, but not extravagantly the buy
ers using good judgment aud caution, the goods
mostly in demand are flannels and woollens with
heavy domestics. Brocades are unusually hand
some this season. Travelling men report from
all sections that the crops splendid and that
tho merchants and the farmers alike feel unusu-
ally comfortable about the fall and winter pros
poets.