The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-01-09
HEAVY SHRINKAGE.
Tie Decline in Railway Securities in
Two Years.
An Average shrinkaxe of About 3G
Fer Gent Re publican presi-
dentIai observation-disclosures
Cheap Honey.

NEW YORK, Jan. 9.-"Gath" saws. since
the assassination of President Garfield at the
beginning Of July, 1881, railroad stocks and
bonds have suffered an astonishing decline
Including only about half the stocks alone
that are listed on the New York stock ex-
change, the loss in price since that time has
been about so, 0o0,0W Conkling and Platt
have male some money, however. New York
Central has declined S!5O).98t in value;
Lake Shore nearly S2001,0lJ; Burlington
a Quincy. S35,G0l09J: Union Pacific,
$50, 00, 031; Denver, S31 ,ooo, 0a1; Cleveland,
Co,umhus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis,
$5,0l00l0; the four Willard stocks, SCI, co.
0O0; Western Union Telegraph, SIC, 0oo, 900;
Louisville & Nashville, SD, Co., 900; Erie,
SlS,e00,0o0; Texas & Pacific, SlS,0O0,0 900; Cen
trail Pacific, So, 000, 600 The average decline
IN these is but IS per cent. Of their value.
Other stocks listed on the exchange have de-
clined, on the whole, relatively about as
much, for in the list above given are some of
the soundest and best dividend payers in the
country. as well as others that represent
collapsed expectations.
The nominal vale of all railroad stocks in
the country is about three times that of the
Ip4IiEh NiStSNl tttltl INC hOttAtt III SaIut
since July, 1881. has been probably not less
than 81 600, $4,000. In addition, these great
corporations have still larger amount OF
bonds outstanding, though the decline in
these has not been, on the whole, as great II
it has been less than half as great this
is apparently q safe estimate, judging from
such securities as are quotej-the apparent
loss in the valuation Of securities within two
years and half has been over 81 sec, Goa. 600
The securities represent, too, an enormou:
earning power, and the railroad system i,
even now earning more than it has ever
earned before
An observer at Washington remarks: "A:
the question Of presidential candidates be
comes lore and more reality, there is al
increasing tendency among Republicans Il
study availability, and to talk up Gen Sher
man and Secretary Lincoln. The dispo
sitian to have 'hurrah boys campaign i.
growing decidedly and notably among
Republicans heretofore prominent in thu
factions, Some favor Gen. sherman
others Secretary lincoln A campaign
with banners and tumpets, with Marching
Through Georgia for the song and the gen
eral CT the heal, is seriously discussed Those
who favor this idea profess TO believe that i
would De the easiest thing in the world. be-
tween now and the meeting of the conven
ton, to wo.S it to fever heat and capture TIM
convention. Districts in number of state.
are said to be insulated with this, and en-
tausiastic persons some of them know
10 be on terms with Senator John Sherman
talk about prairie tire being nothing to it
Regarding Lincoln there is q similar scnti
ment. 1t is all sentiment, in fact Som
think that Lincoln's name would be victory
already half won; that many war Democrat
all over the country would support him; that
every trace Of division aud lukewarmnes
would instantly disappear from the party
that the name would travel faster, go furthe
and sink deeper than any"
Says the Springfield Mass Republican
or Pendleton: He came to Washington wit
a reputation as thinker, though perhaps
/ faulty oae. Except his advocacy of the civ
service bill and his speech thereon, there
nothin. in the history Of tho legislation i
the past six years TO which he contribute.
anything but his favorins or adverse vote
| Whether be thinks well or not men do no
! know, for he never utters bis thoughts o
| public matters. He has SO conducted hin
self IN the senate rs to give the impressio
that he likes his honors aud it's social recogn
/ ton rather than its duties.
! Money is cheap here, and there is larg
/ amount Of investment funds let loose in I'll
/ early part Of this month. much Of whic
seeks investment A rally on this and on Ii
| short interest in the market, ought VII
s<iiiful manipulaticus, to be good for wees
or possibly two.