St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-10-15
MORNING. OCTOBER 1884
COMMERCIAL.

lVllWCnCtHLa
ST. PAUL, Oct. 15.-Men's minds are so much
exercised over politics just now that it would be
remarkable indeed if business did not get little
neglected. The weeks just before presidential
November are never remarkable for mercantile
activity, but are generally characterized by de-
preston and dullness, and it might
readily be expected ON the important
principles involved in the present
contest that at this time business would be very
oulI indeed, Tariff only for revenue means
immense relief to the people and great differ
ence to traders, wholesale and retail in prices.
But other matters, the weather and the low
prices of produce as shown in last weeks review
tend greatly 10 depress trade and yet, notwith-
standing all these unfavorable influences
the volume of business for the week
just ended was quite perceptably larger
than it was for the week ending October s. Amy
increase in trade at this time and under the ex-
ceptional circumstances is very encou- aging, but
when the increase is reported all along the
Northern Pacific. where business has, the whole
year. been especially quiet, the fact becomes
more gratifying. The carrying trade of the rail
roads, by which chiefly is the commerce
of st. Paul to be measured, fo- the past
week has been larger than the previous week.
The receipts by rail were 1851 cars, against
1871 car. for the week ending October Z, being
an increase of 10 cars, while tue shipments were
1,l04 cars and !, 1SS cars for the two weeks re-
spectively, % in favor of the week un er
review. Under the head of merchandise the III
crease is found to be cons derably larger The
receipts of merchandise are returned by the rail
roads at Az cars for the week ending yesterday
while those of the previous week SCI cars
or A cars more for the former week. The ship
ments however show the real state of trade if
heavy stocks in and light shipments out are
mude business must be anything bat encourag-
ing, but when light, receipts are recorded against
heavy shipments business is thriving. mer
chants stock account should have the balances
on the opposite side to the
balance his = cash account. The
receipts and shipments OF merchandise report of
the carriers is in measure the the great stock
account of the 10 birg interest of the city, and
when the credit side Is larger than the debit it
shows stocks are being reduced and a
healthy state of trade, but when the shipments
are a so in excess of the shipments of the pre-
yious week the inference is increased business,
and last week the shipments were
604 against SAG cars for
the week ending October z, being increase
of 50 cars. This is not bad showing in the
middle of dull season with presidential cleo
ton, unprecedented in its importance, rapidly APP
preaching. This increase of u per cent repre-
sents an increase of from 100000 to 1,T40.,.0J
pounds OF goods handled in six days. Careful
Investigation shows that the increase was pretty
evenly distributed throughout the whole
line of the jobbing trade. There has
been considerable improvement in the boot
and shoe business for the past six days. he
improvement has been substantial and healthy,
ana manufacturers aud jODOers have FOX tie
week done good seasOnaOIe business. Prices
arc unchanged DUI are snOstantaiiy The same
the lists issued at the beginning OF the season.
Leather, findings, sadd.ery ana harness goods
have main aineu the ACTIVITY reported last week
and the market still continues very iIm. There
has been very large sIuess done III groceries,
and the Whole trade is Unanimous in declaring
! The present state Of trade more healthy and sat
! isfaCtory than ii last year one firm
! going an immense business states that az
the end of the year, low prices anu small margins
Notwithstanding, they VIII be ''aUle 10 put more
| butter on their bread The market is generally
steady and firm, the only eXcep. ions being sugars.
| The remarks OF last week upon hardware anu the
! iron and steel trade Will equally well apply now.
Business in finished iron and steel Teen
! steady and quiet with q slight Improvement over
! the previous week, hut with no great increase 10
| boast OF, and the general hardware trade has
/ fully sustained the improvement reported last
week. There few change in lists TO record
the principal being nails, chains and copper bot
! toms ali III favor OF the purchaser. Business in
! dry goods has been spasmodIc, a busy day fol
| lowed by with little and at times almost
]
activity in the leading houses has been like the
! rush IN try busy season. But the week. taken
all together has been IA rly active, with the vol
ume OF business considerably larger than it was
! the previous week. The business has
/ been pretty evenly divided ~
between personal buyers and road
orders for seasUnable goods. The Indications
for colder weather have made the eastern mar
ket frmer and brought more active demand
for heavy goods. The local trade in its INFER
mittent Ealare has been more resembling retail
business,nut il is quite evident from the amount
of business done that 1t only requires a little
| cold weather 10 make things boom. The market
/ is firm and prices steady. The drug market has
! been quite active during the past week, but with
weakening prices. There will be found
several changes in the published list. A very
considerable increase in the demand for toilet
and fancy art ces was observable. aud the de-
mand for holiday goods has been fully equal to
! what it was year ago. Lumber and builders
materials were quiet and unchanged with the
amount Of business about equh 10 what it was
/ for the previous week. Glaz!cis aud painters
materials are lower and less active Dressed
/ furs, gloves and caps have been in good demand
! aed the market is firm. The following lists have
been carefully revised and corrected up to daie: