The Indianapolis journal., 1884-01-15
COMMERCE..
A Fair Business Doing in the General Mer-
chandise Markets.


chandise Markets.
INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. IA.
The local merchandise markets to-day pre-
sented more active appearance than for some
time past, and merchants generally are feeling
cheerful over the situation. Prices rule steady
and firm in most departments, fluctuations in
values seldom being as few at the opening of
the year as in 1884 From other commercial
centers reports come much of the same char
acter. The New York Shipping List of the 18th
says of trade: "As draw away from the
starting point the business outlook of the year
before us assumes a more promising aspect
The situation has been greatly strengthened by
the immense liquidation of Indebtedness that
has been accomplished during the past year, and
also by the readjustment of values, which has
brought the various branches of trade and man
ufactures to a common level of safety. The
commercial statistics of the past year furnish
solid reasons for encouragement by supplying the
means of correcting mistaken impressions; and
to the reasons for encouragement afforded by
these statistics may be added the Indications of
a partial revival of confidence already furnished
by the new year Though small firms whose
capital had been dissipated or seriously impaired
by the shrinkage OF values during the last two
years continue to drop out of the ranks, no un-
soundness in business can be discovered. Credits
are carefully conserved, the declining tendency
of prices outside of the speculative arena has ap-
anee of everything, including money. The con-
dition of our foreign commerce is more favorable
than seemed probable twelve months ago. The
home trade promises to be both larger and more
profitable than it was the past year, and for
these reasons: The consumptive capacity OF the
country is all the while increasing, the stocks OF
goods throughout the interior are comparatively
moderate and money among the agricultural
class is represented to be abundant. But while
the country contains the essential elements OF
prosperity, the process of recovery is likely to be
slow. Competition was never so sharp III every
department of trade, and business men will
therefore have to be content with small profits
But now that better feeling exists and conf
dence in valuesis returning, gradual improve
ment in all branches of business may be reason
ably expected as the year wears on.
GRAIN.
Bears are on top, was the general tone of con-
versation among the grain dealers. Bidding on
Change was cautious; transactions few. Wheat
Thoroughly demoraized' about covers the
situation The able bear gets in his work most
beautifully, and by vigorous of teeth and
claws downs quotations several points. Local
markets are dull, lower and weak, with light Of
ferings and light demand; futures friendless and
cash about likewise. The seaboard has suffered
considerably, and EXHIBITS a sharper decline for all
deliveries New York 3-4c off; Baltimore is 1c for
cash and l 3-8c for March, and Chicago in the
same boat going 1-4e lower than on Saturday.
We quote:
No. Mediterranean, track k....-..------....$1 .$106
No. 2 Mediterranean, track k-------.-.----.--. LOB
No. Mediterranean, track 101
NO red track. -----------------.- 3S
No. 9 red, track ..-..--.---.-.-.- So
February, track. 80
march, Ifhch-'.-- A.VL
Corn--Not so much affected as wheat, yet the
feeling is shaky, and some dealers think it won't
be long before it follows the downward tendency
of its sister cereal Local markets exhibit slight
inquiries, but they are confined to small lots.
Arrivals continue light and grading unsatisfac-
tory. Markets at other points all lower,
varying from 1-Sc to 34c, Chicago showing the
greatest decline, being 3-4c lower for February
than on Saturday. We quote;
No. white, track. Observation-Disclosures. 4S
Yellow, track. 4S
High mixed. track 4S
Mixed track. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES 4S
No. 3, track. As
Rejected. track. 46
Unmerchantahe track OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES AZ
Sound ear, track Observation-Disclosures 4S
Oats-Quiet, but prices well maintained under
light receipts. We quote:
No. 3 white. track 35
Mixed track. 34l9
Rye-Quiet; nothing doing.
Bran-Firm; $l3 bid; no sellers.
GRAIN IN STORE.
Inn 10 1894