St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-08-13
COMMERCIAL.

ST. PAUL, Aug. 13.-ln making a commerclal
retrospect of the past week the first thing TO be
done is to 90 into the dry detail of figures sup
piled by the carrying trade as these in measure
supply basis upon which approximately accu-
rate estimate can be built of the great bulk Of
commercial business transacted for the week
Tedious and laborioGs these figures are they
are not without interest to those who have had
no opportunity OF judging Of the extent OF
q commercial city's mercantile transactions. The
total number OF cars shipped into the city laden
with goods of all kinds for the week ending
August II, was 1,93s, and for the week previous
2,014, being 70 cars less for the week under re-
view The shipments were 1,170 cars, against
1,3a2 for the previous week, or 1872 cars less.
closer inspection will show that the decrease
in receipts was not in merchandise but in
cats feed, stone, coal, railroad material, ETC.
Receipts of merchandise by rail footed up 49,
900 600 lbs, and by boat 100000 lbs more, max
ing a total of merchandise received Of
IL, 99O, 600 lbs, while the receipts of
the week ending August 5. were by rail and boat
II 900, coo lbs, making the receipts for the week
ending under rsview just 100000 pounds
more. The shipments by rail were for each week
II, 1926, 900 pounds; the shipments by boat were
insignificant, being only 10000 lbs. against ESQ,
600 lbs for the former week. These figures show
that the shipments of merchandise in bulk were
nearly alike for the two weeks, but the express
packages for the week just passed, were con
sideraby in excess of those of the previous week,
AMI in the aggregate the bnlk Of merchandise
sent out Of the city was larger
than that OF the previous week.
Going the rounds of the jobbing houses every
day during the past week and noting the piles Of
packages for shipment it is easy TO judge
whether business is brisk or slower without con
sulting the shipping clerks books or interview
ing the merchants, and such observation has
led 10 the conclusion that grocery houses and
jobbers in drapery at least have done better
business during the past week,
Groceries during the week past have been
quite active and there has been quite percept
ible squirt in business. Orders have not only
been more numerous bnt larger, swelling
the volume of trade considerably.
The market generally is firm, except sugars,
which have suffered another slight depreciation,
but it is thought that bottom prices have ut last
been reached and that before many days there
will be a reaction. Provisions very firm and
rule higher. The scarcity of hams is becoming
felt and no doubt there will De another advance
shortly Teas and coffees are steady. For the
former ST. Paul is as good market, If not bet
ter than New York; the leading houses here
import the choicest brands of the new crop
via the Northern Pacific at less
freight expenses than can the New York merch
ant The boot and shoe trade still remains quiet
and dull Orders for fall goods dropping in,
but not very thick and heavy, Prices are un-
changed Leather is steady and firm, with brisk
demand for harness feathers, which are little
sitter Manufactured iron and steel are very
quiet: no heavy orders are received by the job
bling houses, but there has been good quiet
business in small bundles for smithing; prices
are firm The general hardware business is
rather quiet just now, with the
market about steady. Some of the mills
have closed down, which fact has tendency to
strengthen the market. There are no changes
in price lists to record. Drugs and druggists
sundries have been in good demand with steady
market; prices current are unchanged. Linseed
oils are again down &c and lard oils higher;
carbons have declined &c; window glass and
glaziers' materials are steady Dry goods have
been picking up during the past week, each day
showing steady increase In trade, mostly from
the men on the road. Personal
BUYERS have been a little more numerous
mostly being near by buyers, The ''drummers''
find better disposition in country merchants
to look at fall goods and order heavier dOmestics,
woolens, dress goods and cloakings. There are
no novelties TO mention besides those to which
attention was called last week. There few
changes in piece lists, all of which in favor of
the purchaser. Among them are cambrcs down
t4c SFruit OF the Loom, four quarter Lions
dale and some other bleached cottons. Other
goods are steady. There has been considerable
picking up in the lumLer trade. There
has not been any change in ditIerentials, and
lumbernen are still smarting under the yezatiods
discrimination against st. Paul in favor Of Chi
cago, and desire has been expressed by them to
ioin The board of trade and the JObbers' union in
a united protest against the infection The
prices current have been revised and a general
mark down has been made. The following tables
have been carefully corrected up to date: