The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-15

Enforced Uncertainty Covers the Mercantile
Situation In a Nutshell.

Enforced Uncertainty Covers the Mercantile
Situation In a Nutshell.
INDIANAPOLIS. April Ia.
The indianapolis Grocer aptly Says: ''The
whole mercantile situation is grouped in one
sentence-enforeed uncertainty From week
to week the volume of trade differs but little It is
not overestimating matters to say every mer-
chants disappointed Doubtless much of the dull
ness in trade is due to the unreasonable weather
Still the reasons are many and widespread
Weakness of credit is not so common a thing as
when the new year was dawning; species of
wholesale liquidation by the quick process of
assignments then at its zenith, and the
timid were quick to break for cover
under the impression a panic was impending;
it was only scare; there was neither panic
nor Encouragement; but the country realized
its narrow escape, and from that day a riglu
investigation of schemes for alleged money
hatching-a close scrutiny of commercial paper
and a scaling of accounts, has gone forward
with undertaking steadiness. What the growing
year may have In prospective is full of prob
lens. What it has for now is not sufficient
to give freshness and snap to the daily routine
of bread and butter making. Is 1885 to be the
turning point! Are we to feel new blood flow
ing through the arteries of trade, reviving and
refreshingl These are questions which all may
ask but none can answer not even the statistical
genius with his flock of numerals and his apti-
tude for proving everything to dead GER
tainty II he hits, he is famous if it is miss as
it generally is, he is mute as post and drops
into oblivion. The markets are nearly change
less The same may be said truly of sugar. which
has been repeated for weeks; the raw overplus is
still barrier to growth in prices, and refined
is away back to the lowest point it has
touched in many months. Even coffees, which
rose by the power of questionable Rio news are
dormant it is safe to say there has not been, in
quarter, a single valid excuse for the rise In
cofees. The pepper speculation went under,
and it is weak. Prunes. sold to arrive at 4sc in
New York. can be bought now at cents by the
cask in large job lots; raisins dull and un-
steady; currants are very cheap, and will COM
mand an important order movement later in the
season There is but light trade in oils. The
fish market is strong, and dealers are free buy
ers at price admitting of extra profit for the
owner. Salt has dropped; it can be bought here
in car lots at So cents. Beans are dull and job
bers are fairly we'll supplied, The most active
really, are the produce markets. Eggs, butter
and poultry are selling we'll at firm prices. The
demand for potatoes apples, onions and cabbage
is good; prices strong at quotations The pro-
vision market is shaping up somewhat, war
news apparently being the stimulant.
GRAIN.
'sStrong markets covers the situation The
Board Of Trade Price Current says of wheat: AS
the mutterngs of war in the far-off East grow
more pronounced and angry, local markets show
their sympathy by continuing topush quotations
upward. Buyers feel their way cautiously as
they advance their bids, while sellers hold stock
far out of all immediate reach. Light receipts
make active trading difficult and we note good
demand for all cash deliveries. Futures not
handled We quote:
NJ. o Mad;+arrapaan 90
No Mediterranean o. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 90
No 2 red o. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 9Sle
No. red O. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 81
Rejected o. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS so