New-York tribune., 1885-02-16
ruffianism and brutality are positively encour-
aged by the lenency they meet in the courts
MONEY IND BUSINESS

With scarcely an exception, last weeks
markets were dull and uninteresting. In tne
stock market, sixty stocks are worth an average
of S47 so; at the close on the previous
Saturday the same stocks averaged $46 81, anu
at the close of January $4s II. In the cotton
market the last week was pronounced about the
dullest ever known a small breeze caused by
the Bureau report influenced the market about
half day and it then relapsed. Wheat closed
lust as 1t did n week ago, corn about l cent
higher, aud oats 3s higher, but the TRANSACTIONS
have been almost without feature; little
scarcity of corn for immediate delivery hf.ed
the price toward the close, and rumor that
somebody had actually bought a little wheat
for export caused q small advance one day,
which was quickly lost Iron has been as dull
AS ever, and in spite of the cheering announce
ments by the Association many makers begin
to look for lower prices still refined bar sells
at 81 80, nails at 50 10, and steel rails at s3I.
Tin has been a shade stronger, and lead ard
copper shade weaker, without any feature OF
note in either. Oil relapsed into stagnation
again after the small furry on Saturday the
7th. and closes at 20 cents Lard closes at the
same price, 7.30, as n week ago, with mess pork
only 20 cents barrel higher. Sugar molasses
and coffee are unchanged. with Japan tea tor
March a shade lower at 23l4 cents. Butter and
cheese have been dull and weak.
Thus the remarkable stagnation which has
been the only noteworthy feature of the specu-
lative markets for some time continues without
any relief The interruption of many railways
by snow. particularly ut the West, has checked
general trade, but the speculative markets have
long ceased to have any dscOverable connection
with the legitimate business OF the country, and
now are losing vitality and interest as betting
shops. This il the more noteworthy because,
in nearly all circles where the prospects OF
legitimate business have due consideration,
better and more hopeful feeling pervalls. This
is distinctly traccable to political causes 1t Is
reported that vigorous effort is to be made by
the coming President and Mr.. Tilden's friends
to secure a suspension OF silver coinage, ana the
near approach of the close of the session gives
assurance that neither by tariff legislation nor
by commercial treaties Is the Industry OF the
country likely to be disturbed this year. All
reasonable men feel that there will be much
greater ground for hopefulness il the country
can be free from apprehension rs to the tarIff
and as to the silver question. But there is still
much reason to doubt whether the danger from
silver coinage will be removed at this session of
Congress.
The payment of about 100000 in silver
certificates to the Clearing House early last
| week has not been followed by any other Offers
of the same sort, but the report of the Treasury
| on the 10th, in answer to resolution of inquiry
passed by the House, states that silver certlii-
| Gates will be again 40 used whenever the state
| of funds in the Treasury may require it," IL IL
natural to infer that the state OF the funds In the
| Treasury last Monday did not require 1t, as no
such payment has been made since. Neverthe-
| less there has been noteworthy decrease since
February / in the proportion OF silver certIh-
| Gates received ut New York. For fourteen
| DAYS of February the amount was only
81, $40, 600 out OF total customs receipts
amounting to Si,672, ,233-about 80 per cent,
instead of per cent in January. During the
| past week there has been substantially no
| change in the amount of gold owned by the
| Treasury while il holds about 100000 more
| silver, the amount of silver certificates out
| standing having meanwhile decreased
81 100000 within the last week, and
| 81, SOC, 900 since the first of the month. While
: this il encouraging enough, 1t IL 10 be remcm-
bercd that nothing except repeal or suspension
| OF the coinage act afford any lasting relief.
IL is reported that Messrs. Barnum and Scott
represent at Washington Mr.. Tilden and MIR.
Cleveland in Efforts for proper legislation, and
express great hopes Of success.
For the first time since about October | there
appears substantial decrease in the amount Of
reserve held by the banks of this city. Owing
to a considerable expansion in loans at the same
time, the decrease in surplus reserve amounts
to s? $4,000. But it is still higher than Oh
the 10Th of January, or at any previous date in
the history of the banks, and an opportunity 10
employ with safety much larger part of the
money now lying idle would bc very welcome.