Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1888-03-05

ling bond purchases, was designed TO re-
move the monetary uncertainty, an infiu-
ence which affects alltrade and industry.
Whether the enate viii pass tho bill in
its present form is not yet certain. Lower
prices Immediately followed, however,
and the average decline in the stock
market for the week has been about 81
per share. The western railroad wars
and strikes continue to disturb business.
Because of cuts by Canadian lines, the
eastern trunk roads announce a rcduc-
ton of 10 per cent. on east and west
bound rates on March 5, and efforts to
settle the western war were defeated on
Thursday by the 81. Paul. Only partial
revival of traffic or the Burlington road
has been attained. While the earnings
Of the railroads continue to show that Il
large quantity of freight for the season is
IN motion, the rates are dropping,
and expenses on many lines in
creasing. The Pennsylvania advances
wages on western lines 10 per
cent. An important cause OF uncertainty
in many branches of trade is the move
ment to change the tariff. Whether the
proposed changes are deemed desirable
or not, those who think them probable
are, for that reason, moved to defer bust
ness operations. The bill submitted on
Thursday would affect SO many industries
and branches Of trade that individual
| opinions, favorable or ~unfavorable to 1t,
must considerably influence transactions
while it remains pending. 1t comes at a
time when, for other reasons, there is hest
tation in most OF the branches chiefly
concerned, and increases that hesitation.
1t is characteristic of many trades at
present that purchases and operations are,
II f~, o,,A. 800. nNx, a.,a4I,@r t,~>i&1 <~ ..a
ent necessities. In the boot and shoe
trade, which is otherwise excep-
tionally satisfactory, there are some
such indications as to women's and chill
drenis goods. In c~ottons, the recent sign
of hating may be attributed to unusually
large dealings in the past. In the sugar,
| and numerous other trades, the operations
of trusts or other combinations cause un-
certainty. The local business, since the
strikes began to collapse, has been marked
by only hand-to-mouth dealings, in doubt
as to the future output. The prices of
wool are steady, with Ohio at 80 cents,
and buyers have been operating with
some freedom, but any advance has been
resisted, and the effects.o of the proposal to
change duties are rot yet seen. A large
failure in the lumber and salt interests in
Michigan, followed by a remarkable
Surlukhge IN demand, lnuicaIeS
that the prospest in that region is not
wholly %unclouded. elsewhere the iron
trade is hesftating, with somewhat lever
prices at Pittsburg, while Youngstown
works resolve to close unless better rail
rates enable them to meet southern com
petition. In the east the supply increases,
while orders halt. No u~nfayorable indi-
cations appear in reports Of trade or Of
collections in that part Of the country.
Money is everywhere comparatively easy,
though at BostQp and other Important
points it is felt Chat revival OF business
activity would soon be followed by some
pressure. Southern trade is clearly i'm
proving, and there are signs of renewed
real estate activity at some western points.
The treasury had returned by banks ST.
a00, 900 of its deposits during the week,
and in all took in 81, 900, 900 more cash
than 1t paid out. For the month OF. Feb
ruary, the debt reduction was 81, 756, 900,
amost entirely through the increase in
cash on hand, though SO, 600, 00o. was paid
for surrendered bank notes, and the bank
ejaculation diminished $50, 1876, 800. The
volume of trade, represented by payments
through clearing houses. is about az per
cent. larger than last year, outside of
New York, but with noticeable losses at
Boston, Philadelphia Baltimore, Cincin-
matt, and KANSAS City. Business failures
during the last week number 2444, as COM
pared with 2e9 forthe corresponding week
Of last year.,