Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1888-08-17
CONFUSION IN TRADE.
what II. G. Dun 8 Co. Have said About
1888.

The New York correspondent of the
Philadelphia Ledger says.
II notice with interest that among the
first to spring to the defence of his party
against the attacks of Mr. Blaine is Mr..
Calvin S. Brice chairman Of the National
Democratic Committee. Mr. Blaine. in
his Madison Square address on last Friday
night, said. "The year 1887 was pros
porous, and the President at its close
proposed radical change in
the industrial system which
had produced that great prosperity. and
since that day there has been confusion
in the commerce and manufactures of the
United States Mr.. Brice says this
speech was IAN insult to the intel
ligence Of the American people.
and quotes as a REPUTATION of the
above statement the money article
Of the Tribune of the same day. which
said that the trade report showed that
the condition Of trade was equal to that
Of the same time last year Now Mr.
Brice as a railroad owner and Wall street
operator, should have known that Mr.
Blaine was right in saying that there has
been confusion in trade this year What
ever might be his opinion as to whether
the confusion was caused by the Presi-
dent tariff message or not The reports
Of the commercial agents ought to be a
sufficient authority for the accuracy Of
Mr. Blaine's statement Take for in
stance +. q. Dun & CompaRy's weekly
trade reports for this year They tell
story of depression and uncertainty in
trade, and what is more, gives as one Of
the chief causes the agitation Of the
tariff issue. April 9Th they write ''Evi-
~ ftf
ness during the past month. April q
they report The business outlook is
distinctly less favorable Pur-
chases for consumption are so restricted
that almost every important branch of
manufacture feels the check. and the
volume of business outside of New York
is smaller by six per cent, than at
the same time last year, with a decline
Of over 214 per cent at New York ="
May 9TH they state: "But the
facts as they stand disclose an un-
certain state of business, slight improve
ment in some branches. increasing depres-
sion in others, and hesitation and waiting
on all sides June 9th they write
"There is little better feeling in bust
ness circles. though on the whole. trans
actions do not equal those of year ago
The better feeling is due i'm part TO more
seasonable weather also TO a growing i'm
preston that no disturbing changes in
the tariff are likely to be made this year
but more largely to the decided i'm
provement in crop prospects. june 10Th
their diagnosis Of the situation Isl I'm
certainty still prevails and buyers are con
servative, combining their transactions to
Immediate wants in most branches of
business There is uncertainty about the
tariff and its effect upon many branches
of manufacture, about the crops, trans
portation rates, etc. As late as July 8
they write 'All over the country the
inactivity usual at this season appears to
be intensified by special causes; by doubts
regarding the tariff, by war of rates, by
labor disturbances, or by crop uncertain
ties. Since then there has been a clear
and undoubted improvement in general
business. based on the splendid crop pros
poets, and in the belief that Congress
will not consummate any tariff legislation
this year, the Senate probably standing
in the way of the passage Of the Milps
bill. "