Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-01-19
CONDITION OF BUSINESS.
Dun Keports Speculation Dull, while
Strikes Cause Trouble.

Dun nCpOHto oPCOahattOh DaAs "h'tO
Strikes Cause Trouble.
With perhaps a little more than the usual
dullness for the first half of january, buzz,
ness still progresses without monetary pres
sure or unusual embarrassments from the
failure Of collections in any part Of the coun-
try. While failures at some points are
numerous, the aggregate is less than for the
corresponding week last year, and complaint
Of collections is much less frequent than
month ago Within thirty or sixty days
payments on large fall purchases
will be required, and some increase in failures
would not be surprising, for the shrinkage in
business toward the end Of last year indicated
that there had been ever-conhdent buying in
some departments. But the new year opens
with less embarrassment from that or other
causes than was reasonably apprehsnded.
Speculative markets are generally duh
which is not a bad symptom for legitimate
trade. Industries are somewhat disturbedby
strikes and by legislative or business uncer-
tainies Shortness of supply and high prices
disturb manufactures at many points, and it
may prove unfortunate for Northern iron
producers that they are just now led by the
temporary stoppage of some furnaces to hold
prices firmly when Southern makers are ef-
fecting contracts at $50 for No. and S16 for
mill iron. In rails thereare no changes; sales
Of bar at 81. 90 at Philadelphia show weakness,
while the nail market is sitter at $2.05. The
unusual prosperity Of cotton manufac-
ture, with fair prices and
a well-sustained demand, has led to demands
for higher wages for spinners, which threaten
to end in a serious strike. At the present
the effect is to hasten purchasers and stiffen
prices The woolen business shows no def
mite Improvement, but it is encouraging to
find that though last years work was most
unsatisfactory the production is estimated at
some of the chief centers only 10 per cent.
less than that of 1886, with decline Of 10 to
| 10 per cent. during the year in average
prices. Other industries are progressing sat-
isfactorily AMI in lead the production of 160,-
900 tons and in copper the production Of 1872
1000 pounds, surpass all previous records.
Reports from the interior present fewer
features of interest than usual, trade being
everywhere quiet or dull, as usual at the sea
son, money being generally easier, with some
tendency of stringency at St Paul Figure:
indicate that the returns of foreign capita
from this country has been considerable dur
ing the past six weeks, and though prices in
the stock market do not, decline movements
+, indicate that foreign investments are not
just now increasing. Breadstuffs have de-
clined a little, corn cent and pork and lard
2 are also alittle lower. Coffee is lower with
speculative reaction, and cotton with sales o
$4,000 bales Oil has risen IA cents, dairy
products are higher and potatoes with ver.
heavy importations.
The business failures during the last sever
days number for the United States 25S am
for Canada 80, OF total of 2Ss, as against "a
last week and 1923 for the corresponding weel
Of 1887.