davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-03-11
THE RAILROAD VIEW.
Adverse Legislation. Light Crops
and Other Potent Factors.


Glow is business? DULL" said Gen
eral Manager A. Marvel, of the Mani
toba, as he paused reflectively before
answering such pertinent questioning.
"Our line, in common with other North
western railways, has suffered from
various causes. The crops were bad,
and exerted a potent influence over
passenger and freight receipts. If the
yield is poor there is little grain to be
shipped, and the farmers do not travel.
There is plenty of idle money in the
country, but capitalists are chary of
making investments. and so no new
roads are being built. If construction
were booming the men who would be
employed would have to buy clothing
and other necessaries, but having none
spend none. 1 am hopeful of the out
look for next fall, aud if we have good
crop many of these factors towards
producing SO depressing result will be
wiped out. Adverse legislation has
much to do with the financial condi-
ton of the roads, but the legislators are
always with us. We do not ask for ia
vorable LEGISLATION. We only desire
that august body to be sufficiently leni-
ent to keep us out of the poorhouse."
BLAMES THE I. s. C.
W. M. Hopkins. Assistant General
Freight Agent Minneapolis & st. Louis
RaIlway-The general railroad bust
ness, so far as the actual movement of
traffic is concerned, is light all over the
Northwest, and will venture to say
that there is not road in the North
west which is making any money.
There has been big dropping off In
dividends, and the depression in bust
ness is being generally felt. This is
due, in measure, to the light crops
the wheat and oat crops being almost
total failure, leaving only the corn crop
TO fall back on. The primary cause of
the loss of revenue, in addition to the
light crops, is the marked reduction i'm
rates throughout the country. Since
the interstate commerce law came into
force, the reductions in rates have ag-
gregated nearly 60 per cent in many To-
calities. There will be no change for
the better until there is more business
to do, and until the railroads can get
more money for what they are doing
now. Better results cannot be hoped
for until the general adverse legislation
now going OH all over the country is
changed. Until the railroad companies
are enabled to get better traffic on
their rates, there will be no change.
We anticipate better business than we
are having now, as we do not look for
total crop failure.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-03-11
A WOMAN BUYS STAMPS,
And When She Gets All Ready
She Lets the Line Move Up,

And When She Gets All Ready
She Lets the Line Move Up.
New York World
A long line of people stood in the
postoffice waiting for their turn to buy
stamps. They waited long time.
Every now and then some one in the
line would stick his head forward and
dart an impatient look down to see
what the matter was. Then he would
look at his unstamped letters. Some
body said profane word in an unfeel-
ing way, utterly void Of sympathy.
Generally there was excitement along
the line, of a subdued order, as the peo-
pie fumed and looked and-waited.
What was it? What do you suppose?
of stamps. She had planted herself
close up to the window, and didn't
mean to move until she had got all she
wanted.
"PleaSe see how much that Weighs"
she said, passing i'll letter.
The pOstman lifted it, and as it was a
very light. ordinary letter, passed it
back and said: lone two-cent stamp
'Oh, won't you weigh it, please? 1
should hate to have my aunt have to pay
any postage Oh it,"
The p. m. flung it on the scales. then
tossed it back ana said: Zone two-cent
stamp" rather sharply.
You were right, then, weren't yOu?"
said the woman, pleasantly. She was
fumbling down in the depths of black
velvet reticule to find her money. Then
she stopped and said:
II want stamped wrapper for a
newspaper"
Lone for two, four for five?" asked
the clerk.
Zone for two what?" inquired the
lady.
Zone wrapper for cents, four wrap
pers for five--5 cents" was the sharp re-
joinder.
''Oh, yes! l might have known that
if I'd only stopped to think. Will this
wrapper carry two papers"'
depends on the size of the papers,"
well, never mind. l don't believe 1
want more than one paper sent. You
may give me One."
Then she wrestled with her pocket
book and gave him dollar bill.
Can you write on the newspaper
wrapper?" she asked.
''Oh, write on the devil" muttered a
man four places back, moving i'm
patiently.
She counted her change. Then picked
it up carefully piece by piece. Her
handkerchief had to go in next. Then
she snapped the reticule together. She
didn't move away till it was all done.
Then she moved on, and SO did the
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-03-11
RETAIL is BETTER,
Representative Firms Disposed to
Take Very Cheerful View.

Take Very Cheerful View.
Mannheimer Bros, Dry Goods-The
dizziness in the retail business is the re-
suit the mild winter combined with
bad crops, and any improvement is not
to be expected until there is good
crop. The business of the winter
caused very small sale of heavy dry
goods, such as blankets, but the sale of
ordinary staples has shown little or no
falling off. The absence of an ice pal
ace this year has also caused much less
money to be spent than in former
years, the building and maintenance of
the crystal palace causing the distribu-
poorer classes, besides causing an influx
of outsiders, all of whom leave more or
less money. However, if there are
good crops this year business will be
very good.
AND MINNEAPOLIS ALSO.
s. E. Olson, Dry Goods Merchant
The present business situation. from
our point of view, is serene and full of
encouragement. The metropolis and
commonwealth seem to be emerging
from an era of depression more ominous
and far-reaching than has been gener-
ally understood or admitted. This con-
Nioioii VI wac Nv
OVERRIDING and overtrading in the PAST.
While spectators and adventures
were turning in this direction-men
with little or no means, that overconfi-
dent and Overzealous class who imagine
themselves capable of accomplishing
what others have found impossible:
that class who are always trying
to bore large auger holes with
a gimlet, business of all kinds
was over stimulated, values in many in
stances became fictitious, profits in diff
ferent ventures Overrated and I'M
stable.
That general panic was not precipi-
tated is due to the confidence had in the
future of this locality by the solid men
at home and abroad. Thanks to the
California boom, it rid us largely of
this "Col. Sellers" class, and now we
are gradually getting back to hard pan.
We have also lost, in part, Immigration
and Legitimate investors in the past year
or two, which has contributed to the re-
action and depression of that period.
Then again we have had the periodical
''off year, which the quadrennial presi-
dental election is supposed to carry
with IT.
We may now look for general re-
turn of confidence settling over the
whole land, period of commercial
financial expansion, beneficent effects
of which will be felt here as much as
anywhere in the Union. The change
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-03-11
IN JOBBlNG LINES.
Waiting for Good CrOps---Col1ec-
tions POor---Spring Trade Will
Brighten.

Waiting for Good CrOps---COl1ec-
tiOns POOr---Spcing Trade Will
Brighten.
Ii. G. Burbank, of the st. Paul
Clothing Jobbing firms. said:
"Speaking for ourselves, our spring
trade shows an increase from Jan. l to
March /, 1889, over last year, of over IS
per cent. We do not attribute this in
crease, however, to better condition
Of the country from which we derive
our trade, especially Minnesota and
Dakota. We are simply reaching out
further and arc getting more trade from
Montana and beyond to the Pacific
coast. The condition and trade pros
poets for Minnesota and Dakota we do
not consider as good as last year. The
wheat crop in Dakota was very light,
IN many localities almost total failure.
The decrease in railroad building has
also affected them greatly; therefore,
their resources for bringing money into
the country being largely cut off. con-
sentative merchants will buy very light
for spring trade. The fall trade, of
course, will have to be determined later,
when we can judge of the crop pros
poets.
Minnesota we consider in much better
condition generally than Dakota; at the
same time not in as good condition as
last year. The wheat crop was also
light, and far below the average; but
other cereals, we think, were fully up
to an average crop, and the prices were
fair. Live StOck-that is. fat cattle
has been very low, which cut down
what would otherwise have been a
pretty large revenue IN many localities.
The absence OF railroad building has
also had its effect upon this state, and
in the timbered localities, where the
getting out and selling of railroad ties
trade, he has felt it quite seriously.
Also, the sale of wood has been very
much reduced, in consequence of our
unusually warm winter. Collections
are not very good: we shall look for an
improvement, however, when spring
opens, and business puts on its accus-
toned activity.
THE SAME AT MINNEAPOLIS.
Ell. ii. Eliel, of the Eliel Wholesale
Drug Company-The jobbing trade, l
am sorry to state, is not at all satisfac-
tory in any business, but certain
branches are suffering vastly more than
others. The output is light, compare
lively speaking, and then collections are
very poor. Money matters are stringent.
and the general outlook is bad. Nearly
every one is complaining more or less.
One of the causes of this depression is
that the crops generally have been
short, and in some eases total failure.
Business depends upon the producing
classes to large extent, and when they
are not, by force OF circumstances, con-
sumers to any great extent, all branches
of business must suffer. So far as any
improvement in the general jobbing
business is concerned, we need look for
none until good crops are assured. Then
we can depend on it that business of all
kinds will brighten up materially. Until
that time all business must necessarily
be transacted in a very conservative
way IN order to escaye any impending
disaster.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-03-11
THE DIRT OUTLOOK GOOD.
But the Foundations of Trade and
Manufactures Must Be Kent I'm.

But the Foundations of Trade and
Manufactures Must Be Kept Up.
E. S. COrser, the prominent real estate
man of Minneapolis, said: 1.-The stu
alton in the real estate market seems to
me substantially this: On the whole,
we have very quiet market, and the
marked feature Is dizziness. There is
some inquiry for good inside property,
and very general neglect of the out
side acres. Values in inside property
are well maintained. but to realize to
any large extent holders would have to
make large concessions. do not con-
slider the situation bad or unhealthy
condition, but, on the whole, natural
and necessary. From 1879 TO 1887 we
had, together with phenomenal
growth, a continuous and very sharp
advance in values. Our growth was
stimulated by the demand for labor i'm
the erection of new buildings and gen.
eral city improvements. Another
large increase of our population
SONS who have come here with
a general idea of lettering their, condi-
ton in this growing, money-making
city-one with no definite purpose of
any business which Of itself should add
to the wealth af the city. In this man.
ner. during the last eight or ten years,
our Increase in population has largely
exceeded our growth in wealth pro-
ducers. Like tree in the moist, warm
season. we have produced too much
green wood, which must have a period
Of rest to harden up before making any
more healthy growth. AS to how long
period will be required is matter of
very indefinite conjecture. Probably
We shall have one dull season, and we
may have several more. This feature
Of the growth of all cities is so marked
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-03-11
Business Men Give Good Rea-
sons for the Present Stag
nation in Trade.
Money Is Very Tight, and the
General Outlook Is
Bad.
No Improvement Is Looked
For Until Good Crops
Are Assured.
The Depression More Serious
and Far-Reaehing Than
Is Understood.

Why are the times "hard?" What
makes business "dull?'' The GLOBE
has gathered a series of opinions on this
very interesting topic, the consensus Of
which tends almost unanimously to-
ward the mild winter. What a surprise
this must be to our Eastern and South
ern friends who have congratulated US
upon our inability TO build an ice pal
ace. The record Of years bygone shows
the greatest prosperity in business
circles when the thermometer had its
most sullen moods. and although there
may have been more suffering. there
certainly was more money in circulation
and more business to cheer the mer-
chants. If you don't believe the para
doX, read the following expressions Of
opinion:
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-03-11
New York Produce.

New YORK, March 9.-Flour-Re
9ceipts 1868 packages: exports 1,065
-bbls, 4,751 sacks; dull, heavy, in
stances 10c lower; sales, II, 100 bbls.
Corn meal quiet; steady; yellow west
aern. s2.50@3.9O. Wheat-Receipts 1850
bu;s exports none; sales $4,000 blu
futures: 5000 spot. Spot market dull;
15@$4c lower: No. 2 red, 9411a995s4c
elevator: 967sc atioat; 951s997c +. o. b.;
99c. Options dull; 5s@7sc lower; weak;
No. 2 red March, closing 94ssc; April,
9515@95slc, closing 9515c; May, SO 11-16
@971sc. closing 9634c: June, 971s@
9715c; closing 9715c; July. 9411sGD9411ac,
closing 949ssc; August, 9l1s@9114c. clos
ing 917sc; December, 935s@952Sc, clos
ing 93%c. Rye quiet: western, 5l@53c.
Barley quiet. Barley malt dull.
Corn-ReceIptS. 1000 bu; exports, $40
blu; sales, $4,000 blu futures, $1,000 blu
spot; spot market dull and weaker;
No. 2, 44@441sc elevator, 450457sc
afioat; No. 2 white, 45c; No. 3, 1880
4314c; ungraded mixed, 42@44Ac;
steamer mixed, 42%(0443sc: options dull
and easier; March, 4414@443sc, closing
at 1850; April. 4422sc; May, 4375s@44c,
closing at 1890; June, 4323l94313sc, clos
ing at 1870. Receipts, $4,000 bu;
CApol GSs OVo Ou odiCS, oJ,oOV uu lutuiOS.
$4,000 bu spot: spot market firm and
quiet; options steady aud quiet; March,
31slc; April, 31@313sc. closing at 313sc;
May, SLICE; No. 2 spot, white, $3.50
3315c; mixed Western, 30@33c; white
Western, 34@39c: No. 2 Chicago, 32c.
Hay firm; good demand; shipping. Csc;
good to choice, S5(035c. Hops, firm; quiet.
Coffee-OptiOns opened steady, 5@25
points up; closed barely steady, un-
changed to points up from yesterday;
sales, 10000 bags, including March,
17.15@17.2Oc: April. 17.05@17.20c; May,
17.10G017.25c; June, T.15G17.35c: July,
17.S0@17.45c: August, f7.40(917.50c; Sep
TENDER, 17.50@l7.70c; October, 1860
17.75c; November, 17.60@l7.S0c; Decem-
Der, 17.70@17.S5c: January, 17.S0c: spot
Rio less firm; fair cargOes. 19c. Sugar
Raw strong refined firm, fair demand.
2214c; New Orleans quiet; open Kettle.
firm; domestic. 45l@63sc; Japan. 800
BIC. Petroleum quiet but steady; crude
in bbls. Parker's. 7.25c: refined here,
7.15c; Philadelphia and Baltimore,7 rose;
United closed at 808c. Cotton seed Oil
steady; crude, 42@43c; yellow. 4sc.
Iallow steady. quiet; sales IN
city, 4115c. Rosin steady and quiet;
strained, common to good, $1.1561.171s.
Turpentine barely steady, 5114@5l19c.
Eggs steady; western, 14&c: receipts,
,5.122 packages. Pork firm. Cut meats
quiet; picked bellies, 10 pounds aver
age.b5sc: picked shOulders,5ssc ;pickled
hams, 9M@l0e. Lard steadier: quiet:
sales, western steam, $3.50; city, $685.;
March, s7.25: April, S7.29; May, 1888,
closing at s7.29; June, T.31; July, 1916,
closing at S7.32; August, s7.37, closing
s7.s6. Butter steady: fair demand;
western dairy, 12@2lc; western cream
cry, 1s@23c; Elgins, 29@2915c. Cheese
quiet; steady; western, 9l5@1}4c. Pig
iron firm; quiet. Copper offered more
freely: only nominal bids; awaiting fur
ther, developments; lake, March. 1928.
Lead dull; firm: domestic, S3.75. Tin
quiet; steady; straits, $3.50.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-03-11
HERE Is BRIGHTNESS.
Manufacturing Is Brisk and the
Outlook Very Good.

Secretary Hall. of the Minneapolis
Board of .Trade-The manufacturing
business of Minneapolis, and in fact of
the whole Northwest. is in most
fiourishing condition. The outlook now
is better than it ever was before, and
several large companies are making ar
engagements to come here. This spring
will see large increase in the manu-
featuring business here, tor the reason
that there is demand for it. One
business brings another, and helps our
city in every way.
THE ST. PAUL VIEW.
FOote. SchulZe & Co., Boots and
Shoes-The mildness of the winter,
combined with the failure of last years
crops, has had tendency to make the
farmers and lumbermen hard up. This
has reacted upon the retail stores of the
country, and has made collections SOW
and sales comparatively small. A mild
winter in Minnesota is the reverse of
beneficial to the poor man, as it leaves
so many without employment: and dur
ing this winter we have had many men
come into our Office and ask for work
at so cents day. This shows a tight
ness of money all around. If this year
produces a good crop, business will pick
up: but we shall have to wait for good
crop before any marked improvement
can be looked for.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-03-11

vance of small fraction, only followed
by much steadinesS and fair business.
Toward the middle of the session there
was sharp break, with fair trading at
the decline. The opening was at BLOB
to S1.031s. and continued steady with
small range until after IL O'clock, after
which it sold quickly down to S1.01, and
later declined still lower. The country
movement was steady at the recent
shrinkage in farm movement. Sample
sellers found it no easier to sell milling
wheat than during the past week. In
fact, Saturday brought its custom
airy dizziness, and in the democrat
lied state Of the market for future deliv-
cry wheat millers have been buying
only to satisfy their most pressing
needs. Early in the day prices were
but little below yesterday on grade
wheat, but the break in May wheat
threw the sample market into disorder
again. No. northern was offered late
in the session at 81 .g2 without attracting
bids. Trading was duh to the close
and sales were small in amount. Re-
ceipts were 145 cars with 93 shipped.
Local elevators stocks are expected to
lncr ase $4,000 bu for the week. Car lot
sales by samples cars No. l hard in
store, S1.1O; 3 cars No. northern, s1.02;
80 CaiS No. HOItilcTu, 81, D ears NO. L
northern, Sl.O3; 9 cars No. northern
o. W. b., Sl.06; cars No. l northern f.
o. b., $1.0S119;4 cars No. l northern,
S1.03; cars No. northern,
81; 2 ears No. northern, choice, 81;
2 cars No. northern, 95c; 2 cars No. 2
northern, 92c; 2 ears No 2 northern, 95c;
4 cars No. northern, f. o. b., 93c; 2 cars
No. 3, soc; 2 cars No. 3, Sue; cars No
5. delivered, 90c: 3 cars No. 3, SEE; Gears
rejected, delivered, SSc; Q cars rejected.
use; 2 cars no grade. 7O1ac: 2 cars
sample. 75c; 2 cars sample, S1.1O: 3 cars
sample. 9Uc; 2 cars sample, $l.10; 2 cars
sample. 75c; 2 cars oats, f. o. b., 24c; 2
cars oats, t. o. b., Csc; 2 cars No. Q oats
choice. use; car oats to arrive, 261&c; |
car screenings. $3.50.
THE LOCAL MARKETS IN Def ALL.
Following are the dosing quotations ::
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-03-11

maa not be immediate, but all the more
sure and wholesome for that. A new
administration of national affairs has
just been installed, backed by party
who has the confidence of the nation as
its support, that will in no small degree
aid in the restoration Of good times.
There is no stringency of the necessary
wherewithal. On the contrary, there
is plethora of money in the national
treasury and in the banks. What is
needed to have these idle millions seek
Investment is confidence that values
offered as collateral and the avenues
opened for development are real and
sure of yielding profitable returns.
Such an era, think, now lies before
US. Minneapolis and her unrlvaled en-
yironments should share in this ''better
day" now dawning to the fullest ex-
tent, and all legitimate enterprises
within her borders will be benefited in
proportion to their respective merits.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-03-11

as to have become law. Periods of
unusual growth and promise are sure to
he followed by comparative quiet, verg-
ing generallyon stagnation, and in many
cases by serious depression. If it we're
not SO, we should continue to initiate
values into the clouds and repeat the
Dutch tulip mania. Such is not far
from the present condition of imitation
in some parts of the West, especially on
the Pacific coast. Very fortunately for
Minneapolis, it may be shown that so
far as our inside property is concerned.
our current values are inside the dan-
ger limit and are fully justified in CON-
parison with any other city III Onr
country. This fact, taken in connec-
ton with the past history of our city
and its unlimited possibilities Of future
growth. gives ground for confidence,
rather than apprehension. 1t must,
however, be borne in mind, that cities
do not live by faith without works.
Unless we have an increase and
strengthening of our wealth-prO-
ducing factors-manufacture and
trade-and especially manufactures.
we shall wait long and in vain
for an active real estate market. The
situation calls for work. The walls of
Jericho do not fall nowadays at the
blowing OF lfumpetS, anu inc return Oh
advancing values-whether it comes in
one year or in five--Will have to be
preceded by united and persistent work
in building up our foundations. Those
who expect prosperity to follow our
persistent blowing of horns and shout
ing 'Great is Minneapolis" will be dis
appointed, and presumably the present
period of dizziness will continue until
the sh0uterS have become somewhat
hoarse and exhausted"
ST. PAUL VERY HOPEFUL.
William NJ. Bushnell, of the firm OF
Bushnell & BUSHNELL said:
Though just at the moment business
appears to be quiet. large amount of
money is changing hands, as is shown
by the real estate transfers and build
ing permits for the first two months of
this year, being double what they were
for the corresponding period of last.
The outlook for the year is very bright,
as Eastern capitalists are drawing their
money out of tluctuating railway stocks
and putting it into Western mortgages,
which never depreciate in value, and
pay good interest. There are now nearly
S250O0,000 in st. Paul banks seeking in
veStment. The shortage of last years
crops has affected business to some eX-
tent, but the outlook in st. Paul is very
good and is increased by the admission
of the territories, all of which are di-
rectly tributary to US here"
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-03-11
The Minneapolis Produce SuppIier,
POI Washington Avenue North.
MINI.
LIVE STOCK.
Minnesota Transfer.

The market at Minnesota Transfer
yesterday was steady. The receipts
were two cars of cattle and one car of
hogs. There was a better demand for
butcher stock than for several DAYS
past, but the market may be considered
dull, and will probably not improve to
any great extent for few weeks. This
is always about the quietest time of the
year, and dressed beef figures in strong
competition at present, which makes
prices low and keeps away the best
stock from the markets. Hogs are in
good demand. There is also strong
inquiry for stock hogs. Good mutton
sheep and lambs bring as good prices as
in any market in the country. Sales
were: