St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-12-19
DULL AND NARROW.
Such Was the Principal Feature
OF the Wall Street Market.

New YORK, Dec 1S.-The stock market to-
day showed no change in its general charac-
terlstlcs from those OF the previous few days.
being dull and narrow. but Withal firm TO
strong, and the final changes OF the day,
Wnlle somewhat irregular and generally for
1racuonal amounts only. are, i'll most cases in
the direction VI higher figures. One of the
most prominent features of the market at
present is the ease with which it advances on
light purchases. This strength at pres
ent is due to variety of causes,
but chiefly, to the fact that the
directors of the various railroads are acting
promptly in voting Tor the new agreement,
and SO far no opposition to it has developed
IN any direction. The announcement that
the caucus of the Republican senators in
Washington had agreed on conservative
financial measures added materially to the
feeling of confidence this morning, and bank
ers here consider that If these measures be
passed great deal OF gold that has been
Wlthheld from the market will be returned to
1t: The room traders continue to resist the
advance, however, and the short interest in
many stocks is now very large, which takes
advantage of every little opportunity to make
a point against the market. and this morn
ing because London failed to respond fully
to our rise of last evening and came
lower, the opening was made at declines of
from 10 to SS per cent generally with special
losses OF per cent in Pacific Mail and lis
III Louisville q Nashville. The former was
only natural reaction after the sharp up
ward movement of yesterday. but the latter
was artificial, and in sympathy with the
lower London prices. The market however,
rallied from the first sales. and there was
good, though light buying throughout the
entire day, which kept prices moving almost
steadily in the upward direction, notwith-
standing the special drives at Rock Island,
Atchlson aud Laekawanna. There are bear
points out to sell Atchison on the story tina
the company is cutting rates by new device.
Rock Island was hurt by rumors that the next
dividend would be passed, and the depres-
SION OF the stock was aided by the selling
down of the collateral trust fives from 9S to
95A, almost all of which was afterward re-
covered. Lackawanna reached its highest
price for some time. but was afterward
raided and all the improvement was lost with
something in addition. the stock closing at
Its lowest figure. In the final rally Missouri
Pacific was conspicuous, and all the gran
gers made material gains, but the early losses
prevented any marked final advances. The
close was dull but firm at close to the best
figures. The final changes of note are only
two-a loss of Ia in Atchison and a gain of
like amount in Jersey Central. Railroad
BONDS bonds were quiet, and, although the
made a great deal of business, the
aggregate was small owing to the peculiar
tactics of the sellers, which was to make
lower prices and not to get rid of their hold
ingS The total sales were onlv 81 OBS 600
The general market was steady and the final
changes of note are few. Ontario g. Western
5s rose 2 to 90; Northern Pacific terminals
to los, and Toledo, Ann Harbor & Grand
Trunk lists to 9S Government bonds have
been dull and steady to firm. State bonds
have been dull and steady. Petroleum opened
firm. and after declining Ac in the early
trading, then moved up 34c on easy Western
buying, after which the market became dun
and remained so at the close. PENNSYLVANIA
Oil-Spot opening at 63s4c; highest 64lsc;-
lowest, 6384c; closing at 641sc; January op
ton opening at 65c; highest, 65I2c; lowest
6lS4c; closing at 6512c; Lima oil, no sales
total sales. &C. 600 bhls