Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-03-06
COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL
THE GRAIN rRADE-cKoPs. &C.

26th says:
Weather conditions have been on the mild
order the past week, and have fairly inaugu-
rated the trying period for the wheat plant
which is recognized as liable to take shape
about this time in the year. While the re-
turns for the most part continue to indicate a.
satisfactory or promising outlook it is notice
able that enlarging areas are regarded with
more of apprehension under the freezing and
thawing conditions which have recently over
taken the crop in many districts, the snow
covering having disappeared in most regions,
while in other instances the winds had previ-
ously occasioned an exposure of large por-
ton of the wheat fields. There is no occasion
yet for taking dsparaging view of the posi-
ton and outlook. but it is fair to say that
something of deterioration has resulted from
the weather conditions of the recent past and
now being experienced. In Ohio there is not
much complaint; IN portions of Indiana and
Illinois the conditions have been somewhat
more trying, and in Missouri and Kanas in
still more emphatic degree.
While there has appeared to be a little more
movement of wheat recently there is an al
most uniform reference in current correspon-
dence to low supplies of this grain. and what
there is of it is mostly held in hope of better
prices. The previous indications of reduced
holdings of wheat by millers is confirmed.
The specu lative interest in wheat has been
more pronounced the past week, and a fair
advance has occurred, Chicago prices closing
&c higher than week ago. and 2ac above the
low point last week. Quite likely the near
future may see little further improvement.
There is little in the general situation that
does not count more or less favorably for bet
ter values. But so long as the visible stocks
are maintained in exceptionally large volume,
and the few influential spectators can quick
ly effect change to lower prices against an
almost universally long interest otherwise.
there will be doubt as to the permanency of
an advancing tendency of the markets For
eign grain merchants are manlfestly looking
for more confident shaping OF wheat values.
May wheat at Chicago closed &c below the
highest point of the week Ice above The
lowest point, and &c higher than week ago.
Corn at Chicago for May closed &c below
the highest point of the week, lie above the
lowest point, and &c higher than a week ago.
Wheat receipts at primary markets were
/, 39o QUO bushels for the week, against 996, 900
the preceding week, and 10000 last year.
Corn receipts we're 1.676, 900 bushels, against
l,02i00O the preceding week, and $4,000
last year"
FINANCIAL.
The following are extracts from the Finan-
cial Review of Henry Clews of March End
The reopening of an International discus
sion of the silver question, suggested by the
recent utteraDces in the British Parliament
and in the German Reichstag, is hopeful
symptom. 1t is an evidence of the growth of
sentiment in favor of the double standard
among the influential commercial element in
England and the landowl ers and farmers of
Germany. The Governments of both nations
seem to be more disposed to respect public
opinion on this question than they were on
the occasion of the Conference of 1892; and
both countries suggest strong probability
that the whole problem may be reviewed in
the light of later experience. To this coun-
try, nothing could be more welcome than the
revival of chance for the settlement of this
disturbing problem. 1t is significant fact
chat, in the Case of this suggested conference.
the initiation comes from the two nations
that were most opposed to any definite action
at the gathering of 1892. Later experience has
evidently not been lost upon them; and the
prospect of their more cordial cooperation
towards settlement of this problem is new
ray of promise on the horizon. The interna-
rional basis of settlement is the only one that
can afford this country any relief from the
embarrassments that surround this vexatious
issue. Standing alone, tie United States
could undertake free coinage only with the
sure result of being driven into silver mono
metalism; but, in union with the leading
European nations, the experiment could be
surrounded by no such risks.
The cessation of political turmoil for the
next eighteen months will be an invaluable
contribution towards the restoration of bust
ness. For it SO happens that politics are now
occupied with business questions of an excep.
tionally important and delicate nature, and
which go to the root of confidence in nearly
all interests. When business is not in vlgor-
GUS condition, il is especially sensitive to the
discussions and proposals that come up in the
treatment of such questions, and the uncer-
tainties thereby created afford ready excuses
for the postponement of business operations.
How this sort of interruption operates is
shown by the fact that, for many months
past. the business mans first question of
every morning has been-"what was done
Yesterday at Washington Thank heaven!
that sickening reitesation will cease next
Monday; AMI henceforth the first questi IN
will be,-what Is the price of wheat, or cot
ton, or stocks? Tharwili mean much more
for the recovery Of business than is now i'm
asined.