Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-05-01
COMMERCIAL And FINAN
THE GRAIN TRADE-CROPs, &C.


says:
1.-The past week has been notable one for
its changes in the wheat markets, and sym
pathetically affecting other speculative values.
The strengthening tendency in wheat prices
was helped evidently by something of fright
ON the part of the short interest. but there has
been reaction, although price, close quite
decidedly higher than week ago.
In regard to crops, the week has been def
Gent in moisture IN most of the western dis
tricts. This has not precluded the prepare
ton of land for corn, ETC., and the beginning
of planting in some regions, under favorable
conditions, but moisture is increasingly need
full in most of the winter wheat area to pre-
vent positive impairment of the PROMISE IN
fact in many localities now the condition is
approaching seriousness From Kansas the
than previously.
The oats crop is evidently being retarded
from lack of moisture. Otherwise the condi-
tons are generally encouraging for spring
seeded crops, including North western wheat
but more moisture soon will be essential to
insure good results The season is earlier
than last year in the Northwest, and with
ample moisture hereafter good crops may be
expected. The area in wheat is manifestly
reduced, with increased attention to other
grain, etc.
May wheat at Chicago closed 2sc below the
highest point of the. week. 2sc above the
lowest point and &c higher than week ago.
Corn at Chicago for May closed 15c below
the highest point of the week, 1sc above the
lowest point, and 1sc higher than a week ago
Wheat receipts at primary markets were l..
LA, 900 bushels for the week, against Jos ,0Ot
the preceding week, and 1854 900 last year.
Corn receipts were S45, 900 bushels, against
GIL 900 the preceding week, and 1,754,0O(
last year."
FINANCIAL.
The financial review of Henry Clews Of
April 9th reports decided improvement in
business and increased confidence of foreign
capitalists in American securities, as shown
both in England and Germany. Referring tc
those countries, he says
"Outside their own territorial limits, these
two nations, with their immense annual say
ings, can find nowhere the safety and the
solidity of investment that is afforded by the
United States. Public opinion here has turn
ed in favor of a freer commercial policy; we
have reached point of ability for economi-
cal production which in many departments
surpasses their own industries we are bent
upon a sound reconstruction of our currency
SYSTEM and when the silver question has
been moved out of the path of confidence, we
may count upon ten years of prosperity I'M
equaled in our history. The men who con-
troll the course of investment in Great Britain
and Germany are not ignorant of this out
look; and the probability is that, from this
time forward, they will err not on the side OF
distrust of this country, but from a willing
ness to lend that may tempt us into undue
borrowing.
The restoration of wages, which is gradual
ly going on, is an evidence of not only an i'm.
provement in business, but carries with it the
faith of employers that the change is OF
substantial and permanent character. Such
testimony comes from many mercantile in
terests, especially cotton and wooden factories.
can cite no better corroborative instance
than that of the Washington Mills, which
during the depression about year ago stop
ped their works. which comprised machinery
mile in length. These works are now run
ming night and day to keep up with the orders
for the goods they manufacture. 1t isswell to
note in this connection that the goods of this
mammoth concern are of the finest quality OF
wooden fabrics made in this country, showing
that the present demand represents return
to more extravagant OUTLAWS from a quarter
that has been exercising rigid economy for a
prolonged period. There are larger number
of buyers of goods now in New York than
ever known before in any previous month OF
April Every section of the country seems
to be proportionately represented, and the
buying is on quite an increased scale over