The Saint Paul globe., 1896-12-10
BIG FELLOWS BULLS
PROFESSIONAL STOCK TRADERS
WORKED FOR AN ADVANCE IN
QUOTATIONS.
DETERlNED BEAR DRIVES
FOLLOWED BY SPELLS WHEN
COVERING WAS THE GENERAL
RULE.
CLOSE WAS AT FRACTIONAL GAINS.
Sugar Shares Figured for Third
of the Total Dealings of the
CLOSE WAS AT FRACTIONAL GAINS.

NEW YORK, Dec. although the stock
market failed to show any important in
crease in the volume of business, the pro-
fessionals worked for the bull side and i'm
parted a degree of spirit to the trading in
some instances. There were intervals Of pro
nounced dullness, however owing to the lack
of outside interest, and business was uneven
ly distributed. Sugar figured for one-third Of
the total dealings. London distributed con-
unued selling orders, and at some stages of
the session, determined drives were made
against prices, which, in turn were succeed
ed by spells of covering, so that closing
prices were slightly above yesterdays level
The street was Influenced by various Wash
lngton dispatches, suggesting developments
OF Importance; but as rule leading inter
ests were disposed to act with caution, pend
Ing definite news. The gas stocks were quite
prominent In the days trading Consolidated
which has been conspicuous for some little
time past, owing to its sensational fuctua-
tons, and the frequent varying reports re-
garding the gas interests generally. broke 31b
per cent to 1551s, ostensibly on continued
rumors Of impending legislative attacks and
the charter secured by an opposition com
pany. The stocks rallied sharply in sympa-
thy with the general market in the after
noon, but sagged again near the close Bav
oers, which were attended by gossip suggest
I've OF an early adjustment of the company,s
troubles Chicago Gas suffered from realiza-
uons, and Laclede Gas, preferred, dropped
per cent to 6S on liquidation. General Eiec-
tric advanced IA on good buying, induced by
expected largely increased business. as re-
suit OF impending changes of motive power
Dy several important transportation lines.
An encouraging feature was noteworthy in
curry Tor gilt-edged stocks and bonds for in
Veslment. Sugar developed considerable ami
matlon around l o'clock on various reports
ana large blocks of the stock were bought
causing an advance of Ia per cent 10 1i7A
The improvement was almost entirely dua 70 r.
covering. Hooking Valley rose 2 per cent.
Long Island was traded in at "a but subse-
quent offers of the stock were made at 20
with the closing bid at 45. After the close of
various rumors that had been in Circulation
unIavorably affecting the property. Realiza-
uons lnnuenced some recessions from the hest
prices IN the late dealings, but the closing,
though dull, was firm in tone
The bond market continued TO disnlav
tendency upward, on investment orders. but
the volume OF business was. considerably be-
low the recent average. Sales were 81. .299 900.
The gains ranged from 16D215 per cent The
dechnes extended from to per cent the
ernments gained fractonally on purchases
aggregatlng $50 900. Silver certificates rose
1s per cent to 6512, on dealings of $S5, 600.
1he total sales of stocks today were 1879 217
900; Chicago Gas, $500; Consolidated Gas
$500; General Electric, 5000; Reading 16 300;
Rock Island, 400; st. Paul 800; Western
Union, 1890; silver certificates, 5000
The following were the fluctuations Of the
leading railway and industrial stocks, as fur
nished by Charles H. F. Smith & Co., mem
bers of the New York stock exchange and Chi
cago board of trade;