Birmingham state herald., 1896-04-17
MARKETS BY TELEGRAPH.
Cotton Letter.

New York, April 6.-(Specal. )-This was another day of bull manipulation, with the result that prices of May, June, July and August were advanced several points, with a sympathetic but smaller improvement in the fall and winter months. August opened at TIA, receded to TIP, rallied to 7.76 and closed at 7.75@776 with the tone quiet but steady. The accounts of the progress of the planting all over the cotton belt are ex- ceedingly favorable, and the advance in the face of liberal and persistent offerings was only accomplished by the sheer force of buying by those who are interested in forcing an improvement. There Is now not the slightest doubt that there is a combina- ton to make a higher market for the months of this crop. Today proved very conclusively the power of this combination. It is just as well to recognize the fact that it can put up the price of the summer months to any figure it pleases. But such combinations are formed not for their health, but to make money, and in the ab- sence of any considerable short interest 1t is difficult to understand what is to be gained by an artificial rise, which cannot hold moment longer than 1t is supported by those who caused it. Nobody knows who or how many are in the combination or how far 1t proposes to push the advance. In any event the leader is pretty sure to take good care of himself, and if disaster should overtake his small fry following It will be only history repeating itself
 RIORDAN & co.
 Chicago Change.
 Chicago, H.. April 16.-Wheat sold be low yesterdays closing figures today but rested with Ac~ gain. Most of the trading dll for May, which was the final quotation of yesterday. The session was monotonous, scalpers and local traders being responsible for the fluctuations, outsiders being stil prominently not in the market. May wheat opened at 6514@ 1sn6514c. sold between 651s @65h and 66c, closing at 65AQ6a7se, AQasc higher than yesterday Cash wheat was steady.
 ton transpired in corn It might possibly be interesting, however, to note that the holders of calls were presented With an op. portunity of selling to advantage. against their privileges The tirmness when rat caHsea ef this unusual event was conveyed by wheat Very few orders representing outside in- dependent on itself for business. May corn opened at 301sm304c, sold between 30ls and S6asc, closing at 304@3oasc, hc higher than yesterday. Cash corn was quiet ana steady
 Oats declined at any perception of weak ness and rallied when firmnesS was dls- played in wheat and corn, Business was not of the kind that attracts attention and the market moved along without incident May oats closed 1sc higher than yesterday. Cash oats were steady.
 responsibility and weak in consideration or a drop in the hog market. Professionais profess a lack of confidence in the. merits of provisions and the general trade Is with out courage to combat the opinion. Busi- ness was light in volume and unimportant pork were received before the close. the ex- ecution of which caused the commodity 10 advance, but lard and rbs remained m higher than yesterday, May lard 5c lower and May ribs 21a0i5c lower.
 The leading futures ranged as follows: