The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-11-14

W w ~nahEe In Any Lines
Large Orders In Dry Goods
Prospects OF Advance I'm Refined
Boots and Shoes Collections
Generally quite Free.
The condition OF the local iobbins trade Of
81 Paul Is fairly represented by the follow
ing summary of news expressed by the lead
ing merchants in the specific lines mentioned
a. the eioSe OF last week:
DRY GOODS.
Prices continue firm In all lines Housss
report advance orders for spring delivery
already coming forward with considerable
noeraiity. and keeping pace with those OF
the week previous. which were on a higher
ratio than ever before experienced in this
center. The rsoriers for underwear hosiery
and manufactured goods are particularly
large FOR this season Of the year. The col
lections show marked Improvement over
those OF the week ending: Nov. 5.
GROCERIES.
There is practically no change in the
groceries line from that OF the previous wesk
which showed a healthy Improvement and
generally good tone for this season of the
year. The past week Of COOL clear weather
has facilitated things and this has been re-
neeted in improved collections. which have
been much better than at any time during the
previous months of the present season. The
values on staple goods continue firm, but
recent advances on raw sugar indicate an
advance on refined in the near future
HARDWARE.
There has been a fairly good demand for
heavy hardware, especially from the lumber
districts. The increasing orders for this
trade are about on & par with those Of the
preceding week. The prevailing prices are
considered low by the dealers, and there will
be little change in values prior to the closing
OF lake navigation which, it is reasonable to
expect will occur soon. Collections are re-
ported TO be prompt in a satisfactory degree
BOOTS AND SHOES.
The pleasant weather of the past week or
ten days has abbreviated somewhat orders
In rubber footwear. but the trade in leather
products has been highly satisfactory. and
no complaints heard among dealers 1t
is said by representatives OF the shoe manu-
fscturers and dealers here that the farmers
OF the Northwest are considerably behind
with their threshing and this patronage has
as yet not been fairly felt in this market.
This Is true, also. in the matter OF collec-
tons Until the farmers begin to generally
realize on their crops collections from coun-
try merchants are sluggish. Receipts from
those in Wisconsin. Iowa. Nebraska and
South Dakota who patronize this market,
have, however, been reasonably liberal New
orders coming forward indicate a generally
improving trade in all sections.
HATS, GLOVES. FURs. ETC.
Trade and collection have been very satis-
factory during the past week. There is a
gratifying demand for goods of the better
quality and continued Improvement in this
regard is anticipated. The reports received
from our trade south and east indicate that
there is a healthy demand for goods and tho
belief is general that merchants are having
good success in dbzposing of their goods.
DRUGS. PAINTS, OILS, ETC
Trade is better than for some weeks past.
although good at all times this fall. In num-
beers and amount orders are In excess OF the
usual business Of this season. While the
expected advance in prices has not occurred,
yet there Is no lack of signs pointing to
such advance. Linseed oil is reported az
likely to advance still further, although al
advance in this article is unusual at ghis
season. The Wisconsin law as 70 license i'm
posed on corporations and others from other
states doing business there is subject OF
soiie uiscussioh. Inc general opinion seems
to be that the law may possibly affect cor
porations and branch houses of all kinds, but
that it cannot affect firms and individuals
protected by general laws. Our attorney gem
eral and not few OF our leading attorneys
ere Of the opinion that any such law and IL
cense fee are I'm restraint OF interstate com
merce and so unlawful As soon as any at
tempt is made TO enforce the law II will be
promptly tested and early decision reached
The rehearing Of the argument by Joseph H.
Choate. of New York, for refund from gov
eminent OF tax on alcohol used in medi-
cine and the arts was Set for Nov. %. The
government claim now is that such retund
was only where It was so used. under regu-
lations" by the treasury OF the United States.
and as no such regulations were ever made.
no return is claimable. The result is uncer-
tain. but the prospect OF any recovery from
the government is thought to be very doubt
full