The age-herald., 1898-04-06
In w all Street.


 New York, April 5.-Today's stock mar ket was almost utterly stagnant and there were minutes at timo during the session of the exchange when no quotation for any stock was recorded. Small as the total volume of business was, most of it was made up of transactions in a few of the leading stocks, Sugar and the Changers absorbing the largest proportion. The dull ness itself was expressive of the prevailing sentiment of waiting and of extreme doubt Not only were reports very conflicting as to what would be the tenor of the presi- dents message to congress tomorrow, but opinions as to how the message would be received and disposed of differed widely. There was practically nothing left of yes terday's sanguine antcipations that sentiment would grow in Washington against war-like measures. There were in fact significant reports that the organized pressure which has been exerted upon congress during the last few days against hostile measures has rather defeated its purpose by awakening resentment. Wall street counted much on the effect of these united delegations to congress.
 The opinion is still tenaciously held in some quarters that hostilities may yet be averted. Such hopes of this as were en- tertaned today were based on the possl- bility that Spain would be induced to yield to the demands of this government by the representations of the pope and the Flu ropean powers. An expression of the pre- yailing steadiness was the decision by the stock exchange governing board to Keep open for business on Good Friday.
 The money market continues to, reflect the stress over the relations with Spain as forcibly as In the stock market
 The prevailing rates of per cent. for time money and the varying rates for call loans are admitted to be largely sentl- mental and based on apprehension of war. The position of the banks Is admittedly strong, the supply of available funds large and the demand for the use of money not very active. But with checks stifdy held, gold continues and will continue to come from Europe. An easing or money Tn Lon don and Berlin facilitates the import gold movement and the engagements announced today amounted to nearly 100000 dollars. Transactions in bonds were on very small scale, but the market shared depres- sion with stocks. The total sales were sl,- 225 ,000
 New York. April 5.-Total sales of stocks today were 257 OOO shares, including Burling- ton 25,547; Louisville and Nashville, 922O; Manhattan. 15710; Metropolitan, S,S55; New York Central 3285; Northern Pacific, 0,- s12; Union Pacific D. & G., 3,72O; American Spirits, 5,610; Tobacco, 12,05S; Consolidated Gas 1922; Sugar, 7S.2S9.
 New York, April 5-Money on call firm at 202h per cent; last loan, 2h per cent.
 Prime mercantile paper at per cent
 Sterling exchange weak, with actual bus mess in bankers bills at A.sS@4S3K for de- mand, and at $4. .S0A14SO1A for sixty days.
 Posted rates, s4St@4.s2 and $484@4S5.
 Commercial bills, s4.791h.
 Silver certificates, 5519956h.
 Bar silver, 53A. ts a Mexican dollars. 45. sYsn,-
 Government bonds weak.ds . State bonds dull. ST - eni Railroad bonds weak. osle
 v45 - ax Of 2
 Madrid, April 5.-Spanish, fours closed to- day at 69.90.