The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-04
THE MARKET
IS LISTLESS.
Business Almost Stagnant for Long
Periods.
The EXCHANGE MARKET IS DULL
But Dull--May Shows a Decline.
Cotton DuII--Richmond Stock
and Tobacco Markets.

NEW YORK. March 3.-Somc Of the
bun traders bid up prices Of specialtics
this morning. and carried the general
list with thCm In an effort 10 renew the
hull campaign. but there was no outside
interest. and the efforts of the leaders
were not seconded. Tho market drifted
hstlcssly FOR the rest of the day, some
times up and sometimes down, and had
some part OF the early gains remaining
for most stocks at the close. Buying OF
New York Central iu the last hour ON the
receipt OF the news from Albany that the
Assembly had passed "a measure assuring
the legality Of the bond issue necessary
For tho consolidation with tho Lake Shore
caused stinCning of tho market Ia the
closing deals. There were long periods
during Tho day when business was al
most staCnant and prices moved very
sluggishly. The market was iu the hands
OF small traders and reflected no couul-
lion OF general business beyond the feel
ing of uncertainty regarding the Cuban
question. Large operators and the gem
cral public are evidently out Of the mar
ket by reason OF this same uncertainty,
and the room traders seek to move prices
hV an sorts of rumOrs and surmises,
many Of which originate in the board
room and are denied before they get be-
youd the doors. There was "a serene dis
regard of attempts 20 precipitate new
phase Of the Cuban question I'M advance
of the formal report of the Maine Board
of Inquiry. which is looked TO 10 DEFINITELY
define the status Of the disaster. Sugar
New York Central, Tobacco ana the
grangcrs were active. Each OF these had
some special cause assigned for its
strength There was talk of AN agree
ment over threatened competition IN SUI
car. of larCcif Increased earnings IN To-
hacCO. and Of buying Tor large corporate
interests in ST. Paul. Rock Island ana
ST. Paul were both helped by the stated
estimates OF the earnings for February.
Tho exchange market continues dull "A
weakening of the rate on Paris being the
feature of tho day. There was some tax
that more gold may be shipped from
Paris before the end Of the week, but
further immediate shipments from Lon
don are considered unlikely, In view OF
the small supply 20 be- had In the open
market and the dissemination of the ban
of England 90 diminish IT'S supply. oon-
ditions in the money market remained
unchanged
Prices were pretty well maintained IN
the bond market but the volume of deal
mgs showed "a very marked decrease IN
The recent average. Total sales. $500
$50 United states new As and 1s were
Tho total sales OF stocks were oof1OO
shares including Chicago. Burlington ana
Quincy. ~ g4S. Manhattan Elevated, iJ.-
g72. Metropolitan street railway 1880
Minneapolis and 81. Louis ZOO North
crn Pacific preferred GOO. Rock Island
Ng13. 81 Paul, -. 81, Union Pacihc,
f. 21O American Tobacco 1G6SO. Peoples
Gas Gj95; Sugar 1850. Western Union,
G4f5.
MONEY AND EXCHANGE.-Mone on
call steady at 2N2ie per cent. last loan
at per cent; prime mercantile paper
4kuHe per cent, sterling exchange easier
with actual business iu bankers hills az
1871. for demand and 4S2d4S2k for sixty
days posted rates fS3DiN.'2, commercial
bills 4Slis. silver certificates. 1112d1bie;
lar silver. -. Mexican dollars. -. Gov
eminent bonds weak. state bonds dull;