Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-26
STOCKS IRREGULAR.
CLOSING GENERALLY FIRM, WITH
NET CHANGES MIXED.
PROCESS OF CAUTIOUS TESTING.
Profit-Taking In Southern Railway
md Other stocl<s-Grain and Pro-
vision Markets Suffer from Too
Much Turkey and Mince-Pie.

NEW YORK, November 25.-The action
OF the stock market to-day was sugges-
tive Of a process of rather elaborate and
cautious testing. The powerful allied in
terests which have led the second bull
campaign refrained from buying on
large scale to-day. and seemed to occupy
the position OF lookers-on at the sales In
progress, standing ready, however, TO
come to the support of their favorites In
the event Of their being too hard pressed.
Proit-taking was very clearly in evidence
in the Atchison issues. the Federal Steel
stocks Peoples Gas, Southern Railway
preferred. and a number OF other stocks,
upon which the recent advance has been
sufficient to make profits attractive. The
selling pressure was by no means urgent
i'm these stocks, which showed a decided
falling of from the recent degree OF ac-
tiyity. except Atchison preferred But
they were clearly indisposed TO advance.
The Northern Pacific stocks maintained
| this second dropping tendency pending
the result Of further consultations between
the Northern Pacific and oregon Nayiga-
ton authorities. looking to the adjust
! ment OF the dispute over division or terri
| tory. II was significant that the stocks
| of other railroads vitality interested in the
| controversy were inclined to advance.
| There was evidence Of manipulation at
some points, no doubt designed TO coun-
teract the profit-taking elsewhere and 10
sustain the market. This was most flag
| rant in the Reading issues. The move
ment in the other Coalers was insignif-
cant although efforts were made to con.
| a, eli ha
the Reading securities was due 10 favor
able developments in the coal trade
There were also very positive elements
ments of strength at a few points.
TOBACCO LOSES TWO POINTS.
Sugar turned weak after early strength
| Tobacco also lost over points The clos
| ing was generally firm, and the ne'
| changes are mixed.
The bond market was much less active
| than recently, and shared in the irregu-
| larity Of the stock market. Total sales
! sf,270OO0. United States 3s, the new As
and the old As, registered, advanced Is
in the bid price.
| The total sales OF stocks were 1920
| shares, including Atchison, 1925; Atchi-
son (preferred). 6S, 800; Baltimore and Ohio
| II 600, Chicago, Burlington and Quincy
| S572: Louisville and Nashville, 1920
| Manhattan, 1920; Northern Pacific, 1O,0Sl;
Reading, $500; Rock Island, 1885; st. Paul
| II ,337; Union Pacific (preferred), H,3l9i
| Southern Railway, 5595; Southern Rail-
| way preferred), 12.752; Tobacco, 1850;
| Peoples Gas 6,S35; Sugar. 2S6O9.
MONEY AND EXCHANGE.
Money on call steady at 2a2 1-2 pei
| cent; last loan at Ia per cent; prime
! mercantile paper, 1-2Gl4 1-2 per cent.
! Sterling exchange easy, with actual
business in bankers bill at SiS 3-4I$i.S;
for demand, and S.s1 3-iQA.s2 for sixty
days; posted rates, slS2 1-2qA.S and
/ sass II; commercial bills, A.SlgSi.S 81 IL.
Silver certificates, 60 1-2q6l H. Bar sill
yer. 60 S-16 Mexican dollars, 46 rs.
Government bonds strong. State bond:
/ firm. Railroad bonds irregular.
BANK CLEARINGS.
The total bank clearings in the United
States for the week were 1881 ,S4, 74s-pel
cent. increase, 25.6; exclusive Of New
York, $SiS, 99l. 433-per cent. increase, $50
NEW YORK STOCK QUOTATIONS.