Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-03-24


II. q. Dunn s. Co, says: Neither
peace nor war reports bsve changed the
onward current of business. Orders for
gold from Europe have blocked any
drift toward stringency in rates for
money, and Treasury receipts of about
81, 100, 600 per day have kept in cheek
any question about the currency, while
exports of products have continued at
rate considerably increased, and the
demand for products of the great in
dustries shows steady expansion.
Prompt action by the Senate and House
has removed all fear OF embarrassment
through conflicting purposes at Wash
ington. The Government is making
ready without any waste OF time, while
frankly assuring everybody that it looks
for a peaceful settlement, and hopes
that its preparations may prove un-
necessary. The backbone OF the stu
alton is the excess Of merchandise ex-
ports, again more than 81, 900. 600 in
February. with an increase of 81, 600, 600
in miscellaneous products. 50, 100, 600 in
provisions, 81, soc, 600 in cotton and
81, 000, 900 in breadBtulfs compared with
last year. and S15, 100, 900 in all prod
ucts In two weeks OF March exports
have been IL per cent larger than last
year, and Imports have gained but 81
per cent, although especially swelled by
receipts of India rubber, sugar and
hides. The .outgo of cotton snrpasses
all expectations, though the price was
stronger last week, and the export de-
mand apparently paid no attention to
market fluctuations Receipts from
plantations continue much greater than
at the corresponding date from the
largest crop heretofore produced, so that
gussses about the future crop are now
the main reliance Of spectators. Wheat
also moves, in spite of all speculation
Atlantic exports, -four included. have
been ], s24. $40 bushels, against l, 253, 800
last year, and from Pacific ports,
1877, S26 bushels, against 26S, sos last
year, making for three weeks from both
coasts, 10, 659,l2 BUSHES, against
| 4, 53H, AL last year. Railroad earnings
continue 7.9 per cent larger than lust
year and per cent larger than in 1892,
which Chicago Eastbound tonnage is
| very much the largest ever recorded,
and bank clearings for the month were
42.S per cent larger than last year"
| Bradstreeta for last week says that
the aggregate volume OF the country's
business continues sufficiently large to
allow Of favorable comparisons with
EAST periods alike in this and in proceed
ing years. Aside from quieting in
demand at few leading Eastern
markets where uncertainty as TO the out
come of foreign complications is adj
vanced as reason for an unwillingnsss
to embark in new business, the aitua-
tion ia one possessing nearly all of the
favorable features nUted for some time
past. The best reports as to distribu-
tnaE tnx th.,
central West and the Northwest. 10
those sections the situation is one of
undeniable strength. Favorable weather
has improved distribution of dry goods,
clothing, mlllinary, building materials.
agricultural implements and nearly all
other products forming staple articles
of consumption among the prosperous
farming community. The movement
of irun and steel is especially large, but
without effect on prices, which are gen
orally very firmly held. Some slight
advances 10 pig iron, in fact, have been
feature Of the week at some markets..
st, Louis reports general trade larger
than at any corresponding time in re-
cent years, with fewer cancellations of
orders already filled and with purchases
tending nearer to cash basis than
ever before. business is good at Kansas
City, and dealers in hardware, building
materials and implements cannot get
goods fast enough to supply current de
mand. Better weather has improved
retail trade at the South, while whole
sale business is maintained at salts
factory volume. New Orleans reports
trade in excess of last year and the out
look encouraging. Southern iron manu-
faeturers are activs and fruit and
vegetable shipments promise alike to
be early and heavy. Distributivs trade
is reported increasing nj tho Northwest,
navigation is practically open on the
lakes. and the first of april will witness
general movement of craft. Other
favorable features of the country's gem
eral trade situation are summed up in
liberal shipments of loading cesesls,
unprecedented totals Of exports at New
York and few business failures Bank
clearings at all cities for the week az
gregate 81, 2SS, 95l, 600, less than | per
cent larger than last week, but 80 per
cent, in excess Of this week year ago,
30 per cent larger than in 1880 50 per
cent larger than in 1894 and per cont
larger than in 1898. "
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