Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-20
STOCKS IRREGULAR.
THE RESULT Is MIXED CHANGES IN
PRICES.
GOOD UNDERGONE IN GENERAL.
nut the Market IN Devoid of Inter-
esttng Features-CIose FIrm-Whent
strong-Corn and Oats Higher
Provfsfons Unchanged

NEW YORK, December l9.-The market
To-Day moved irregularly. and resulted in
mixed Changes in prices. The general mar
ket had a good undertone, but was de-
VOID OF interesting features. Little was
lone in the standard stocks or the Indus
trials, except Sugar. which broke nearly
4 points and rallied ~fractionally. The con-
irmation Of the report that Secretary and
treasurer Searles would retire, owing to
in-health, was used in depressing Sugar.
Central Pacific was strong. in anticipation
or the reorganization plan, which is ex-
pected to follow any settlement which the
company may make with the government.
Southern Pacific, which would benefit in
any favorable developments in Central
Pacific, rose 3 points. Baltimore and Ohio
stocks were affected favorably by reports
that the Baltimore and Ohio Southwestern
plan Of reorganization was well received
abroad. Lake Erie and Western was sg-
gressively strong, without any new de-
velopments in the properly becoming
known.
Metropolitan Street Railway gained 3
points, after having been comparatively
inactive dlu weak Int revival OF ak
of underground rapid transit was probably
the cause of weakness in Manhattan.
BREAK AT THE END.
Prices were well held until the last hour.
when there was a break i'm Atchison and
the Changers. Traders worked for a de-
cline, on the theory that such a move
ment was usual before the Christmas
holidays. Active bulls professed gratifca-
ffor ~ eLa. AtF...rn.. 90 L...-gI. s-.aH.rt
in the market, which was reflected in the
undue prominence of some Of the minor
stocks in the trading. Tennessee Coal and
Iron became strong. n moved up 2
points. and the rest Of the list sympa-
thized in this movement fractionally. and
the market left off firm.
Operations in railway and miscellaneous
securities were attended with the same
aggressive show Of strength which has
characterized the dealings for some time.
Business. however, was somewhat below
recent totals, with a more general diver
sion Of interests into securities not usually
prominent. Total sales, $4,000.
United States new as and the 3s ad-
vanced Is in the bid price.
The total sales Of stocks to-day were
500, 900 shares, including 1880 Atchison;
5000 do, preferred; 1920 Central Pacific;
$500 Denver and Rio Grande, preferred;
1850 Lake Erie and Western, 7,745 do,
preferred; 1850 Louisville and Nashville;
1870 Manhattan; 300 Metropolitan Street
Railway: $3.50 Reading, first preferred; H.
02O Missouri Pacific; 5.120 Northern Pacific;
q, 100 Union Pacific; 1880 st. Paul; 10,520
Southern Pacific; 900 international Paper;
13, $50 American Tobacco; 3j,120 Federal
Steel: 1880 do, preferred; $3.50 Sugar;
22,OJO Tennessee Coal and Iron.
MONEY AND EXCHANGE.
Money on call hrmer at 21-+d3 per cent.
last loan at 21-2; prime mercantile paper,
3G4 per cent.
Sterling exchange steady, with actual
business in bankers bills at ASi1-2D
N.Si3-4 for demand and $4.S1 3-4Q$4S2 for
sixty days; posted rates. .21-2 n
$4.S5 10; commercial bills, $l.S0l-2.
Silver certificates, $1,000 10; bar sill
yer. 50 -; Mexican dollars. 46 81.
Government bonds strong; State bonds