The age-herald., 1898-02-17
In Wall Street.


 New York, Feb. 16.-Trading was re- markedly feverish on the stock exchange today and all interest centered in the Gis- aster to the Maine in Havana haTbor and in the possible international consequences. It cannot be said that the varying phases of the speculation during the day repre- scented any change of opinion as to the very grave possibilities with which the disaster is pregnant The occaSonal checks to the downward course of prices were rather the results of a question in the minds of large operators as to their ability to hold the market or the best way in which to effect the liquidation of their holdings. Twice durng the day very pow erful support was forthcoming in the mar ket to check the decline and to combat the successful raid from the bears. That there was very large short selling during the day was evident from the strength of the rise caused by the covering by the shorts when the turning point at the low level was reached. This was particularly noticeable in some of the greatest fayorites of recent speculation which have bei-n pushed up to prices hardly warranted by the intrinsic value. The knowledge pos sessed by the bears of very heavy spscu- lative holdings in those stocks covered by light margins gave them confidence in fiercely selling them down. The support of the bulls no sooner effected a check to the decline than realizing offers began to come out again. Thene was an abundant supply . of long stock fed into the market all day and it was evident the bulls had aban- doned an immediate campaign for rise as hopeless. How far the speculative hold ings for a rise were liquidated today re- mains to be seen. It sesms sufhcientiy evident $however, that as soon as unls liquidation can be concluded prices Of se- curities will be left for the time bring to their natural level. Stocks which have been free from recent manipulation for rise were comparatively firm today, and the so-called Klondike group, nc'ta Oregcn Short Line, was even aggresslVt.y strong rising at one time six points, rms was on reports of the large traffic opening LID for Alaska. Grsat Northern, preferred gained 9 poitns and Denver, preierreu, showed comparative frmness. Kansas ana Texas preferred, also rallied ta last nhsi1, level hefors the close. Otherwise the weakness of stocks was only question of degree. The local traction stocks were all severely handled, Metropolitan Su'9e. Railway falling at one time 91s points ana closing at loss of several points, Noi foNs and Western, preferred, was ralfhso down nearly 5 points at one tiine' dt Eut closed at a recovery of over points. Net declines of 9 points and upwards are very numerous all through the list. ..,, Bonds were heavy, in sympathy wi.n stooks but declines were not so severe
 s tI,o rxet was not so active. Total ,saies.. s4.1eo,oOO. United States old As reg istered. new As registered and the os were N lower bid today, and the new As coupon fl lower. ros oao
 Total sales of stocks today were 53o ,S1o shares. including: Atchison preferred s,- ea0. C,hesapeake and Ohio, 4,60O; Burling- ion. 5e $50; Illinois Central. 3626; Lake Shore. 3,6SO; Louisville and Nashville. S,- 5aO. Manhattan 29,63O; Metropolitan, 22,oSo; M. & St. L., 3260; Missouri. Kansas ana Texas, preferred, 1910; New York Central 27 25O; Northern Pacific, S,S5o; do. prefer red. 20. .62O; Oregon Short Line, s.42S; Read ing. 3,S50 Rock Island, 15,32O; St. Paul. zs,- 050: St. Paul and Omaha, 4,43O; Southern preferred, 4,76O; Texas and Pacific, 4,SSo; Union Pacific, IS ,520; Tobacco, 12,O0o; Peo- ple,s Gas. Il ,s2O; Consolidated Gas, SAD; General Electric, 6,135; Sugar, 2s22o; West ern Union, S,010.
 Money on call easy at 1A@1lA per cent; last loan, IF per cent.
 Prime mercantile paper, BOA per cent. . Sterling exchange steady, with actual business in bankers bills at &.S5A@4.S5ss for demand, and at s4.S3H for sixty days.
 Posted rates, $4.S4G4.861e.
 Commercial bills, $4.S2A@4S2A.
 Silver certificates, 561R@57c.
 Bar silver, 561sc.
 Mexican dollars, 45Ac.
 Government bonds weak.
 State bonds dull.
 Railroad bonds weak