The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-01-23

The past week has been Of general sat-
isfaction to the jobbers. In some lines bust
ness has shown an increase. and in others
there has been marked activity, and in all
lines there has been advance over the
corresponding week a year ago.
DRY GOODS.
Business has been more than satisfactory
during the past week Orders are coming in
In large numbers both from nearby customers
and from the salesmen on the road. There
has been a marked activity in cotton goods,
both In bleached and unb.eached muslins and
prints The advance during the last few
days has been from an eighth TO fourth of
a cent, and merchants buying literally
at the advance. This is due to the fact
that the market Is strong and active and
shows no sign Of weakness in the near flu
ture and to the further fact that the stocks Of
manufacturers very low.
DRUGS. PAINTS. OILS, ETC.
The drug trade continues active with lib
eral orders and collections better than at
any similar season for many years past New
stock orders appearing and unless ell
signs fail the spring trade of st. Paul viii
break all records Our wholesale houses
| recognize the situation, and never before have
stocks been SO large and complete. or have
the inducements to buy here been SO strik-
| ingly manifest Linseed oil remains firm at
the advanced prices. but few have confidence
that they will be held there. Paris green
prices were upset by the advance in blue
vitrol. and the immense demand already in
dicates that there will be an advance and
possible shortage before the season is over
GROCERIES.
Trade has been quiet and while 1t is ahead
of the same period year ago. has not been
up to expectations. Along some lines 1t is
picking I'D a little and the future Is fairly
promising. Sugars and coffees are station
airy in price and there have been no changes
of any consequence in other lines. Fish IS
commencing to move heavily, as 1t usually
does at this season. just before the Lente1
period.
HATS. GLOVES, FURS. ETC.
The past few days have been exceptionally
busy ones. Orders have been coming in very
literally, so much 50 in fact that night shifts
OF men have been necessary at times. for
| much of the stuff is wanted for immediate
| use Many orders for spring goods being
received. The business in general is very
much better than during the same week last
year. Collections are very good
BOOTS AND SHOES.
Trade has been improving with every day
OF the past week. The outlook is most prom
| ising. Large orders for spring goods are
coming in and many for immediate delivery
course. is in rubber goods. Merchants are
buying in large quantities with orders to
ship at once. Prices are unchanged.
HARDWARE.
! Trade has shown a marked improvement
| during the last week. The lumber trade is
! the most surprising in that it is holding up
| remarkably well and there is little or no de-
| crease in the demand for bob-sleds The
spring trade is opening up and the outlook
| is that everything will move more freely
| from now on. The tendency in prices is
toward an advance as there has been an ad-
vance all along the line in steel. Collections
are good.
GENTS FURNISHINGS
Trade has been very good and shows quite
a little Improvement over the first days Of
the month and is much better than a year
ago. Orders are coming in freely and mer-
chants are buying literally. The outlook was
never better. Collections are satisfactory.