Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-01-09

New York-Wall street rounded out the
century with one OF the most remarkable
stock markets on record. Daily transac-
tons are still running considerably in er.
ass Of 100000 shares and the trend
o. prices appears to be as strongly up
ward now as at any time in the last two
months. The buying power of the coun-
try has exceeded all expectations. Moth
ing ike it has ever before been seen. Not
withstanding the fact that in the last two
months all Of the active stocks have scor-
ed advances ranging all the way from
10 to 40 points the demand of the public
is still keen, and at the moment there is
nothing to indicate any important change
in tho situation in this respect in the
near future Reports from every sec
ton of the country indicate that general
business conditions are healthy. Owing
to the fact that prices, as a rule, are On
a comparatively high level, there is not
that rush TO stock up that might other
wise be tie case. At the same time it is
believed consumption is and will be suffi-
cient to maintain a high degree of pro-
duction, consequently there is no dispo
sition to force sales by reduction Of
prices.
Chicago Extreme dulness was the
chief feature Of the speculative business
in wheat and corn during the last week
of the year. The absence of activity was
attempted to be accounted for by the in
fuence of the holidays, but that cannot
be accepted in explanation in view Of the
unprecedented briskness of speculation in
Wall street. where the effect Of the holt
day season should be as marked as is
claimed for it in the dealings on the Chi
cago Board of Trade. There are other
reasons than the one referred to for the
dullness Of the speculative business in
Board of Trade circles to which atten-
ton has been only casually directed, the
least of which is certainly not the trivial
fluctuations from day to day and week
to week. Unless something occurs to
create a greater divergence of opinion
with regard TO the future probabilities Of
the market referring more particularly
to wheat there is but little promise Tor
interest in the trade extending beyond
the comparatively limited bounds o. the
professional spectators. Compared with
its price on the previous Saturday, May
wheat Friday afternoon had only changed
IA cent bus'.el and that in face of the
issue meantime Of the governments final
estimate on the cumulative production
OF last seasons crops, which ordinarily
is cause for much disturbance of previ-
ously formed opinion and unsettling of
prices. If the grain trade was not much
influenced by the government estimate OF
the seasons cereal wealth IL must at
least be subject for the most lively con-
CALCULATIONS of he general business com
munity to find from it that notwithstand-
ing heavy losses to the wheat crop in
several important sections where it is
largely raised the abundance of its
growth in other areas was such that the
total was above the average Of the last
FIVE years md approximately not far from
ranking with the best of former seasons
The corn crop. too. was stated by the
statistician Of the agricultural bureau q
have been zone of the largest ever gath
cred" and the crop of ats has only
once been exceeded"