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About The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903 | View Entire Issue (April 7, 1894)
THE COURIER k vsijNes6Qnax5 4JK-) nci': 5.-.-y -y -c s Tyrtf OTT'jyti- u yw .7 .-vEr " "w , -&V - i f!&:Z-S54L SaefcS:--"" t3jsi-s--v;,v--iV Tho following summary of the busi ness situation is prepared for The Courier at the Omaha oflieo of Snow, Church & Co.: The month of March made an ex ceedingly good showing in all lines of business, and tho clearings were considerably above those of the previous month. April has opened up with a fair amount of orders coming in, and collections thus far are reasonably good. During the latter part of last week retail business was necessarily dull, owing to the inclement weather. Merc hants feel, however, that the season is too far advanced to fear an extended spell of bad weather, and tho ( hopeful feeling of tho last few weeke has not abated to any appre ciable extent. The vetoing of the seigniorage bill received much comment from bankers and business men, and they generally ex press their unqualified gratification at the final disposition of this measure. The opinion is general that this question is, to all intents and purposes, finally settled, and more firmness in the money market will undoubtedly result. A review of the last month must forcibly impress the careful observer, and thoroughly convince those who still doubt, that affairs are on the upward grade. Dry goods and boot and shoe houses report continued fair trade; in hardware and harness business is also very fair; implement men are filling orders, and although their first orders are practically done, they all seem to expect a large second order trade, which will keep matters lively in-this lino far into the season. Furniture dealers Beeni to bo having a good trade; this would apply almost entirely, however, to the regular line of low and medium grade goods. Dealers in lounges and other specialties of that class complain of little business. This is no doubt true, however, of all lines which may not be considered necessities, in the strictest sense of the term. Luxuries and high grade goods generally do not find a very ready market this spring. With the improving conditions of affairs there will, however, be an increased demand for this class of goods. Omaha merchants plaeo much faith in the Platte canal scheme and it is said that $125,000 have already been subscribed. This makes about one-half tho amount, and it is proposed to raise the balance at a mass meeting to be held some time during the week. It is to be hoped, and many retail merchants freely predict, that business this month will show a decided improvement in all lines. Albert Andriaxo. Frank M. Wish, manager of R. G. Dun & Co., makes the following business summary for The Courier: There is nothing specially new in the local trade situation. Busi ness continues rather small in volume, with some little improvement, however, since the first of the month as compared with the last two weeks in March. Farming work has been retarded considerably by the return of wintry and windy weather, as has also building. As a direct consequeece, sales in harness, hardware, implements and kindred lines have fallen off materially, although dealers anticipate fair business with the return of better weather. There has been some improvement in groceries, and there is not much complaint of collections. Liquors are very quiet and will remain so until after the new licenses are issued this month. Retail business continues pretty dull in nearly all lines. The general situation from a national standpoint seems to show slow but steady improvement, hardly per ceptible from day to day, but an improvement nevertheless, more clearly noted as one glances back to conditions as they prevailed several months ago. . Duncan, Hollinger fc Co., furnish the following market summary to The Courier: Wheat has been under the influence of crop damage reports for a week, while news of less or more injury has come from almost every winter wheat stato. The condition of tho crop in western Kansas has attracted most attention. In that section the dry weather has continued and it is undoubted that every day without rain is reduc ing the crop outlook. It seems to be no longer a question of it large crop there and only a change in conditions soon will enable them to escape disaster. News of this complexion was supplemented yester day by word from California that tho San Joaquin valley wheat was gene past redemption and that tho whole stato needed rain badly. It is apparent that we shall not have any radically weak markets until we have rain and not then unless rain comes soon. When one considers that we shall not go into the now crop with any large reserves it is clear that no very great amount of damage to the decreased acreage of wheat is required to raise values from thoir present very low plane to a considerably higher price. Wo have had a 7-cent advance, but 7 cents more would still be cheap wheat. Corn has sympathized to some extent with wheat and has scored a 2-eent advance. It has become apparent that every fall in price in corn checks the western movement and that many country hold ers now arc standing out for an advance and that a good deal of corn will bo kept until something is seen of prospects for a new crop. Oats have advanced a little without special features. Provisions The indications are that Armour is under provisions and has been manipulating them upwards. As his ulti mate object is, wo think, to sell, we consider that although tho price may be put up further it is very dangerous to buy. Thero is also danger in selling, but wo should rather sell on further bulges than buy. Hog receipts at packing centers keep up well. W. S. Huffman has retired from the management of the Baldwin company. Mattson II. Baldwin will in future have the sole manage ment of the business. W. R. Dennis will make extensive improvements in his store. F. C. Zehrung has moved his drug store to the corner of Twelfth and O streets, and has made extensive improvements. Sanderson, Schureman & Davis, boots and bIioos, will move into larger quarters at 1213 O street, next week. W. J. Lamb is converting the unfinished stone building at Four teenth and L streets into tenements. The president's veto of the Bland bill is an invaluable gain towards the recovery of confidence, says Henry Claws. It is not only a reaffirmation of the conservative monetary policy written large on the face of the repeal act, but it is an assurance that the policy is safe for the remaining three years of the president's tenure of office. And that is an immense assurance; for, if the silver craze can be held in restraint for three years, ways will be found for neutralizing it subsequently, if indeed it does not expire from its own inherent weakness. Senator Stewart's introduction of a free coinage bill, though annoying, is not to be regarded as threatening in a monetary sense. It may run into causing obstructive confusion of other pend. ing legislation, for the completion of which the business interests are impatiently waiting; but no one better knows than Senator Stewart that his scheme would be quashed by the president, and that it cannot be carried over his veto. It is simply a new display of the reckless and exasperating tactics by which the silver faction seeks to worry the country into concessions which it is resolved never to grant. Whatever annoyance therefore tho senator may in flict he can only score another failure. Nations and sparrows feed from the same hand. Cheaper foods, dollars and men put new premiums on intelligence, conscience and will, New soil under hats and feet is producing more than usurers or idlers desire. The three Americas should co-operate before they compete. A vigorous north and south, east and west can create a new era for the western hemisphere. From Clapp t Company's Weekly Letter. The verdict was handed in yesterday that Herpoleheimer & Co.'s millinery is the choicest line ever Bhown in Lincoln.