The New York Herald Newspaper, March 31, 1875, Page 3

BUSINESS. Spring Prospects of the Prin- cipal Trades. DULNESS ENFORCED BY THE LATE WINTER. | ” THE EAST, SOUTH AND WEST. Baltiznore’s Increase of Cof- fee Importation. New Orleans Regaining Her Commercial Prestige. MONEY SCARCE IN ST. LOUIS. Under the iron spell of winter trade itself sym- patiizes with sensitive human nature. The torpor ‘bred of leaden skies und frozen streets makes 11s | influence felt turougn almost the whole range of | Mercantile and inoustrial pursuits, From tne | eptns of the winter the business eye turns iondly | %o the advent of spring. It is the scason to repay ‘she weary, weary waiting of the winter, to bring the country to town, to people the vast ware- houses of the wholesale merchants down town, to Ml all the side ssreets with busy drays and ‘Wagons and put millions on millions of green- backs 1m active circulatiop. The spring is un- Goubtedly the great season of the year for most Kinds 01 business. It 1s especially so ior the dry goods—the paramount trade of the country. Itis needi the spring amects this great interest, us well as every other, An early spring, bright and balmy, | which liits the winter’s embargo of ice and snow of river and railroad 1s worth countless millions, A late spring makes an incalculable loss, At this | UUme of tne year COUNTRY BUYERS should be swarming into town from North, South, East and West, but unfortunately every part of She land has suffered more or less from the terri- ble winter, ratiroads have been interrupted, foods broduced from ice gorges have done vast damage and the general bad weather has operated to Geter business men from entering in any active Plans. For @ month or more before the advent of the fine weati.er whica began on Saturday last the -Mercnanta were glum and almost devoid of hope in relation to the revival of trade. Hence there Was in the stores of Broadway and the mercantile Bireets which run from that thoroughfare an ab- | sence of that dusting om the part of merchant, | salesman, porter and boy which usually preludes | the opening of the fall or spring season, There | was, indeed, nothing apparent which the business | man could grasp in order to buoy up his courage. It seemed as if winter bad settled and intended to be a perennial resident in this region. This Possibility was suficient of itself to pre- vent toat trading which 1s often done In anticipation of a season, But there | Was still another hindrance to this kind of trading. It was a resuit of the panic of the tall of 1873, which event still has an effect upon general business. Since it oc- @urred there has been no sanguineness, no conf. Gence ina seaaon’s results, displayed by mercan- tile men, before those ends have been achieved. ‘Qhere bas ever since been a lack of vim among | @ry goods men particularly, and it will ve neces. Bary for acouple or wore first Class trading sea- Bons to elapse before they will recover the ebdandon and esprit with which they were once ‘Wont todo business, it is a question, however, Whether it would or would not be a good thing fortnem to recover their former dashing spirit, Dut one too proiound to be discussed at this time and place, The present fine weather has raised the hopes of the mercantile community, so that tne belief ia Widespread that the sales during the spring will | ’xcel in amount those effected during tue cor- | Jesponding season of 1878, as well as those made jn the spring of last year. There 1s much evidence jn support of this belief to be gained from an ob Bervation of the styles in which people are begin- Bing to attire themselves, Thougn the season net passed was by no means one of very great prosperity everyoody now appears to have the mneaas to procure new clothing throughout, The | “loudest” patterns for shirts, collars and cuffs, | Budthe most strange looking scarfs, are i de Wand on every side. THE DIFFERENT TRADES. The wool business 1s back ward, and the receipts show a falling off this year of 3,000 bales compared ‘With the cor: esponding period of last year. The grocery trade has felt the influence of un- favorable weather, but the quantity of business transacted during the few One days of the month bas been large, and there 1s no rumor of any shrinkage in valoes. Tne provision trade is seldom depressed. Nothing out a plague or an earthquake could stop the sale of pork, Pork is up, anda farther | @dvance in price is anticiprted tor next week, The export trade shows a fauing off, | The wholesale hardware men are in good spirits. The boot and shoe trade is somewhat depressed. | Local purchasers are numerous enough, but buyers trom @ distance are only ‘ew and far between, The weather is the great complaint of | the boot and shoe men. Southern buyers were @xpected in large numbers, but only a few have come, | The trade in breadstaffs is light for this season | ef the year. Tne exports denote a lalling of. The Produce Exchange was closed on Good Friday, | and little business of any moment was done. | ‘The large cotton houses report a buoyant open: | | | ing of the market for the week, The tvtal sales for the week reach 10,962 bales, including 1,967 for export, 3,691 for consumption, 4,804 for specula- tion, and 300 im transit. For forward delivery the fales have reached daring the week 163,000 bales, ali low midditng or on the basis of low middling. 4 ‘rhe brick business will take & new lease of life from the warm weather which bas just setin, | The opening of river navigation will revive this trade immensely. The coal trade israther stagnant. Cargo lots Gre lard to sell. ‘Tne leather trade reports no uecided change for Weeks, Prices remain steady. The earriage munufacturing business is very Qui, Fewer orders jur curriugea nave been re- Geived this Winter than jor several years past. The only way of accounting lor it 1s the absence of surplus Cash among the Bo-cailed rich, or the ad+ nt of more economic Babits Of living im the Cire 3 (hat Usually patronize the varriagt ulac, ¢ sure’ THE DRY GOODS BUSINESS, One touch of summer now makes the dry goods World rejoice, As hus been indicated beiore, on unusual nuniber of sinall dealers nave held buck | from purchasing Ou account O1 the cold. ‘they are bow beginning 42 tovk in for ligiter goods, with cia to replace the materials in use during the juter, H. B. CLAPLIN & C0, are behindhand several weeks. This enormous | estadlienment, with #iX and & Dali acres oO! dry | G00ds and & business of $70,000,000 4 year, feel to some degree the lo date sprlog, Where in the Duy season a0 average day's ani Ol @ million, t or tweive days O/ eniorced stagualion count a Verscly (0 sume purpowe, A MBRALD Feporter, Daikiog the rounds of the busimess hou Caied at this mammoth emporium and Ghe Of MX immense Hoors strewn wilh goods so thick that it bardiy seemed possibile tor wunybudy 16 Move fi among tacm, But huodreds of busy mea, ahirts: es Bud pul Chesers im stovepipes and wideawukes, were lattering tO and iro bGying and sellinw lor dear ut Mr, Montague, & polite attacné of tne e@xtabiisnment, iniormed tue reporter that buai- hess was backward, “You seem to be pretty buay Bow,” remarked the reporter, “Oa! tiacs Bovning.” ve replied, ‘to the stir you may see on a right busy day. ie like bedlam," it wasa « very iupressive kcone to observe the mountain A218 OF HUAN BOM CAlicomenough, one woul lisiie 10 VLE & WHOLE belies Of Women ami to point out how deeply the character of | & | pis, Galveston and Other rival cities, | Planters, Who are DOW eHabied to eper ehildren—and to think of all the laads that con. | tributed to bring into existence these vast auan- | Uties of Manufactured material, of the diferent | nations that aided in the work, of the countless towns and villages throughout the nation to which they were destined to be distributed, and then to think of all tue Custom House and conat- ing house processes that ment 01 bulk Of goors so great aNd sO Varied, CONSTABLE & CO. they complain of their re- rdea by the vad w however, of brig of maxing “up tor y in foreign goods, AR: At this establis tai trade being 1 Give them a w days aud ts deliciencies, and their customer Dad Weather is an branch business Lo: G + AL ‘ s. botuing like a until "| is} r ici » & TAY TEAL ctiv ity Anticipated have great hope: or Ge spring tra As the | ry y r, } courteous man Ar, Simith. observed to the in the Future. HekaLn reporter, give them rue proper meteoro- | logical concitions and they can do a business any | | day inthe year. Saturday mage a eood beginning for them ui ihe retail trade, and Lhe wholesale is expected to ti & Vigorous start next la taking with the dry goods men one soou aiscoy- ers What & sanguine race of mortals they are. No cloud to them 18 without a silver lining, Por the past two montis the dry goods trade has been very stagnant. A good Many causes appear to have operated to produce this condition, A. T, STEWART & CO. Climatte influences adect but little etther the retail Or whoiesale establishments of this Srm, Mr. Gris, one of the managers, observed to toe HERALD reporter that in spite of the saow and the retail business Went OD almost as usuai. This house,” said ne, “has no special class of customers; itis the house for the milion, The lady steps down froin her carriage and takes a seat Dext @ waskerWoman With her basket. ‘he demo- cratic principle fiuds aaily illustration. This Makes Stewarts popular with the muititude of people, Ali are treated aitke. The reason why we observe no falling olf 1p our trade owing to the weatuer 13 pian enougu, Our customers are not contined to New York. Vney come trom long dis- | tances, and peopie who muke a long journey to | purchase nere don’t mind much whether it is faw | or foul Weatier.”” At tie Wiulesale store, corner of | ate Chamvers street and Broadway, a decorous mosphere of caim prevailed altogether uitlel Irom the stir «hd contusion of Cladin’s, Long lines | Of overflowing dry goods boxes coverea the floors. | Spring fabries tor ladies’ dresyea had the piace of | honor near tue voor, and the buying and selling | went on like clock work. THE CLOTHING BUSINESS. The clothing men have fewer complaints to make against the weatuer than any otuer class of traders, Winter goods yicla better profits than those of summer. Wiuter compels people to go | fort and invest in clothes, but summer may be evaded, Brooks Brottiers anticipate a rattling apring trade, based upon the umption inact there is a universal Wearimess of winter c.othing | and that any fair token of warm weather would be instantly made a pretext lor a change. Devitu | Cv, ure sanguine oi a ively season supplanting | the dull, cold and unprofitable period of winter. ‘They vave great hopes of tue summer trade and are Making their arrangements accordingly, THE INDICATIONS. From all the indications at hand scarcely a doubt exists that, with the disappearance of win- ter, every branch of business will revive, Spring, so Called, Will be of vriet duration, aud much of whalis termed spring trade will be projected into the summer, A general :mpression prevails that the period 1s at band for & revival of the olden prosperity. NEW ORLEANS. THE CRESCENT CITY HOPEFUL OF REGAINING HER ANCIENT COMMERCIAL PRESTIGE—GOOD PROSPECTS OF THE COTTON AND sUGAR CROPS—CAPITAL UNEMPLOYED—TRANSPORTA- TION FACILITIES NEEDED. NEW ORLEANS, March 23, 1875, In common with her sister cities, New Orleans has commenced to feel the thrill of revival now permeating all branches of trade throuzhout the country, As yet it 18 only slightly manifest, but sufiicientiy so to awaken @ hopefulness ana en- ergy among the people to which they have long been strangers, UNEMPLOYED CAPITAL. Unlike the great cities of the North, with varied and abundant resources, New Urieans is always dependent for prosperity upon the production of the two great staples of the Mississippi Vailey. Fortunately, iast year’s yield of both these crops, while exniviting some falling off, was, in the main, higbly satisfactory. They were raised | more economically than usual, and, as | good prices have been maintained, the re- galt has been most beneficial. fhe planting | community is better off financially than at suy period since the war, and the banks of New Or- leaus are overflowing with unemployed capital. This 19 the bright siae of tne picture, but there 1s @ sombre one, the result of bad government and reckless legislation, manifesting itsel! 1n paralyzed energy and @ lack of confidence, wnich has almost | reached the limits of general demoralization. A | city in which real estate has shrunk to half its | intrinsic value can only move manacled on the road back to prosperity, and even under the most favorable circumstances it will be many years be. fore New Orleans can regain the commercial pres* tige and position jt once maintained in the com- Munity of trade centres. A succession of good crops and the gradual enlargement of the pro- ductive area will do much toward retrieving its Condition, and, With @ view of ascertaining the Prospects in this respect, your correspondent has | made Careful and extended inquiries. THE COTTON OKXOP, At this early date it is, of course, impossible to form any accurate Opinion in regard to the prospective yield, The ploughing season bas been delayed by bad weather, but the production prom- ises to be fully equal to that of the past year. If the iactors mantiestea a leas conservative ten- dency and were disposed to advance freely the @rop- would doubtless be largely increased, but their disposition and ability to make advances are declining every year. The planters are thus beld in check greatiy to the financial disadvantage of the ousiness community, itis estimated by the Secretary of the Cotton Exchange that the tailing off of cotton receipts this year has cut off @ proilt of over $1,000,000 from the general trade, This falling off has been mauly due to the want of production, but also, in & yreat degree, to the diversion cansed vy opening new fines of transportation to the Nortn and East. It is the generaliy expressed Opinion iu cotton circles that this jalling of has reached its limit, and that succeeding years Will Witness the yradual recla- | Mation O| tie trade DOW lost to St. Louis, Mem- A prouu- ent eature of the cotton trade is the growing tendency to sbip direct to Europe, and New York | receipts irom tais port are destined to exhibit a jurtuer decrease. While the actors are all hopeful and unanimous | in expecting a marked and sceady improvement | in busigess, they do not look for any suacen or extensive revival. Their contidence in the future of New OUricaus 13 more or jess shuken, how justiy only time and experience can determine, THE SUGAR CROP. Sugar planters wade better crops last year, and are now more prosperous than at any time since the war. ‘Ine yield was 140,000 hogsheads ugaiast 103,000 the preceaing year. ‘tuis crop wad made very ecouomically, aud cou manded fair prices, tous enabling Coe planters to pay olf atrearages aud leaving them in sound financial | condition, If is very evident that, uuder these Javuravie circumstances, a very wuco larger | creage Will be pianved, and in all provability tue new crop Will exbivit a large increase—over 200,000 hogsiecads, Wayes are iow, the winter has been | very lavorable for seed Cane, Ond although tue Plating has been delayed by heavy raius, tue prospect is im every way flattering. Apprehen- | sions of overflow exist iM fome localities, but as | the river 1s now four seo: lower than at tris time | last year tney Deed not ve regarded as serious, The coudition ol the sugar actors is uot so fJayorabie. Tuey have lost #0 heavily up to the present year as to hardly recover through this yeur’s prosperity. itis very evident that the new Orop Will be raised on less advances than tne old one, aud that tbe planter is ast oecoming, by force G necessity, entirely independent of we mercpant | WESTERN PRODUUR. ‘gin Westero produce aud provisions all speak encouragingly of the prospect, Tuey unite | 10 the Opinion that ‘*botcom Las been touched” | upd that henceorsn trade must steadily and | Tapidly improve, ‘Tne trade Oi the Mississippi trivucaries, pon Which the WesterdD cities made Buch successful raids a lew years ago, they claim 48 Deng revored (o New Orieans. Wituia ine past three months tie Ked River vasiness, ouce mo+ nopvlized At this pout, hus larwesy increased, This ig atiributabie to the improved cunditi Caw bavi, ANd wre cobeequentiy becomlag inde: endent of the trads facies Which diverted heir Uusiness WO St Louis aod ous of its ievivie Marve Chanue. The depressiou ivit in this branch has existed for iour or five years, but itis how Constuntly improving, tie reauit Ol LOW prices aod | enormous Crops ‘The summer will be dull oa Usual, bab @ splendid tau basiess may be Gonndently anticipated. A satimlaciury aattia- neat Of political trounies Will restore tae Guns Hdauce Recessary FO Altiuct ond control capital WwW Oriedoe is yalning jaigely in jorega » ‘The importation uf coffee aud sugar ond the exportation of flowr and grain in oulk all Mow 4 Marked lucreuse, Ong ali the sigos OF the times pulat to close: and mofe extensive business ideutaly with the yreat Wea\, THE JOUMING TRADE | The jobbing business OXDIDICH ID Bil Ite branches | more highs of depression than Any other, and ts fepreweuted vy a few old and Very astauncn | huuses, Ate Lopes aud expediatious are uowW | | Men—are very conservative anu have not entire based upon the construction of a railroad to Texas, which, in the opinion of all, is tne only thing needed to restore the halcyou days of New Orleans, when this trade was the most prosperous if not the controling interest. DRY GOODS, Tn an interview with one of the most prominent representatives of the dry goods branen he stated that ine few dry goods houses yes existing had ampi¢ capliai and were as sound a8 any commu- nity in the United States, Business had alreaay revived and Was in # very heathy condition, With wood crops, ne business prospects were never ter, Very jew dry goois are now sold to s, but a very healthy trade has been built up SissippLand the adjacend States, among North. He re- ANS a8 most prom- ingly low price of real estate capital dnd the construction of a raul nm road to Texas \ or th secure the control of the trade HARDWARE, ‘The President of the New Orieans National Bank aod head of the primeipal bardware firm also spoke eacouragingly, ‘The business of Eastern ‘texas Was coming back alter two years’ diversion ‘irade was now good and would run Buyers were paying a larger proportion of than usual, y were in yood condition and tos NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3], 1873.—TRIPLE SHEET. ments could there be any certainty of basiness prosperity. W. H. Cole, one of the leading hardware mer- chants, whose trade is with tne South. said busi- ness in his line had not been duller since the Punic. Buthe did not expect a brisk trace Unis spring, He rhought it would take another year to restore business fo a normal condition. Lhe Southern people were not burdened with money, and With ncertain credit he was not disposed to risk large sales in that section, PROVISIONS. P. T. George, the largest pork dealer in Bal- timore, Said there Was & prospect of 4 large in- crease iv the grocery ousiness; that his pecuilar business had suffered bus little irom the panic there Was always Mecessarliy a demaud stock ; tua p (veen good so t of aiMculty abead. Money undant and luaners were there wereind! in thebanks was supe ou the increase; but only # short wile ego & bank with which he Was connected had | $1,000,000 lying idie an its vaults. He thought rie owed less money than since the war. The trade | With Soulwestern Texas was rapidly growing aud ouly needed railroad communication to secure He thowsrnt the evil ettects,experieaced through the enterprise displayed m tapping its trade marts, had Al ail events the Qardware trade to experience them and was now aiming lost ground, Wade Was expected and Was veing preparea ior. in regard to bunkiug Mr, Baldwin stated tat the vanks were unable to use one-third of toe Capital taey could use and keepin line, Deposus Were larger and discounts smailer than ever be- fore. Recent laiures bad tended to clear tne finaocial atmospnere, and confidence was fast beiug restored, advance mucn at present, but Ul the Crop pros. pects proved sacisiactory during the summer they woud ao so freely, pruas, E. B. Wheeiock, of Wheelock, Finlay & Co., said the news from the country was Very favoraole, People were paying toeir debts, but were buying moaerately. ‘There had been great depression 11 the drug trade for two years on account of the healthy condition of the country aud the lack of (ransportation facilities. ‘ihe business fu- ture of the city) was, in fact, mere question of transportation, it had every advantage us a market. The people ofthe Southwest all preierred to buy here, vut until railroads were built rival Western cities would enjoy taeir present advantages, He antici- pated a good spring and tall business, but not a heavy one. The financial c nditlou or the drug trade was Dever better, but they Were disposed co buy very ligntly this spring. GROCERIES, Several leading grocers confirmed the views Avery jarge tall | Tue Danks Were not disposed to | trace in packed g004s and Jertilizers were on the jucrease, and from what be could iearn from con- Versation with leading merchants engaged in those branches of the wade, the domestic and dry goods businesses promised very brizntly. fs Spoke in a very hopetul tone and is well qualifed to Xpress an opinion upon trade In this elt Jenkios, of the firm of Jeukins & Chandler, tu mneh the same kind of business as Mr. George, said there was x wavs # demand lor bis scum, but be didn’t think there had been much improvement in business in a general way. The banks ali had idie money and people seemed airaid to venture. THE COFFEE TRADE, D. J. Foley, probably at the head of the coffee trade in Baltimore, satd the grocery crade bad | increased largely since the adjourninent of Con- gress. Congress threw grocery men back very much by tampering as to wita the tariff, leaving tuem in a state O: doubt what they proposed to do, but they pad never had a targer trade than since the 4tu ol March, He thougat the trade generally of the city Was increasing. Tne cotfee business in this city Was almosc an exceptioned feature. The | facilities tor disiributing Co ail points were ansur- Above expressed a8 equally applicable to their | own branch of ta All atuributed the decay and depression to the present deplorable politi condition of Lousiana and to the iack of ranire acililies, that is to redeem New Orieans, but no practical method of achieving the end appears to be enter- tained. The grocery trade 1s propabiy the most Hourishing in the cily. [tts gradually extending its area and its prospects Were never better. Some compiain of the banks and the prevating Want o! confidence, which prevents trade from dexeioniy but all appear to be more or less pros- ne THE BANKS. Toe presidents oi the Canal and other banks complain of the lack of business. Plenty of capi- tal, with but Jew safe opportunities of using it, 13 kept on hand. The prospects were good, now- ever, of a speedy and heavy cemand jor Western produce and plantation supplies. The financial Condition of the Community wus good, because it Was not creating any liabilities, An improved condition of aifairs might be aplictpaced, but no great revival, until bad laws were abolished and | Failroads built. Business would be good next fall, because the country Is so bare of gouds, and New Orleans mast tvel the effect more or less. BALTIMORE. VARIOUS OPINIONS ON THE BUSINESS FUTURE— PROSPECTS OF THE DIFFERENT TRADES— GROWTH OF THE COFFEE IMPORTATION. BALTIMORE, March 27, 1875. For the purpose of ascertaining the business Prospects of the city of Baltimore during the coming season your correspondent spent yester- | day and to-day in seeking the views of the leading merchants, bankers and business men. The out- look, upon the whole, is favorable, as will be seen from the Interviews given below; but there were many who did not entertain sanguine expecta- tions. All seemed to agree that, whatever might be the state of the spring trade, there was a healthy tone among the merchants and business men, which indicated that there would be no failures of any moment. Many whose names are not mentioned below were visited. The effort has been to give the names and opintons of those who are thoroughly representative men and who are the acknowledged leaders in their respective branches of business. VIEWS OF BANKERS, The President of the National Mechanics’ Bank spoke most cheeringly of the business prospects. ‘The depositors in this bank, as the name would indicate, embrace the leading manufacturers; but the heaviest depositors are the copper and sugar merchants. The President said that the deposits were unusually large ‘for this season of the year from ail branches of industry. Drafts were also larger and notes were met promptly. He thought there were too many disposed to give & gloomy picture, Trade had been kept back in consequence of the ice blooxade; but from the evidence before him be thought there would bea steady increase of the business of the city, ‘The cashier of the Merchants’ National Bank, which has the largest capital of any bank in Balti- more, informed your correspondent that the pro: ects of a revival of business did not appear so good now as a few weeks ago. Tnere were other banks which had larger amounts on deposit, but this bank preferred tne safe and conservative Method of duing business, and it was from on Acquaintance with their customers that he sormed his opinion. All look to ‘lexas as the great market | The depositors of the First National Bank are | Mainly those engaged in the tobacco and cotton trade. The casnier sald that it was rather too soon to venture an opinton. The ice blockade had seri- ously interfered witn or retarded trage, which would have veen felt in the most prosperous days, All he could say was that the merchants were hopeful, and from present indications there wi no ground or believing there would not be a gen- eral revival of business in all its oranches. A HOPEFUL PROSPECTS. The banking house of McKim & Co. was next visited. The elder member of the firm aoes not share the opinion that there will be a permanent revival of business this spring, and in this he 1s sustained by aiarge number of the old bankers and merchants. was confident that with the full resumption of navigation there would be a sound revival of con- fidence in ali branches of business, His opinion Was that When tbe large quantities of wheat now heid back were shipped and the roads began to realize the benefit of increased ireights there Would be a demand for iron which would carry with it improvement in the mining regions gen- erally, He looked for restored confidence in Wall strect this spring, and also @ healtny increase on all railroad stocks. dohoston Brothers, also private bankers, judge from the inquiry for money that business is not Ouly reviving, but that there will o@ @ large de- Mand for iron this season to repair the ola ralle roads and a corresponding revivai of Work in the Cou regions. ‘the ireighi# of the leading trunk roads Were duty imcreasing, and everytning seemed to indicate @ general resumption of busi-+ ness. Mr. Wilson, of Wilson, Coulston & Co, encral opiwion was tiat matters wer ng up. The peopie o| Balttwore—that is, ousin Tecovercd iroin the panic Of 1673, us Was instanced by the uigu price of local securities, They are rapiuly retrieving, however, their old footing. Paper making Was much more extensive than it bad been ior a long time, and this was ono of the best 1udications of a revival of conflueuce. EFFECT OF THE KAILKOAD WAR. A Visitto the nouse of Kobert Garrett & Sons, One Of the Oldest banking bouses in the country, elicited Vary wach tie same CUNCIUIOUS As above, Oue ol the junior members of the rm suid Dus heas wos uinproving generally, and tbat tie rail: rowd fgiutin which bi engaged against Colone Scott had brough. @ very large amount of fride to Baitiaore, Wiarch had Beretoiore sought other commercial centres. LEATHRR AND IRON. Brooks, Rogers & Uo, voot and shoe deals Whose trade is principally with the winin regivns, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, sary Ghd bastert Onto, realized the effect o the general Stagnation, but taougit they would do a good Spring (rade, and @ betver one next Jali, dis firm shaved the op nion that it would be a your bojore there Would ve & youu revival oF VUBLuess, pas Carey, 480 @ heavy dealer th boots and siloes, Whose Ufado Js in the Atlantic States south Of Maryland, Alabama and Leunessee, Aad toe Te ports 7Ou Bis canvassers Were Very good, though ine trade Was somewhat backWurd tha seasOD, The Suuih, he thought, Was pretiy well stocked, Bad tt Would take Some time belore the demands OF (Wat Seotion Would 08 i6it in & prosperous de eres. Oniy With tus Fosudiption of spouse pays passed, and he supposed the trade in thas arucie was fully egual to that of New York. ‘The coffee market is at present overstocked, in | consequence of tne large orders sent ouc iu Janu ary and February in anticipation of a restoration ol the duty;,but there are no sins of failures among those’ dealing largely im the arucie. The demand 1s good und indicative of Increased trade this spring. I'he heaviest importers have not re- duced tueir orders, believing there Wii be a good market for all that ts brougnt here. FLOUR. Mr. Magill, of the firm of Charles A. Gambrill & Co., the largest dealers in flour in the city, and With @ nawoual reputation for “Gambrili’s family,” said that a8 lar «3 his personal experience ex- tended, business Was very lair. There was acon. stant demand lor flour, of course, and there hac never been any diminution in the business Of the firm, but the grain trade had increased immensely recently and was at present one of the most ex- tensive branches of industry in the city. SUGAR, Mr. Ahrens, of the firm of Stirling & Ahrens, extensive sugar retiners—probavly the largest in his business, Since 1t embraced articles of prime necessity. He thougnt there was a gradual recuperation taking place trom the panic oi 1873, and @ general revivifying of business smterests and prosperity m the city must occar unless some untoward event, like a panic, shoud happen. People displayed more confidence, and there was @ healthiness about busmess that was Very en- couraging. CANNED GOODS. Mr. Myer,.of the firm of I. J. Myer & Co., the largest packing establishment in Baltimore, said trade bad been dail for ail kinds of canned goous. | It was, ma measure, due to the general | stagnation ia business, put he attributed 1% more to the {act that large quan- uties of iraudulent light grace packed goods of all kinds had been thrast upon the market and had very materialiy lessened the de- mind. ‘frade was Very dull generally. The banks | were not doing much. All tne money business men wanted could be got from them upon very easy terms. Mr. Myer spoke somewhat despond- tremendous shower o1 oyster suells tuat were oured from the second story witnout abatement, he would be very upt to conclude tuat that geaie- man scarcely needed to complain. WHISKEY. Mr. Flack, of Thomas J. Flack & Sons, very ex- tensive whiskey distillers, didn’t thtnk trade was likely to Increase. ‘the wuiskey busivess, he said, was not looking up. eliect, a8 people were airaid to risk their money upon a divierence of only a lew cents, One of the members of the largest whiskey house 10 this city said there was no diminution of vheir trade in the South, and they were able to collect all their bills as promptly as ever. ‘ney did not expect to do an increased business (lis season, bul all that was done was as good as any Western business. He had no reason to appre- hend Cuil times, but was hopelul of @ steady im- provement in all branches of trade. DRY GuoDs. ‘The dry goods house of Hamilton Easter is to Baltimore what tne house o! A. I. Stewart is to New York. The business head of the house sal they had laid in a large stock both in the whol sale and retail departments. anticipating a brisk demand for goods ac casu prices, jor in the man- agement of tie bouse (ue said) the business plan of the HERALD was faltniuiy followed, of trade Which would seem to indicate that times were getting better was beginning to develop, and he bad no reason to anticipate disappoint- ment in doing a large business. Mr. Cator, of Armstrong, Cator & Co., per haps the largest dealers in their particular live on the American Continent, suid the ‘crease in the trade was fally up to the last three seasons. ‘Ihe opentog trade had been as active as usual, is business lay with the South and West. The pauic had exer- cised quite a serious influence on the better clus: of trade, but they Were now recovering it. ‘Th trade here, be thought, would be about as usual | ana deeidedly betver than 1a New York, TOBACCO, The Brothers Boninger, very extensive dealers in tobacco, suid their trade was not much affected by the panic of 1873. It depends very much upon the crop and upon the oraers of the French gov> | ernment, which bad not yet been made pubic, The crop in Ohio this season had been light, but he thought the trade would be about as usual, ST. LOUIS. THE PRODUCE TRADE PROMISING WELI-—s LARGE WHEAT CROP EXPECTED—SCARCITY OF CBEDIT. Sr. Lous, Mo., March 24, 1875, All things considered, the business prospects of St. Louis for the coming season are very flatter- ing. In @ few branch off, both in demand ana supply, but this variance is not great enough to disturb the general har- mony of business arrangements. Mr. D. P, Rowland, of Soryock & Rowland, thinks that the outlook is fine. There is, accord- ing to him, every prospect for a big wheat crop. rule bigh. augur a large crop of wheat and corn. trade will be immense, but bacon will bring good Late springs like tle present always trade, every planter that can get his ground ready naving prepared ior it, and prices wiil be low. HIDES AND LEATHER, A. Krieckhaus & Co. say tnat in hides The export Were it Messrs. and leather business is very dull. trade ts ali that keeps the market alive, | not lor that prices would be twenty per cent ‘The junior member, however, | iy | lower, A8 proof of this the class of goods ex. ported is twenty per ceut higher than tbat consumed at home. The wide trade has inereased — greatly during the pass few years, and has drawa largely York. Formerly it would not pay to meddie with this trade. For harness eather St. Louts 1a toe largest market in the country. The trade, how- ever, has been dullsince 1873. Previous to that country mei chants could buy on their own time. THE WHEAT CROP. George Bain & Brotner report the prospects in the flour busioess as Good, il the present weatner continues, List year’s crvp is neld back by many, but snould good Weather set in—and tuere is every Brvspect that it will—there will be @ brisk trade. ‘be wheat crop isexpected to be good. At present most mills are stopped and large stocks Bast and South are unsold, Messrs. Bain & Brother tried the experiment of sending 30,000 bushels to Kng- land, Ireland and Scotiaud, but it proved a failure, BANKING BUSINESS. In the banking business vbere ts a more con- servative leeliug than bas ever been felt. Accom modation paper is nowhere thouzut of; tm tact, the vest security is demauded, and if a man can- hot give that ue bas to go by ihe board. interest. Country merchants have been Jooking for city paper and bave been surprised at its scarcity, Nevertheless, it is not to be understood that the paper of our merchants is not readily uc- ceptable every where, our correspondent interv' dry gouges men, real cataie among all found @ ci Of business during to wed lumber men, i and ote; and t belie! in wa inerease uing season. PonrtLanp, Me., March 80, 1875, At the annual meeting of the Merchants’ Ex. e today it was voted that a meeting of the Secretary of the lreasury aled car bases, Whigd, It Was claimed, Was @ greai injury anu injustice to the commerce 01 Portland by renewing @ system pesiey jurpidden by Congress aud the ireaty or asbington. THE JERS POLIOH OUTRAGE. dhe trial ol Omieers Duncan and Lott, for the Mansiaugiter of William Bagley, was continued at Jersey City yesterday, Buth deiendants gave extensive evidence in their own benall, cuse Was summed uy ou both Kides, ond jury wore oniy abwenut ton minutes, w Fendered a Verdier of gauty ore, They Wi the hen they aimst bob prigons @ thee rensauded fur 8 wet Baltunore—said there bad been littie falling of tn | enty ol business, but i one could judge irom the | ‘The tari had put jittie | ‘The class | of trade there 1s a faliing | Corn, too, will be largely produced and prices will | The hog. prices. There is a good prospect for a big tobacco | trom | Tennessee, Mississipp| and part of Texa¥, which | Were tributary to Southern markets aud to New | in many | leading enterprises there has been & cessation of | wine the | | AMUSEMENTS. ENGLISH OPERA—KELLOGG IN BROOKLYN. The people of Brooklyn had a foretaste last | evening of what they may expect of a week's treat | of Engiis) opera under the auspices of Miss Kellogg. The occasion waa the benefit of Wuliam Castle, who sung the part of Fra Diavolo in Auber’s opera of that name, Mme. Van Zandt and elietted the applause Iriends she can always count . Mr, Castle, the ben seiaire, ut, Uniortunately sung the part of Zerlin of the numerous upon in Brook): r sane neve w his ug bis sweetn ted tn too large a Notwithstanding this poera Was admirably rendered, tie principal ¢ ‘ters, with Mr, and Mrs, Seguin, belug called before the curtain at che close, MME. DE RYLHER'S CONCERD. | The pretty little hali at the corner of Fiftn ave- hue and Fourteenth street was crowded to the | doors last night on the ogcasion of the benetit con- cert of a genuine favorite with the New York pub- lic in the iyric ne. Tae jar véndyiciaire sang a number of seiections, whick were well calculated to bring Out the best qualities of her syipainetic and lighly traiued mezzo-soprano voice; Miss Annie Borie essayed the “Jewel Song’ trom “Faust? with su 34. R, Thomas deciaimed the sorrows of Don Stiviain Verdi's “In:enc3” trom “Ernant;’ Fritsch, the tenor, chanted the praises of Barve Bleue and Pattison piayed a few of his plano selections, joyable periormance and worthy of the artistic fame of the lady who gave It. ACADEMY OF MUSIOC—LOTOS CLUB SOIREE AND RECEPTION, The Academy was in gala attire last night, and 80 were the heavquarvers of the Lotos Ciub. A concert and a nutaber of operatic selections trom Fiovow’s latest work formed the musical pro- gramme, ‘The artists were Miss Phiilipps, Miss Colville, Mr. Karl, Mr. Orlandipi, Mr. Muis, and the director was Mr. Cuoiby, Tie house looked Very pretty im its gala dress, and the cluv house | presented the attractioa ol A display ol piciures by eminent artists, Tue singers acquitted them- selves very sausfactorily, and the entire evening proved to be one of enjoyment and pleasure. Woop'’s MUSEUM. “Castile Garden,” in four acts, is the attraction offered to his patrons by Mr. Wooa. It is rather Inclined to the sensational order, but full of wit a@ud humor and scenes of a striking character. ‘The hero is a jive American, who goes to Ireland | Jor the benefit of his newith, meets Cush, a charm. ing young lady, and becomes enamoured the country, especially its .emule products. ‘The above parts, represented by Mr. red. G. | Weander through iour acis in @ kind of happy maagner, enitvened vy innumerable incidents of mianulactured ior the occasion. MRS. CONWAY'S BROOKLYN THEATRE, A splendid house greeted Mrs, Conway’s return to the boards of the Brooklyn Tueatre, the scene of Many past triumplis to the talented manageress, Last evening the house was crowded by a mos: enthusiastic audience, whose nearty plauaiis were first elici.ed aud inspired by tae preseuce of Mrs. Conway, aiter a tong absence caused by her Tecent ilipess. ‘tae enthusiasm thus first awakened never flagged, the excellent acting of Mrs. Conway, admirably supported by the old favorites Of tae house, sustaining 1t io the end, | The plece seiected ior the cecasion was “Green Bushes; or, ne Huntress of the Mississippi,’* Mrs. | Couway appearing as Mme, St. Aubert. Connor o’Kennedy was personated by Mr Frank Bogue. THEATRE COMIQUE. Revivals are the order of the day, and the re- vival of “The Mulligan Gaards” and “The Torribio Example,” witn Harrigan and Hart, were the principal events at the Comique last Monday | night. Lefingwell, an actor ol considerabie merit, also made his appearance in his well worn sketch reception. The otuer novelty ac Kicimoud Sisters, Signor Cesareo Saurez and | Gridiu and Rice distinguished tuemseives, wou hearty approvals from the large audience assem- bied. Tis 18 really the best variety theatre 1n tue city and affords an abuauant bill every evening. OLYMPIC THEATRE. The programme at this estavlishment for the week 1s a complete change ‘rom that of last, and includes many very attractive ieatures, Leona Dare, im her mid-air performance; George Ss. Kuight, the best of the Dutch character actors, in a funny sketch; the Nelsons, iu their gymnastic leate, and Miss Nuily Pieris, are ouly a jew of the many attractions. Lhe burlesque o! “Kridolin; or, The Is!and of Monkeys,” was given last nigut toa full house, 10 addition ty the variety programe, and engaged tne strength of the company, wita some new additions. THE NEW PARK (COLONEL SINN’s) THEATRE. The people of Brooklyn have settled down toa thorough appreciation of the entertaining novel agement. Notwitnstanding the attractions at the Brooklyn Theatre and the Academy of Music the Park was crowded last evening. All tae bright | particular stars of Colonel Siun’s galaxy appeared in their several spheres, and euch and all bud t admirers, ‘The programme was a inost enteral ing ‘une, a8 Was evinced by the hearty laughie aud enjoyment of ail. TONY PASTOR IN BROOKLYN, | “Grand Combination Company” in their extensive | Programme of amusements was anticipated had its | reality lass evening. Toe inimitable Tony was greeted with o full house, aod, wito tals incent and the hearty welcome he personaly received, | the progra ..me o/ the evening wae carried out in | @ nigbly entertaining manner, | SAN FRANCISCO MINSTRELS, The famous trio, Birch, Backus and Wambold, gave @ very pleasing burnt-cork entertainment last evening, and were assisted by a number of clever artists, In the first part Wambold was encored tn the ballad “Little Robin, Teli Kisty 1’m Coming,” and Mr, Birch made a decided sensation with “soltd Dishes to the Front.’ After five or six different acts of au amustag nature the per- jormance concluded with *‘Kistori’s Medea,” in Which the great actress was portrayed by Ricardo, and Add Ryman appeared as Jason, with Backas anu Birch as First and Second Seniineis, if langhter can be set down as a sign of approbation the burlesque maue a decided hit, as the audience laughed themselves tuto tits. MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC NOTES, The Listermann Philharmonic Club, of Boston, Will give @ grand instrumental concert at Parepa Hall on Thursday evening. Miss Sophie Flora Heilbron will give a piano recital at Steinway Hall on Thursday afternoon, in which she will be assisted by several local artists. Mile, Mohalbi, an American artist of European reputation and Italian training, will appear next week in “Ernani” at the Academy of Music, under Maretaek's managemeat, Mile, Aimée arrived in town Monday night. Shets in excellent health and spirits and on Wednesday Will appear at the Lyceum in Offenbach’s famous opéra bouge “La Jolie Pariumeuse.” Gilmore is making great preparatiens jor his summer bight concerts at the Hippodrome, which place will be transformed into a beautiful summer garden. The fame of his military band is now world wide. The final performance of tne “Shaughraun’ at Wallack’s takes piace this evening. in tue alter- noon there will be a matings, The crush during the last few days has been something phenomenal, and Mr. Boucicault may be said to be leaving New York at the food tide of his success, On Thursday night he appears in Boston, where, no douot, an equally flattering success awaits him. A graud dramatic performance for the benefit of the poor o/ the Dominican Fathers’ church wilibe given at Terrace Garden Theatre to-morrow night, AD excellent programme will be presented, Miss Louise Syivester hag kindly volunteered to piay the part of Nan in “Nap, the Goon for Nothing,” @ character in whieh she has won high praise, | “Bryan O'Lina,” al Bogagements,” witn several naw features, will make the entertain. ment & most pleasant one, Among the attractions of Easter week few have & higher claim to pablo recognition than the grand matings entertainment in aid of the Central Dispensary of New York to-morrow, at the Fifth Avenue Theatre, The programme occasion tacludes the “Big Bonanza,” “The Happy Pair,” “A Builia @ China Shop,” with @ briliiant Jinale by Dan Bryant and nis minstrois, The Central Dispensary has claims upom public support Whioh there is o0 reason to doubt will be tomore row eiternova generously recognised, | Macder and the young and gilted artistic Rena | Mr. | It Was a Very attractive and en- | | him vo 100k shar an exciting nature that toe prolific auiuor has | the one, forbids any American Tank from auy foreign Powe; in & Roman Catbolic court a cardinal, citizen @ this Repubiie, would, percuance, lake precedence of the American Minister rr in former Roman Catholic courts, France, cardinais will only rau« in future accora- ing to the precedence granted them by the law 01 the land, under the Empire, and on public occasions were presented with Senators. CARDINAL M’CLOSKEY,. SOME REASONS WHY HE WILL NOT AND CAMNOR DECLINE THE PROFFERED HONOR. To Tur Epirok or THe HERALD:— One of your contemporaries appeals to the patriotism of our newly created American Cardinal to resign the diguity conferred vpon him by the Holy See. Two reasons in particular are urged a@ levermining motives of this act of resignation. that the constitution of tue United stdtea clrizens accepting title or ; and the other, that jent at tnat court. To these two points, urged, I am fain to believe, not by the veteran editor of the Kvening Post, but by some one of bis unstatesmaniike aids, the answer is simple enough. bo longer a secular ioreign Power and conlert The Roman Pontif ts no temporal ttle or rank; and, be sides, even were the old etiquette reguiating the precedence of cardinals to be universally observed in European courts (which is not the case), the likelihood ta that even in that of in France they ranked a3 Senators In Austria and Spain thelr civil rank, and the consequent order of pre cedence, are quite undetermined, and subject to the oniy law likeiy to prevail for along time ta both these countries—the revolutionary law of thé unloreseen. But were the old laws of court etique: te to regulate all future court receptions, | Maintain that the sab-editors of the Evening Posi cannot have more at heart the sovereign respect dae to our representatives abroad Loan Abranam Lincvlo, Wilhnam H. Seward and a long line of American Presidents and statesmen, back to Wasniugion and Frankun, ‘There are other, and these peremptory reasons, Which make it imperative on Cardinal McCloskey not only 0c to decline the office imposea upon him against his wil, but to acceptit. Ana tbesé were Well Known to Lincoln and is Cabin to the many administrations that wave successively Sougnt to have a representative of the Americ: Church in the Pope’s Supreme Council and in the Coliege ef Papal Klectors. I uave purposeiy used the word “oce’ instead of “honor” in speaking Of the cardinalate. There ig every imagiuable reasoa why the millions of Roman Catholics m the Union (net to speak o the other Catholic popuiations or North and Sout America) should have in the numerous congrega- which preside over tne admioise ersai Courco, in the consisturies wiich decide te weigutiest ing its wetjare and inthe c the Pope's successor one Man at least Whose vil tues, learning, ability and experience may enable ly aiter the American laterests, This, i L mistake hut, 18 tue view advocated by the HERALD, heid by Lincoln, Seward and other enlightened American statesmea. ‘This, too, has been the view o: every Cousiderable organ of Ro man Catholic onion in Ainerica, Apart, then, from the personal repugnance felt by the emineat personage nimself tor mere rank d its responsibilities, there are conscientious sons of duty toward the Church and her best re interests which must forvid a reiusal of the bigo oillce conierred, e@ have jong wished to have a worthy repre- sentative of Roman Catholic interests 1a that au- gst Senate of the Churca which has outhved the oldest and migitiest empires. We have, thank God and the enlightened wisdom of Piv Nono, jase what We prayed or. And we mean to keep him, PUBLICOLA, TEA PARTY. LADY WASHINGTON ENTERTAINMENT IN AID Of THE ‘‘SHELTERING anMs.”” The first reception of the Lady Washington Tea Party in ald of the “Sheltering Arms” took place | lastevening at the Seventy-first regiment arm- of “Romeo Jailer Jenkins,” and met with a kindly | ta, In which tue | ties of the Now Park Thestre under its new man- | The Tony Pastor travelling company appeared | Monday evening im the Academy of Music, Brook. | jyn. The pleasure with which this visit of the | eee ory, Broadway aud Thirty-first street, and was @ grand success, Tne room was elaborately deco. rated, and on every hand were fags and banners So arranged as 10 produce the prettiest imagina ble effect. The floor was filled with tables, on which @ great variety of fancy articles were ex. posed for saie, each of which was attended by ladies in appropriate costumes, A large Knicker- Docker kitchen was also one of the at- tractions, everything being arranged with reierence to the time which the name of the Jestival recalls. Bowers of evergreens, beneatn which ladies were vending baskets of rare flowers aud bouquets, commanded much avtention, but that parc of the hali set apart for dancing had so many Visitors it was almost impossible to move about. The ladies aod gentiemen in char, of the entertainment were indefatigable in their eiforrs to muke the occasion pleasant, and their Success was uncoudted. ‘Ibe dresses of the Jadies Were of the most costly character, and the artistic styles in whicu the Martha Washington p was fitted to heads arranged in the highest ort of the hairdressers was something very Pretty and unique. All the gentlemen were in evening costuine, and woeu room was obtained the Oancing hall reminded one, in & small way, Of course, of the Academy of Music during tue Charity Bull. The secoad and last reception o: the tea party will be held this evening. CHURCH FAIR. THN PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF BT, MARY THE VIRGIN HOLDING 4 FarR. The fair in ald of the Protestant Kpiscopal Church of St. Mary tne Virgin was opened tass evening at the Masonic Temple, and will be con tinued during the week. ‘The programme adopted is quite novel. Apart irom a large dim play of articles,'1t has been the idea to arrange everything geographically. Each cuuntry has its proper stall and representative, which afford @ great variety of costumes, making @ sce! of Much beauty. An exceilent baud has bi guged, and will enliven each evening with eX: Cellent music. The ovject of the fair is to assist in paying the caurch debis. ST. VINCENT FERRER’S CHURCH NO? DANGEROUS, To THE EpiToR OF THE HERALD:— In @ list of churches, published in the HERaLy on the 26h inst., that are dangerous on account ofthe want of proper means of exit, the Churcn of St. Vincent Ferrer, on Lexington avenue and Sixty-sixth street, is mentioned, While fully recognizing the watchfulness of tne HERALD Over public health and saiety, I, as one of the congrega- tion of St. Vincent Ferrer, must protest against that church veimg attacked with tne epithet “dangerous”? and thereby causing unnecessary alarm to whatis probabiy tne largest congrega- tion in New York. There are nine doors to the churcu—three at the frout, on Lexington avenus One in che centre of each side Of the courch an Jour doors in the saactuary—ail opening outwar nd they nave been in the same condition fro! the building of the church. PRM HE THE DOCK COMMISSIONERS. Rarely does a public officer asx for the reduce tion of his salary, yet rom the subjoined commu. nication to she Legisiature tt will appear that the President of the Dock Board asks that his pay be abbreviated by $500 per annum, It wil also be noted that the Board have made great economi- cal reforms, and that their petition that the mem- bers of the Board be placed as to pay on a par th the other city commissioners is only reason: able:— To tne LaGistatcns oF tux State or New Yora:— ‘Iho Board of Commissioners of the Department of Docks of toe clty,ot New York respectiutiy wnemorialise e Lugislature to pass the accompanying act to rega- late the salaries of the ‘Commissioners for the rolowag Feasons, to Witi— Under the act of 1871 r ere were five Commi: ing @ toa: nnual Expenditure for these Ye $30,000, independent of clerical and other office ex: penves. AO be No doubt that these aod @xpenses Were excossive aud unreasonable. Under ine charter of 1873 the Dock Commission was reduced to re the salaries to be paid were as follows a, Ot ident. ‘Yo the Commissioners. .. Subseqnently the Kngi don and atter th jc o! Dece! jt just tie uses account bave io made to extent of $1600), ‘the duties of the Commissioners of Peake are ae onside And andaous, affecting. se they do, one interes of the cit hey ol and i tr eee map sduty. Tie Comminsioners welt resident dovo.e ali their time to the duties of t iseereenacar dita hina shout et ity now paid to ‘his apsoaiave sioners, it ia, therefore, respectfully submitt facts herein sated iat thes 1 Ol ther ajuat nor an ve per annum, ton ny I. Sandee 3 Potwe Be teats a