Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 May 1885 — GENERAL. [ARTICLE]

GENERAL.

There were 197 failures in United States during the week, against 167 in the preceding week, and 132, 149, and 118 in the corresponding weeks of 1884, 1883, and 1882, respectively. About 86 per cent, were those of small traders whose capital was less than $5,000 BradstreeVh Journal, in its weekly commercial summary, says: “The movement of general merchandise during the past week has been less than during the preceding seven days, as reported by special telegrams. —ln*' the YVest the activity of farming operations has* contributed to depress business with the country merchants. This is particularly the caso in the Northwest, where special efforts have been made to increase the acreage of spring wheat. The general business situation throughout the country is not satisfactory. At the East there are no mere favorable reports. The distribution from New York and Boston has been of moderate proportions in leading lines. Neither dry goods nor ware have had any stimulus in the demand from the interior. The wool market has witnessed some little renewed activity, but prices have not improved. There is no change and no signs of an improvement in iron, in anthracite coal, or petroleum. The industrial outlook is for a eontiuance of the average of labor disturbances for some time to come. On June 10 the prospect is that an extended strike in the iron and steel districts may take place. Grocery staples move unsatisfactorily. Coffee is lower and weak. Dairy products are in buyefs’ favor and dull/” The Secretary of the Navy has received the following telegram from Admiral Jouett at Colon: “The force which came in the Acapulco has sailed for New York. The Iroquois’ crew has been relieved. Everything is quiet here. ” The Councilor Catholic prelates, recently in session at Baltimore, decided to locate the new Catholic university at the national capital... .The schooners May and Merriac, which sailed from Nova Scotia for the West Indies, are given up for lost, with, their crews and cargoes.

Gen. Middleton’s forces have had a brush with the half breeds near Bjjtoche Crossing, on the „ Upper Saskatchewan. Several daring charges were made on both sides, and both regulars and rebels suffered severely. It appears, from the telegraphic reports of the affair, that Gen. Middleton advanced on the rebels at 5 o’clock on the morning of the 9th inst. He found the half-breeds firing on the steamer Northcote from both banks, and the boat drifting upon a sandbar. Capt. Howard, with a Gatling gun, twice drove the enemy to flight, but they rallied-and fought bravely Until night approached. The battle was a general ©fie. Six men are said to have been killed and eighteen wounded, while the rebel loss is estimated at seventyfive. John McLane, ot* Bismarck, just returned to St. Paul from YVinnipeg, where he has been delivering, horses, teams, and supplies to the Canadian Government, says the Government has advices that men from Chicago, New York, and Boston are with Riel, and that a master mind, not Riel’s, is directing the movements of the breeds. Old-timers regard Middleton’s success at Batouehe as absolutely necessary to prevent an Indian uprising, which would be disastrous. All supplies are short, and more must como from this side of the line. Northern Dakota is now being flrained of horses, hay, oats, etc. It is believed that about 1.500 breeds are in the field, and 6,000 Indians are ready to take the war-path. There are but 4,000 troops to oppose them.