The directors of the Northern Pacific road held a meeting in New York, on Friday, of last week. A letter was read from Henry Villard, resigning the presidency of the company because of nervous prostration and in deference to the interests of the stockholders. The resignation was accepted, and a special election was ordered to choose a successor. The directors voted Mr. Villard $10,000 per annum for his services. Vice President Oakes reported the line in first-class order except one hundred miles near the junction west of Helena. It is understood that the Oregon Navigation company will reduce its dividends to 8 per cent. The Oregon Transcontinental has raised $3,000,000 in Boston with which to lift its floating debt. MARKETS MARKET REPORTS. OFFICE OF THE PRAIRIE FARMER, CHICAGO. Jan 8, 1884. FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL. The extremely cold weather of the past week interfered with business very generally. In financial circles, as in others, the arctic wave made matters rather quiet. Early in the present week, however, business at the banks was active. The arrival of delayed mail trains added to the volume of business; but while there was much activity, the monetary situation remained about the same as usual. In the loan market quotations were 6@7 per cent. Eastern exchange sold at 70@75c per $1,000 premium. Government securities are as follows: 4's coupons, 1907 Q. Apr. 123-1/4 4's reg., 1907 Q. Apr. 123-1/4 4-1/2's coupon, 1891 Q. Mar. 114-1/8 4-1/2's registered, 1891 Q. Mar. 114-1/8 3's registered Q. Mar. 100 GRAIN AND PROVISIONS. The leading produce markets have been irregular for several days past, and the tendency, in the main, was downward. Yesterday wheat was moderately active, but the market was depressed at the close. There was a drop, also, in corn, oats, mess pork, and lard. FLOUR was quiet at about the following rates. Choice to favorite white winters $5 25 @ 5 50 Fair to good brands of white winters 4 75 @ 5 00 Good to choice red winters 5 00 @ 5 50 Prime to choice springs 4 75 @ 5 00 Good to choice export stock, in sacks, extras 4 25 @ 4 50 Good to choice export stock, double extras 4 50 @ 4 65 Fair to good Minnesota springs 4 50 @ 4 75 Choice to fancy Minnesota springs 5 25 @ 5 75 Patent springs 6 00 @ 6 50 Low grades 2 25 @ 3 50 WHEAT.--Red winter, No. 2 96 @ 98c; car lots of spring, No. 2, sold at 93-3/4 @ 95c; No. 3, do. 77-1/2 @ 81c. CORN.--Moderately active. Car lots No. 2, 57-3/8 @ 57-5/8c; rejected, 46-1/2; new mixed, 48 @ 48-1/4c. OATS.--No. 2 in store, closed 33-1/2 @ 33-5/8. RYE.--May, in store 58 @ 58-1/2. BARLEY.--No. 2, 62 @ 63c; No. 3, 44c. FLAX.--Closed at $1 41. TIMOTHY.--$1 25 per bushel. Little doing.