Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales	$ 462,731	$ 458,550	$ 1,242,466	$ 1,235,431
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	214,239	201,039	563,363	547,586
Selling and administrative expenses	145,642	143,056	437,021	426,697
Total operating costs and expenses	359,881	344,095	1,000,384	974,283
Operating profit	102,850	114,455	242,082	261,148
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(4,504)	(3,810)	(12,907)	(10,917)
Interest and investment income	111	137	349	466
Other - net	2	(236)	(787)	(851)
Total other income (expense)	(4,391)	(3,909)	(13,345)	(11,302)
Income before income taxes	98,459	110,546	228,737	249,846
Income taxes	29,071	32,667	67,250	75,153
Net income	$ 69,388	$ 77,879	$ 161,487	$ 174,693
Average common shares	60,578	63,482	61,235	63,888
Incremental common shares attributable to outstanding stock options, restricted stock, and deferred stock-based compensation	521	659	524	631
Average common shares and common share equivalents	61,099	64,141	61,759	64,519
Basic earnings per share	$ 1.15	$ 1.23	$ 2.64	$ 2.73
Diluted earnings per share	1.14	1.21	2.61	2.71
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.22	$ 0.18	$ 0.66	$ 0.54