Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1848-04-13

The Corporation Wood Law.


The Corporation Wood Law.
On the 18th ult. published the official copy of
the miniature Tariff ordinance, which the Wing City
Council in their superatiye wisdom, saw fit to pass
for the projection of the purchasers of wood The
law goes into effect the first of May,-it should
have been the first Of ApriL-"sll fools day." And
as our readers may possibly not remember all the
quirements of it, give the following concise sy
nopsis Of the law.
SEC. 1, provides that all vehicles used for carrying
wood, from six-horse team down TO a wheebarrow,
shall proceed their arrival in town, to of the
four specified ''camp grounds" where they shall be
drawn up in marshal array, and await the orders of
the Inspectors General who will under the authority
of the City Council under the title Of "duy author
lied of wood"
SEC. 2, prescribes that all fire wood offered for
sale shall be one of three specified engths,-to-wit
tw feet three and half feet four feet in length,
Ito accommodate the different varieties Of cooking
stoves y and further that it shall be unlawful for
fire wood to be sold otherwise than by the cord, and
that cord is to be officially measured and certified to
by the 'proper officer! ~ [If less than cord be
bought or sold both parties will be liable to be fined
$lOg
Sec 3, provides that all persons bringing wood
for sale shall give their to tho city nqusitor or
his deputy They are to Judge of these functonaries
especially Of the deputy.-by "the cut of their
jib - and if they refuse obey this reasonable
qurement, they to be whipped or ''put in quod,
at the discretion of the "Cy Council" and ''as the
case may require"
Sec A, provides that the City Council shall appoint
four collectors of the port" Measures, TO be
stationed at the stands aforesaid, whose duty it
shall beto measure and inspect all fire wood brought
TO said stands The fees of measurers, the of
half dime load. to be paid by the sellers of the
wood.
SEC. s. Any person offending against any of the
provisions of the ordinance is declared liable to a
fine of from to ten dollars. with 'costs Of sult,
Il. e., lawyers fees &c. This we suppose includes
both seller and buyer.
If this law shall be carried into execution our farm
ers, who bring wood to town for sale, will have a
small chance of learning the immediate practical
benefits of protective Tariff. And those who buy
wood will also learn how much cheaper they get
it, under such system of restriction, than under a
system Of free trade. If the farmers are wise, and
bring wood for sale at ALL they will charge the pur-
chaser not only the additional inspection fee but for
the time they will be obliged to fool away at the
islands"
Seriously, this wood law is an arrant humbug, and
nothing else and the city council ought every oil
them to be sCundly spanked for making it. Strange
how exceedingly foolish men will act who clothed
with little brief authority! What do the people Of
this town or county want of such law! Are they
incapable of buying selling load of wood, ex-
cept under the direction Of guardians! If so, the
probate court should AXE the business in hand or the
whole crowd should he sent TO the Insane Hospital.
But the people not such fools. They are ca
pabe of transacting this kind of kitchen business
ever and the enactment of the council is uncalled or
and absurd the highest degree.
There is no excuse for the Council, except that
they wanted create three four Offices, In
which to install lOafers who are too lazy to work.
1t is a shame that every day enactiDg some
such foolish law, which has been exploded in the
eastern States and municipal corporations. after years
and years of trial. 1t is because We have so many
dough-hoads to legisate for u.s. who think it neces-
sary to do something to exhibit their smartness.
If we have public wood inspection at all, it should
be voluntary, the option of both buyer and seller,
but not compulsory, this foolish ordinance pro-
yides.
We hope the Council will be brought to a sense OF
their folly and that they will change the character Of
the law at once.