Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1855-10-12
High Prices, &c.

The extraordinary activity in the BEeadstults
market in the eastern cities, caused by large Eu-
lopean orders brought over by the last steamer is
having lis effect on those articles in the West, and
causes serious apprehension in the minds OF many,
that we ME again To be visited with the high PHI
ces of last year, and the consequent distress and
suffering among the poorer classes Of community.
We have no fears of this kind. Last year there
existed scarcity OF food of all descriptions, while
this year we are blessed with an abundance OF
eyerv thing which enters into the consumption OF
family, so there can be no comparison between the
two years. The supplies needed by England and
France will be no larger than they last year,
while we are so much better prepared TO furnish
tina. supply, and the wants Of Australia will be
freely supplied from the superabundance of Cali
fornia and Chill. The supply of wheat, on the
MARKET is probably less at this time than twas at
the same time last year, but then We had favora-
bic weather for getting out wheat and sending 1t
10 MARKET while this year the very reverse is true,
and we cannot expect it TO come In freely until
the hard weather of the winter sets in, when the
great quantity of breadstufs thrown upon the
market, must have a tendency to lower the price.
We are told by some, that, as the cost of living
in Western cities, and particularly in our own Is
increasing, there must certainly be some mistake
in the quantity of grain Produced the present sea-
son. There is no mistake about it. We hate an
abundance, and to spare, and if such examine
closely in their family expenses. they will find
that these increased expenses grow mainly out of
other matters than the high pnce OF bread and of
meat. And we here take the liberty OF directing
the attention Of our city authorities to this grow
ing eyil-Ae EorestalEng Of 0Ir markets; thus
raising the prce Of those articles so necessary 10
our health and comfort, and permitting few spec
ulators TO monopolize the trade in our market
houses. We are told that great proportion of
marketing Is bought up the night before market
day, aud we are disposed to believe it, from the
great number of empty wagons we frequently see
al an early hour surrounding the market house.
Others again, we understand, go round the market
TO farmers and Others, who have buter eggs, fruit,
DC. to sell, telling them 'now, we will give you
so much pound for your butter, and so much
dozen for your eggs for all you have LETT" and the
consequence is, if we have full market and com
petition is likely to lower such articieS they stop
selling having their loads engaged at certain price
to be delivered after market hours. Ii is such
proceedings az these, throwing us entirely III the
hands Of the unprlncipled, that is increasing the
cost of living in our city, and not scarcity of the
staple articles OF the country. We have ctylaw
regulating these matters, and we hope, whosever
duty ii is to do SO, wlsee that they are hereafter
ii. orOusly enforced and have this thing of fore
sIaliing broken up. As it is, it is system of
extorton upon the well-to-do, and of oppression
and cruelty TO the poor, and we want 10 see no
more of it.