Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-02-08
THE VOLUNTARY SYSTEM OF INSPECTIONS


We beg our readers TO bear in mind that the oppo-
nen,s OF the time.honored inspection laws of this
State set forth with the positive and avowed nsser-
ton that the inspectors and politicians were The only
friends of the present inspection laws. We have al
ready shown the action OF Maryland upon TINS SUB
isct we have seen that the farmers of Virginia are
necessarily interested the present system of inspec
tions: that an impartial French gentleman, Of great
scientific attainments recommended the system to
the French Government, aud the card published by
Mr.. Delaplane shows that all tho milers of this
city, but one, are in fivor of the present laws.
This evidence is crushing enough in all conscience
but there is still stronger which we propose to give
in this article We wish to prove, that outside OF the
limited circle Olive or six 6rmswho are opposing the
inspection laws, the opinions of reliable and COM
,stsp, gentlemen are al in favor Of our good old
laws. We shall rely upcnevidence to which no shade
of suspicion can attach itself.
The highest authority i, this country upon all ques-
ons relating to breadstufs the United states Eco
noni.t edited by ThomasP. Kettell one of the most
distinguished writer's on commercial affairs OF the
present age. In hs review Of the markets in the
Economist of the 3Oth OF December, he incidentally
pays the following high compliment to our inspection
laws:
southern -four has BEEN in good request for the
home trade the East, the West Indies, and for Lon
don and Liverpool. Many of the orders by the last
steamer we're unlimited, and confined to common and
good brands Richmond aud Petersburg There has
also been more enquiry for fine niddlngs, for ship
mrnt and in this there have been numerous traiSac-
ons ut IS 80 as IS, principally at the former price
The quality of these m,ddlings is far superior to our
common State and readily passes rs Superne III this
M ~.
low that nf Richmond, that shippers give their MD
dllngs a decided preference This certnlniy ad"s
much 10 the character of Southern brands, ana we
are happy learn that there an Inspection IN th'S
country that has some character in Europe and the
Importance OF it cannot be too highly priced, anu we
hope il will be faithfully adhered to.
Here We have the effects OF voluntary aud conpu'so'
ry inspections contrased, and plain statement OF the
practical results of bo;h. We are not aware that Mr.
ketell is in any way interested in the inspection oi
vrsnis -four, although lie, Ike Mr.. Chevalier, adr"'
Gates the presen, system A. the editor of the leading
Northern commercial paper Of this country, has pre-
ference for tie SJu'kcrR system OF Inspection is GER
tainly entitled to respect i'll consequence of its I'M
partality.
In letter upon the same subject. Mr. kettell says
January 18th, 1854
al THINK the New York (ro'wtGry inspections
| standard, not so high UNDER STATE ISSPEcTI"Ss
Southern tour stands WELL and persons in the trade
seldom require re.inspectons, RELIANCE BEING HAL
UPoS THE STATE INSPECTIONS"
From this extract it will be seen that high is the
character Of brand and complete The confidence
Of the public in The integrity and skW of our ,n>pcc.
tors, that all re-tn&pect'oa is raircd Of our Rouy
The testimony of Mr.. Ketsell. the editor of a New
York paper where the voluntary system prevails, is
sustained by that OF the principal -four merchants
Of that city.
On this subject, Messrs. w. H. Newman & Co., OF
New York, say in letter Of Goth o! December, 1855
referring 10 Petersburg -four
ave consider the present standard Of -four in that
city 70 be high and critical standard, ana much SUI
peri,r To- the standard OF many Southern cities We
have not observed any marked improvement IN the
s,srdarl of Petersburg inspection during the last lew
vour, W. hnv., found its former high character tn
he we'll and uniformly maintained.
They also psv high compliment to the superiority
of the compulsory 10 the voluntary system of inspec-
ton:
ut not the invarable rule TO re,nspeet Virginia
inspected iDur, for the very simple reason, THAT
YOUR VIRGlSIA STANDARD is VERY MUCH ABOVE
THAT or New YORK. Sometimes, to meet the ca
! price OF export buyers, it has been done.
Messrs Jane. Hunter l. Co., well known in Flr-
gn;a, a. most extensive -four merchants OF New
York, thus express themselves as to Mr. Dsanes ro-
iuntary or optional system OF inspection, to make
way for which our centuryod laws are to be broken
down:
ave consider the inspection Of -four, a. az present
conducted in New York, u rery hHr consequence as
dealers nay very little attention 10 H. but are TAR more
critical in their examination of flour than Formerly
rhsu the N,r York standard 'raS much hIpher.
"Es are decidedly of the opinion that the msprc-
ton Of -four, with kigh ,tGmdard by sworn oiil'
GER is far more valuable tnan Tree Inspection Win
out any Standard.
Massrs Allen & Paxson, also extensive Hour agents
of New York, men with large experience OF the vo'
,untary system advocated by the opponents Of the
present laws, say in letter of January 9th lsol:
"The voluntary inspection Of -four in this market
has lowered the standard Of Hour to very low eOD
in fact far as quality or grace are coHeetncu'
amounts to nothing at all
The President of the New York Corn Exchange,
the very highest authority thus characterzes the vo-
luntary inspection system:
Extract from Letter of y. II. Wolfe, President OF
New York Corn Exchange, dated 1891, and mos'
exteusively engaged in the -four commission busi'
ness:
sThere ia no doubt that the voluntary inspection
has lowered the standard OF Hour, and lessened its
reputation abroad. To substantlate that you ma 10
ENGLAND TINT our Estate four" which is our stand
ard superfpe, stands below Baltimore, Rch hmoud, Pc
tersburg and Philadelphia in foreign markets. az the
quotations from them show. / think the voluntary
inspection has been Of great injury to the Hour OF th
State in foreign markets.
"IIad we State appointment, with good standard
to work up to- it would give us much better repre-
sents,ion abroad for -four as there would theh DC
no opposition of inspectors AS 1t IS noW what one
set of inspectors refuse to brand suPerine, ano'nes
Set to get business brand the same -four 30 that inc
inspection hns run down 80 low, tnere 10 ho i'''"''
on it,
Extract from Messra Babcock & Co.'S Letter, who
ara Commission Merchants of New York, dateu
1854:
1--WE believe the laws, permitting the voluntary IN
specon of -four in State have been III opera'ion
seven or eight years, since which time the quay o.
-four has been gradually depreciat'ng ana huen =. u
that which now passes for superhne, wou,a nor, III
many instances have passed for more than No., pre-
vious 10 the alteration Of the laws. ,;,
"a, the present time, any person has the privhege
of inspecting -four, which leaves door opeu l'i
responsible and ignorant men to decide upon Tue
quality of flour, which they have little or no Know
c,lg. of, and who are more disposed to please their
employers than to do Justice to tue pubiio'
Extract from Charles F. Osborne's letter, who IS re-
garded rs one of the best merchants III the Cni1eu
S,F,es, dated New York, Nov. both, 1880; "a,
y do not see that you have anything to 90 WIN
!"ur inspection laws except 80 far as to impress up
"n .nc Legislature the Importance Of them. Nnefe'
ever 'ey have been repealed, or become deao el'
!er @h' dI''"gArdcd the experience of every etato
10 lose 10 that branch OF trade and, consequently
10 those directly or indirectly concerned OF serious
is changed.
| 1.-The only way the farmer can obtain high
prlce Tor hls wheat Is t" have inspectors who Will a."
their duty and sustain high character for the -four
Extract from letter from Theodore Banks, extensive
" engaged in tho flour trade, and well known in
Virginia:
Southprn -four is sod i'm NIL cssn. nv tho reputa-
ton of the Southern brand aud Southern inspection
The New York inspection (which is the voluntary
systeml is not relied upon at ALL as far as the qualify
is concerned"
Very many other extracts might be given to show
TINT tho voluntary, syste M nsnsction OF New York