Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-09-09
The Market Law,

The great topic of street talk during the past
week has been the new market law-lts good
and bad provisions and its practical operation
as exhibited at the Market House. Great DIR
ference of opinion exists as to the practicability
of enforcing the ordinance recently passed by the
Council. and fierce discussions are held at the
street corners-some denouncing, some oppos-
ing and others proposing amendments AT the
Market House, especially, these interesting de-
bates are earnestly carried on from morning I'LL
night, while those who have nothing to ca" are
awaiting with commendabe patience, the ar
rival of few chickens or few pounds OF but
ter. In the absence of other provisions they
discuss with hungry avidity the provisions OF
the law, leaning gracefully against the fences,
swinging listlessly upon the gates or seated IN
lazy groups upon the green sward OF the marker
ward. From present appearances the Rallroad
depot will be robbed of its glory, as the resort Of
all the loafers and loungers about the town.
those who have nothing to do congregating with
those who have nothing to eat around the mag
inary stalls of the market house. The denizens
to gather the latest news ION Change" than the
impatient guild names of our town run to the
Market House to inquire with breathless anxi-
ETY. "What's the price of eggs9" Perchance the
appearance of market cart, drawn by lame
grey horse, blind of one eye and unable to see
ont of the other, is authoritatiyely announced
by the master of the establishment. In an IN
slant the crowd is in motion and by the time the
huckster arrives he is surrounded and command
ed to surrender. They are respectfully inform
ed that the whole cargo is engaged. Mr.
steppsd over the corporation line an hour before
and bargained for the ''hull lot" An intima
ton is thrown ont, however, that an advanced
price might induce slight modification OF the
barcain Those who have the "wherewithal'
in abundance wink their eyes in satisfaction ana
smack their lips in prospect of savory dinner
while those in whose pockets only a few cop
pers Jingle as they "back out" from the contest
murmur as the news spreads from one to anoth-
err that ''prices have riz."
While such scenes are transpiriug at the au-
thorized mart all sorts of smuggling is perhaps
going ON down town. In the sadd bags acros:
the shoulder of that individual who is walking
down Main Street crock of nice fresh butter
is nicely ensconced. He meets frlend-whis
pers word into his ear-and both parties walS
into the back-room of store. What becomes
of the butter this deponent saith not. When
we searched for it at the Market House on two
or three occasions it was not there. In various
parts of the town marketable commodities are de-
livered by "contract" which the town au'
thorities have no right to Interfere
We are not disposed to make tactious obJec
tons to any law which has for its object the es
tablishment of good market. We want one
and we believe that is the general wish. We
do not make war upon the present ordinance
and would advise all our citizens to give 1t
fair trial. Some of its provisions seem to US im
practicable, oppressive ard absurd, leading t'
lust such abuses as We have limited above, but
we are, nevertheless, entirely disposed to test II
thoroughly. A few weeks will doubtless Gem
onstrate the futility of attempting continuous
market from Monday morning until Saturday
night, and lead to such amendments as Will
secure the appreciation and encouragement O
all our citizens.