The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1864-03-18
For Ike Gasette
The Mood Ordinance.
Mr.. EDITOR T;

MIR. EDITOR:
Permit me to ask my fellow citizens, through
the medium of your. paper, before they allow
themselves to be influenced by the persistent ef-
fort of few to prevent the successful operation
of the Ordinance for the Inspecting and Meas
uring of wood, to view with candor tile action
of the Council and the causes that influenced
them; to examine carefully the law, in order
to ascertain whether il requires amendment, OF
has any defects that can be remedied; and also
to consider whether the condition of affairs has
changed since its passage. Whether our opinion
of the law and its operating is favorable or un-
favorable, We must admit that the Council in
passing the Ordinance could not have been gov
erned by any other motive than that Of duty;
and that they acted under the we'll founded be-
lief that it was for the best interest Of the Bor-
ough, and in accordance with the wishes of a
large majority of the citizens. 1t has been for
many years, the general remark and frequent
complaint, (and with reason) that the uncertain
and Irregular quantity of wood in loads, caused
US to pay unfair prices that the custom compel-
ed us to pay according to the numd er of horses,
without due regard to the quantity. Many re-
Elections have been cast on the Council for not
| adopting some measure that would secure to the
purchaser (what he has an und.ubted right to
| demanD the quantity; and at the same time do
justice to the vendor These reflections were just,
! for it is the sworn duty of the Council to pass
such laws as the true interest of Borough de-
mands. At the time the Ordinance was passed
the rapid increase in the price of wood made it
imperative that some measure should be adopted
to secure to the purchaser a regular quantity.
The mode directed by thes Ordinance appears TO
be the only practical one by which it can be ac-
complished, for it requires that each load shall
be measured and inspected by person appoint
ed for that purpose, whose duty is not only to
measure, but to inspect. The plain construction
of which is that he is to make reasonable deduc-
tions for uneven loading, Intentional or other
wise this certainly embraces all that is required
To charge the Ordinance with causing the adj
vance in the price, when every article we use
had gone up, from one hundred to one hundred
amp fifty per cent, is certainly very unfair; and
as the condition of affairs has not changed, un-
less it be for the worse, prices still ranging high
er, to expect by its repeal to lower the price, is,
to say the least, very short sghted the only prob
able reduction would be in the quantity.
| Let us give to this. among the first laws for the
regulation of our Borough Market fair trial;
| tildt all ucW IiedSuTeS require tlIDe
to put them into successful operation and expe-
rience to amend them understandingly; being
mindful that the question from the circumstan-
ees that have attendedit, is ofgreater importance
and call for. more serious consideration than it
otherwise would, and that the consequences that
are certain to flow from our decision will have
a strong bearing on our future Borough govern
ment. We have had rights guaranteed, and
privileges granted, by our Charter and by the
laws of the State, for the good government o.
the Borough, and the interest of its citizens
the claiming and exercising Of which can do in
justice to none. Are we, having concluded tc
pass a law in accordance with these chartered
rights and privileges, to be prevented from car
rying it out by persons from outside combna.
.eu: L, as citizen, having in view the respect
due to our ancient charter and the future well
are of the Borough, protest against establishing
so unworthy precedent
A CITIZEN.