Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-06-25
TIE CITY.

SUPPLY OF MEAT FOR THE RICHMOND MARKEr.-We
noticed briefly yesterday proposition of Thomas D.
P. IngrahAm, E.q to supply the city with meat, and
its being considered and voted to the table by the City
Council. Ne. Ingrsham's proposition seems to contain
much practical good sense that We are induced to lay
it before readers in full feeling that any cbemes for
increasing the stock Of the nscsssares Of life Is matter
Of deepest inherent to every rejecting mind Mr. made
lis proposition the Committee of Supplies by whom
it was, we think, Improperly referred to the Council
This committee appointed by the Council with carte
blanche to procure supplies for the Of citizens They
cordially approved and concurred in Mr.. Ingraham's
PLAN and should have adopted 1t Without any
to the Council. Except when heated by argument as
the very worthy member who has under his especial
charge the city hydraulics the individuals composing tho
Council are amiable aud well disposed but it is known
that the minds of the majority Of them not equal
the grasp and comprehension of any subject requiring
pract cal common sense Tn, committee, on the con-
trary composed of remarkable for their business
sense and experience. We give Mr.. lngraham's com.
munication:
1.-THE present scarcity and exborbitant price Of meat
in the markets of this city is of serious alarm,
ard should be remedied, if possible by any agency
thin reach Of the city authorities. If trade free
and uutrammeleo, inc Tree cUmpetOn Oh rucktefs III
open market would be the best and an ample remedy.
The regulation OF prices by military law has been ma
turey considered and decisively condemned There
remains, then, in my judgment but remedy, which
beg leave respectfully to suggest for your consider'
ton This Is the union OF corporate priv l,ge with pri
vae enterprise The city possesses ceran RI Iegts
which Of little of no value unless active agencies are
employed to make them available. Private enterprise
Of ITSELF in thu present state Of things accomplish
nothing Of real value. The cooperation of the city in
aid Of individuals who willing o emba n Il I'M
dertakDg Of supplying the city with meat at reasonable
rates wou seem to be the only means by which any
vausble result can be attained In this way protection
would be had sgainst the hndrances of military orders
we'll the impTessments of the CommissarY part
ment which now so seriously embarrass the underta-
king and the field from which supplies could be drawn
would be greatly enlarged and transportation secured.
II accordance With thess views propose to raise
capital Of 100000 to be employed in the purchase of
live stock to be slaughtered and sold in the market
houses of this city, one half Of the aforesaid to be
FL nhed by the city aud the other half by myself and
two other parties who would be united With me. Bond
and security to be given to the city to the faith
full application Of its capital, and additional safe
guard the committee to select to fill the place of
cashier and kkeeper who shall receive aud pay
all money and shall render to the committee monthly
or weekly statement of the Business they may direct
The business to be under the management and control
Of Ipgram Co., who will give 10 it their constant aud
active services free Of charge except their necessary
penses while travelling; all costs and expenses TO be
paid out of the JON fund, except those Of butcherng
and selling in the Market to cover which and to eom
pensate them for their services Ingram Co. shall
ceive the fifth quarter; all meat to be sold at net
profit Of 30 per cent one.ha Of which 10 be paid daily
or weekly to the city for distribution in charity among
the poor This agreement 10 continue for twelve months
til the end Of the War-the com nittee, however, to