Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1866-06-18
For the Delaware Republican,

Mr.. EDITOR 1t 10 about time that the street
market WAS broken up. When Wilmington
was village or even small town, it probably
answered good purpose. But now a change
has become necessity. Nothing but long
custom, would mako people tolerate this mode
of doing business.
The producer is compelled to stand out eT
posed to all kinds of weather, to start at an
inconvenient time of night, often over bad
roads, and through the storm. He has to put
up with many inconvenience in the streets,
and If the weather is unfavorable to sacrifice
his goods. And after all this how much can he
sell in half a day
1t can never be any more than peddling
business. The producer should be wholesa-
Ter. He can then afford to AXE less for his
wares and he can double his profit by the lar
ger amount that he sells.
1t is true all the butter that ia brought can
be sold in the streets. But there are many 9TH
er things that farmer should raise and bring;
not a half but full load and sell on demand.
know that not one half the prodace that
could be sold in the Wilmington markets, is
raised in the neighborhood, because it cannot
be sold 10 the streets
The consumer, though not put to the same
inconvenience shares them to q considerable
extent. Twice week, at least, be must turn
out, be the weather what it may and push
through the crowded streets, searching for the
neeessaries Of life.
This duty mostly ,all upon the women and /
wonder they have not rebelled long ago
However, everybody declares it to be nuis-
ance, but nobody takes any steps to abate it,
But what then shall we substitute in its place?
Shall we build market houses like Philadel-
phia am not in favor Of that. They are
decided Improvement over the old way, they
fuini ii shelter and the farmer has more choice
Of ipnp in hrinf ia and tha0 ha
advantages end. he puot Wholesale, other
wise he might do that without coming to the
market house. 1t is still n peddliug business.
The flrmer's time is money as we'll as auy
ones, and the time lost by becoming q retailer
has to be set off against his profits. Again,
majority OF the citizens are not relieved of the
necessity OF going considerable distance to
purchase, and Of carrying the produce as far
0aek.
This does not cure the evil. Let US go ahead
of the Phiadelphians. let the City Council
decree that on the frst of May o. next year,
the street market shall end, and you will find
a produce store opened in nearly every square,
The market will be evenly distributed over the
whole city. The producer can bring a two
horse wagon load and sell it at once. II he
takes less for his goods, he eau sell so much
more, and save so much In time and conve-
nience that will more than repay him. Let him
not dream that ne cannot sell, the merchant
" i'll come out aud hunt him up.
If the merchants should combine, which is
hardly possible, tor co petition regulates trade
the producers can open stores for themselves
1t is preposterous for all the city TO 20 to Mar
ket street twice week to buy their living
The Market street merchants might object,
that it would injure their business. But is the
whole country to suffer for the sake of the
Market street merchants?
But such would not be the case. People
will buy whore they can get the beat goods and
to the most advantage. Some might imagine
that the produce kept in the stores would not
be 80 fresh. On the contrary it would be fresh
er for the merchant would so regulate it that
some one would bring him produce every day,
and not every body come the saue day twice a
| week as now. Whoever kept the neatest store
and freshest vegetables and fruits would draw
the most customers and thus all would vie to
| do their besJ.
The butchers would be subject to the same
regulations, and their shops would be distrib-
! uted over the city
Already this desirable change has been in
| augurated, and there are many excellent pro-
| duce stores III different pRrts of the city. But
as long as the street market is continued, the
merchants will be timid about buying In large
quantities.
This fact shows the natural tendency Of
| things, and that is the best guide in all i'm
provemsnts. hope all interested will copsid
CONSUMER