The New York herald., 1867-02-13
THE MARKETS OF NEW YORK.

L
Detailed Description Of Each-Hew They are
Manased and How They Look General De-
cline In the Business Of M0st Of the Mar
kets-Canses and Consequences, sc.
Tnough able 70 boast Of many admirable institutions
In our midst whose present existence OF unim-
peached usefulness and efficiency owing solely
the persistent efforts Of reformers, still
left under the reproach Of being supney Indifferent
the vital reformation demanded in market system.
will hardly be disputed that almost ell the present
market structures inadequate in size unsuitable
Ia location TO our present vast and
tended population, and with but two exceptions dis
graceful in appearance the metropolis Of America;
nor will 1t be denied that any branch Of municipal gov
ernment can be made conducive Of general public
comfort and convenience in both social and sanitary
point Of view, than hygenc and commodous arrange
ment Of the meat and provision mars Of community
In European capitals practical development Of the
theory has been attended with the best results. In
Paris and London markets commensurate with the full
est wants OF the inhabitants Of those cities long
since been erected with particular TO apness OF
location and TO the most approved scientific management
OF light sewerage and ventilation. The necessity for
new buildings for market purposes in the city of New
York, with moderate preensions 10 space ceanl-
and exterior finish, will be apparent TO any who
undertake the task of wadng through the adhesive
mud of Washington, Of discovering meat Fulton
OF defining the possible for the nondescrpt aggre
gate Of shanties in Clinton market But is alone
that reformation is needed in the markets themselves;
we also require change In the system whereby the
management Of this lucrative branch the corporation
property is intrusted to the charge Of irresponsible
who, though they may have done their party SER
vice in their time yet not presumed quite as
efficient In the interests Of tho public At present the
revenues Of the markets invested in the Sinking
Fund for the extinguishment Of the city debt The
Commissioners Of this fund comprise the Mayor Comp
troller Recorder. City Chamberlain and the Chairman
Of the Finance Committee Of each Board OF the City
Council The Bureau Of Markets is presided over by
Superintendent, who occupies q department In the
Comptroer's Office. This gentleman it would be only
natural to suppose knew about the machinery BY
which the market system is regulated than any other
officer Of the city government Our reporter however,
found the suppcsiton be altogether erroneous and
had to look elsewhere for enli.htenmcnt on the
subject The Superintendent according to his rem
derng gives all the information be hasapparently very
littleto the Comptroller and has neither time incl
nation TO give any to reporters outsiders generally
He possibly refer you to the clerks Of the markets.
with the intmation that they have already
much pestered by inquiring statisticians with
sinister designs that they have lost all their
primitive courtesy in volunteering information. The
subordnates take pains not TO be outdonc reticencc
knowledge Of the interior workings of the sys
tenn disguise himself after the fashion of detec-
tive to succeed in the acquisition Each market has
generally staff of five corporation empioye clerk
deputy clerk, collector lampgher and watcman. Tho
clerk and hts deputy, chiefly dsused politicians have
extremely light and pleasant duties perforn--nothng
more iaborous than drawing their monihly salaries,
collecting the weekly rcnts and delightful duty
Of all attending the Interesting process Of transferring
stands This transfer system Is whatends its charm
in the eyes Of the office seeking tribe, to the
II MIR. wishes u purchase stand from Mr. B, the
clerk has to be notified Of the contempa. ed
his presence being indispensable lend due impressive
mes 10 the transfer ceremony There striking phe-
nOmenon noticeable these occasions With
the Clerk That dignitary like the traditional police
man. though never to be found when most needed, Is
SURE 70 mako his appearance the when a
transfer Is vaguely hinted AT. The modgs Op randi
usually observed this for the clerk t. mako
An imperative stipulation Tor certain bonus from the
renqush his stand and the other enter into
thereof without vcxati0us delays Tho clerk
his charges TO suit The value Of the stand the
Of his customers. nc This little job bong gone
through Tho watchfu guardian Of the Market who u
generally sleeping partner 10 some oyster
retres 10 indulge his leisure tastes away from the trying
odors OF meat and fish. Sometimes proprietor Of
stand deems his business capable Of extension and may
accordingly appropriate TO himself a share of tie
space rightly belonging the public. The Argus-eyed
clerk observes the trespass records his indignant
strancc but eventually ioicrates the obtruson TOR
soothing consideration. 1t rs thus that Washington
Market has beon gutted with stands aud un~ar-
rantable appropria tions OF the public space Every
alteration from the original interior plan of the
markets has been effected by the compromising
connivance OF the clerks and deputies But these ndl
viduals are responsible for than this culpa
biy in the matter of aud called improve.
menta process Of blsckmailng Is ofentmes carried
that can hardly commend itself to the the
marketmen. One enterprising clerk, with
his salary and customary ed the ad,
OF his position might be enhanced by Ievyng the NATE
rials or holiday dinner in the country of tho various
market stands. Having procured horse and wagon,
and several congeniai spirits 10 enjoy the repast,
he proceeded around the outskirts Of the mar
ket, relieving one man Of q turkey, another
OF plump quail, and SO on until his wagon
stored at the general expense Of the dealers The
abuses which the present system sanctions ana is
70 perpetuae so long stringent SUPER
vision Is exercised by whoever placed in cortro Of
the markets., The derived by tho Corporation
from market rents and fees during the past year
$ls3, 1856, and for rents Of cellars in tho markets,
$261l4 showing total Of 5000 300 which exh bits an
increase Of 1000 the revenue from the same
for the previous year Of 1865 increase
the same term six years prior Of nearly hun
drcd per cont. OF the amount quoted for last year.
Washington Market including Wholesale and reta fur
Esbcd little more than onchalf but ths OF all tho
markets. shows percepube decline in Its usual
business.
wAsmyaroS MARKET
The largest and widely known Of the series OF
markets In the city rises like huge. mrshapcn wigwam
from tue mud enclosed by Fulton vessy ana West
streets lis location generally discovered BY dead
lock among drays and carts tho adjoining streets
by the prevalence OF much liquid sush having the eide
walks and the feet OF pedestrians doomed TO travel
the neighborhood and by the presence OF every
ceivable obstruction the pavements A,ter
wrgglng under and around horses heads carefully pre-
mid Of cups and saucsr the visitor length comes in
Of an aniiquaod and ncongruous looking structure
which seems half ashamed TO elevate itself for
Inspection and this constitutes the farfamed though
not much admired, Washington Market Tho entrances
TO the interior numerous enough bat TO distinguish
an entrance from an egg stand forms the next difficulty
Ia his progress However, whom the visitor after vent
ing many anathemas ON the mud, the market and the
egg stands, hnds himself at early morning. while q
thousand lamps lighting within the interior Of tho
immense shany, he may consider his Iabors rewarded
probably whettod his appetite, and the tempting
rows Of gashed aud tinted mutton, tho ruddy loIns
Of beef and the freshly plucked gobbers look
twice 40 beautiful dangling from endces
array Of savage hooks The butchers, In immacu.
late aprons, with sleek and smiling faces, are
busting about with ceaseess activity, welding their
busy cleavers with profit and proficiency, dealing
chaH among themselves ANA occasionally throwing In .
Joke with customers beefseak. The butchers con-
anue arriving from two O'Clock tI in the morning
AZ That hour business eliminates and gradually sackcns
on l the afternoon. In this Market however, there s
final 0f trade, customers always arriving
or depArting though At night OF course but and