The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-04-10
"CURBSTO.NE .M.AREETS -

70 ne bdttor of The EUening TeleJroDh
On the 18th of April, 1861, the Legislature of
Pennsylvania enacted law that resulted i'm driv-
ing almost every farmer from the curbstone
markets OF our city, and in their place gave us q
class OF butchers residing in the city, known as
oap''ners, who are now, together with hucksters,
the only occupants of these markets. The act
under which this street nuisance is perpetuated
reads as follows:-"That from and after the pas-l
page of this act it may be lawful for any person.
whose principal business is that Of
farmer, to sell from any wagon or
stand, in any Of the public streets in the city of
Philadelphia, that are or may hereafter be APP
propriated by City Councils for the sale Of farm
or garden produce in such quantities as he may
see ht-the meat OF any animal which he may
have slaughtered ON his farm, regardless whether
1t has been raised or fattened by him. This
hw at once opened the door to a horde of men
who claim to be farmers, from the fact that they
own rent, i'm the outskirts of the city, plot
of ground large enough to cultivate a few vege-
tables for their own use, and on which to erect
slaughter-house.
In confirmation Of this let any one curious in
such matters visit the slaughter-houses scattered
all over the Gratz estate, northwest of Monument
Cemetery. These men buy up all the cheap
aged cattle, infant veal, week or two old, and
lambs they can find and retail them upon the
number of men who own farms, who find it
very profitable to employ from one to six men
each, who act rs their agents in selling such
meat upon the streets Instead of Second street
being what 1t was years ago, market Tor the
sale of farm produce by the farmer himself, this
law has changed its character entirely, and legally
fastened upon the street class of the very
lowest SINNERS and hucksters who occupy our
pavements four days in each week, allowing us
two days out of six for the unobstructed prose-
cution of our business. We desire that this
question should be viewed as one of justice.
We ask Is ii right that we, as property owners
and tenants, who are heavily taxed, should be
forced to submit to so gross an imposition, when
about seven-eighths of the owners and occupants
OF stores on the street are so earnestly appealing
Tor its removalr The question has been fairly
met upon its merits at Harrisburg, and
an act has been passed by the Senate
abolishing curbstone markets on all
streets between Chestnut and Girard avenue;
but in the House it meets with opposition from
one Representative from the city, for the simple
reason that three four of his female constitu-
ents would be deprived of the privilege now en-
joyed, of selling cabbage and beans on the pave
ments of Second street free of charge. Another
objects because n few SINNERS in his district
who represent themselves as farmers would be
prevented from making meat-shambles of our
store-tronts. Another, because tho residents
CT his ward consider it great convenience
to blockade our store-entrances while search
ing for provisions, but never give thought
10 the Inconvenience and loss we sustain.
Another objects because MS constituents
fear that. if these SINNERS are driven
from Second street, they may migrate tn
his district. II is really strange that with the
great anxiety manifested to protect few ire
sponsible street vendors all interests must be
set aside all our protests pass unheeded, thQ;iyn
signed by about three hundred Owners and
tenants Of property ON Second street and repre-
senting millions of Goiiors invested on the street.
only that these Bedouins may occupy our
property to the ruin of our business We pro-
70 s
fragrant violation of our rights, and insist that
matter of such vital Importance to the in
terests of the greatest business thoroughtare in
our city receive the attention its merits deserve
by relieving it of the most intolernble nuisances
ever foisted by legal enactment upon Indignant
property-oWners and tenants