Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-01-28
The Domestic Market.

Ia the editor ofthe .AIerand'T" Gdsette:
The subject of the high prices in the Alex
andria Market and the grievance experienced
by all the citizens and housekeepers, by the
system Of t6,estalLing: openly practiced here;
without let or hindmnce, induce Inc to request
that you will publish in the Gazette the follow
ing article from the Baltimore American.
A CITIZEN
With the exception of the single article OF
breadstuf;s, the prices of all kinds Of food APP
pear to be but little diminished since the
closing of the war--then, when taxes were put
on of a cent or two upon pound Of coffee,
sugar, or tea, or other article. in almost every
instance the dealers therein invariably made it
a point to put on double Or treble the amount
of the tax upon their sales-so in like manner
when a tax was put upon an agricultural pro
duction whether of live stock or other kinds.
for every cent of tax We were greeted in the
market with twice the amount at least of that
tax on the article needed beyond what had be-
fore been in vogue So far as the farmer Was
concerned. the tax was soon taken off Of his
produce. but the prices paid in the markets are
still near the rates paid in the midst oft war
for most of the articles sold to families. The
farmer does not realize these prices. but the
advance goes into the pockets OF the middle
men who monopolize near all the products OF
the soil. and who obtain 80 to 100 per ct. nd,
vance upon the cost Of the articles purchased
and sold
The fact is. there are too many nol..producers
in our cities. and yearly the number is lncreas-
ing. \ leading journal in New York city. says
that many of the youth of th&t city are being
brought up without trades or other apparent
| means of gaining livelihood by their labor,
whilst. an over proportion are obtaining living
by huckstering. lorcstalling, and tratficklng
about the market houses &c. &c.
Farmers and produce growers GENERALLY are
| Interested in getting the best price for their
| produce. and the more directly they are able to
transact their business. the better they will be
able to effect this object. Much has been SAID
and written against the employment OF middle
men, but rs yet without et1ccting any change
in our marketing systcm Commissioner "a
prom l.; now engaged III collecting information
concerning the method OF market tratlck III
vogue in various parts of the country, There
is no uniformity of practice or Of municipal reg
ulations on this subject. and an important ser
vice will be rendered. beyond question. by gath
ering such information thereon as will afford an
intelligent basis Of comparison. This will at
! least enable the various localities to Introduce
improvements suggested by such L survey. and
to correct existing abuses. 4 letter OH this
subject. received from the Commissioner some
time since, directs attention especially to the
Following points: !. Number Of days iii the
week and hours OF the day in which farmers
arc permitted to sell from their wagons. ,.
Amount of space at the market houses anu on
the streets which they are allowed I" occupy;
,. Prices obtained BY ,huck ster:. compared
with the rates allowed them by producers. T..
The bearng Of prevalent usages OF commission
men upon the interests OF producers. ..
Amount Of license (if any required "t farmers,
and other municipal restrictions or require
menls in respect 10 their sale.. Market gard
eners should give this matter due attention.