Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-08-29
MARKET HousE.-We are gratifed to per-


ceive that our Common Co lncl have taken en-
| ergetic measures to have the market house thor
| oughly repaired and improved, with view to
bringing it into USE in very short time. This
is step which should commend itself to the APP
probation of the people, not merely of the town,
but of the neighboring country. We believe
that ours is the only town 1--WE have not yet got
used to the word city, which has not good mar
ket-Richmond, Petersburg, Norfolk, Lynch
burg, and Winchester, we believe, all have good
markets. And why should not Stanton have
one equally good7 We are surrounded by a
fertile country, admirably adapted to the pro-
duction not Only of grain and grass, but also of
| meats butter, poultry, vegetables and fruits OF
every kind known in temperate latitudes,
The establishment of a good market will not
| only promote the comfort and cow enence of
housekeepers, but it will furnish strong induce
| ment to people to settle here The admirable fe-
| male schools in Staunton present strong induce
ments to parents. who have daughters to educate,
| to make our town at least temporary place OF
abode. The assurance that the necessaries OF
| life can be bought at our market, of good quail
ity, and on reasonable terms, will add new rea-
son why they should do so. Widow ladies, es-
pecialy, who are not competent to hunt up sup
plies for their families will esteem it great con-
venience to be able to get what they may need
at the market house.
One great advantage of public market is, to
bring the producer and consumer face to face,
without the intervention of third parties. Now,
everything that is brought to town is bought by
grocers, and sold at heavy advance to the con-
sumers. This is tax on the consumers to the
RI IL A.
these articles.
1t is far better that the country people should
sell at the market house directly to the consul
mers. They will then have the benefit of COM
petition among those who wish to buy, and thus
secure the best prices. Instead of hawking their
commodities around the streets, through the hot
sun of summer, and the fierce blasts of winter,
not knowing where to look for customer, they
need only take them to a comfortable market
house to find competition among purchasers.
Under the present arrangement persons who
nave large establishments, can induce producers
to carry supplies to their doors, but small deal
ers cannot have this advantage. The market
will put all on an equality. Rich and poor will
have equal opportunities to buy and to sell.
We take it for granted that there will be some
objections made at first. No new machinery is
likely to work smoothly at first But the expe-
rience of all other towns, of any size, proves
that the market system is founded in WISDOM
If it were not so, it would not be so generally
adopted, and SO perseyeringly adhered to.
Some of our grocers may complain at first,
that it interferes with ono branch of their trade
They will soon fnd however that the fear is i'm
aginary The advancement of the general con-
venience and interests, and the increased mum.
Der of dealers who will be attracted to town, to
sell their commodities, and buy supplies of gro
ceries, hardware, dry goods, &c, will soon COM
-pensate for this apprehended loss.
We hope we shall have full and fair expert
ment. 1t would be we'll to have, at the outset,
an exhibition of fine fruits and flowers at the
market house. We would like to see the ladies
attend, and add, by their presence new attrac
ton to the place. If properly managed, the
market house might be made the place for all
kinds of trading and interchange of commodi-
ties. A person who has surplus of any article
of traffic, might there readily find some one
ready to buy, or to give something else, in ex-
change.
To secure the attendance of ladies two things
are indispensable, viz: Good order, and thor
ough cleanliness, in and around the market
We hope the proper officers will see to it that
these objects are secured.
We earnestly recommend to our friends both
in the town and country, to give the market
fair trial. We must expect some grum bling,
and some attempts to create prejudices against
in the outset, but are persuaded, that in the
end all will find reason to be satisfied.