The New York herald., 1871-02-02
Tho Sale of the City Markets.

Tho Sale of the City Markets.
Resolutions have been adopted by the Com
wissioners Of the Sinking Fund to sell all the
market property of the city of New YORKER
cepting the Eighteenth Ward Market-to au-
thorize the Comptroller to have the necessary
Surveys and maps of such property made by
4he City Surveyor, and to appoint William F.
Havemeyer, John Even and Peter Cooper, on
The part of the city, to appraise and adjust the
rights of the lessees of the stalls in the markets
and to fix the amount of compensation to be
paid to such holders. The system Of selling
Stands in the markets for premium was aban-
loned in 1886, and the choice of stands was
hrawn for. But this was merely modfca-
lion Of the impolitic and intelerable premium
monopoly, which had been growing evil ever
since, in 1876, provision was made for the
Common Council to take charge of all the mar
kets. Since 1885 it is said that ''the expendi-
lures by the city on account of the markets
have very nearly kept pace with the receipts
pn this account from all sources; and this esti-
Dmate Is exclusive of the interest on the real
Expenditures have been exceeding the receipts
year after year. So long ago as 1854, when
the system Of government management and
premium monopoly had fallen by it's own
hweight and had been practically abolished by
the growing wants of the city and the conces-
Sions of the Corporation, Comptroller Flagg for
cibly urged the same arguments which have now
convinced the Commissioners Of the Sinking
Fund that it is wise to withdraw the agency of
The municipal government and to make the
whole market system free and harmonious, by
having it placed in the hands of individuals and
associations, and conducted. like all other bust
mess matters, on strict business principles.
The twelve public market places which are
pow about to pass into private hands are the
Washington, the West Washington, the Fulton,
fhe Clinton, the Centre, the Catharine, the
Jefferson, the Tompkns, the Essex, the Union,
fhe Franklin and the Gouverneur markets.
The condition Of the older among these mar
kets has too long been shame to the city, and
I'm several cases, especially in the summer
season, peril to the public health. One Of
the first fruits Of the sensible action decided
mpon by the Commissioners of the Sinking
Fund will be the demolition Of the rotten
Ehanties which now shelter not only o vast
amount of edibles for the supply of New York
and its adjacent cities and villages and the
steamers and ships that leave our harbor, but
also an incalculable amount Of garbage and
ptber noxious filth. Instead of these dilapi-
dated old shanties, we may hope that suitable
buildings will be erected which, like the
palaces Of trade adorning Broadway, will soon
demonstrate the advantages Of private enter
prise over municipal interference, whether with
the sale of meat, fish and vegetables, or with
that of dry goods and any other articles Of
traffic. The Commissioners were right in con-
cluding that maintaining the markets is ex-
pensive that the sale Of the public market
property will add enormously to the sinking
fund; that the rivalries Of individuals and
private companies will prevent monopolies,
and that there is no longer any necessity for
the city to carry on the huckster business.