The New York herald., 1873-07-20
THE MARKET NUISANCE.
Commissioner Van Mort Asks Advice from
the Corporation Counsel-The Filth
and Stencil Unabated.

ana stencil Unabated.
Holders OF the gutter booths around Washington
Market were in an unusual ferment Yesterday The
day was muggy and their premises were more than
usually untidy and odorous. The action OF the
Board OF Health on Friday, requesting and direct.
ing the Board OF Police to cause the total removal
OF the Objectionable structures on or before Non
day. the 2lst inst, tended to increase the heat and
irritation. This element was not needed to make
intolerable the grievious lack OF ventilation re-
ported by Sanitary Inspector James, or the foul
stencil given or by the obstructed drains and the
Uttered heaps and accumulatons OF decaying
vegetable and purifying animal refuse. vesey
street, from Greenwich to West street.
being reduced by the stands on both sides
to the width OF a narrow alley, was strewn with
halfrotten cabbage leaves, tomatoes, p0ta-
toes, lemons and other matters rejected
from the stands. Washington street was
very foul as to Its CUTTERS most
OF the way from Chambers street to Dey street.
Fulton street. on the north side, along the rear
walls OF the market stands, was line Of collected
filth and nasty pools OF water. West street, which
is so crowded by the booths that there Is not
for large truck To stand between the market and
the railway tracks, was in a disgusting state fully
bearing ont the condemnation OF the Board OF
Health. UnsOund poultry was added to the usual
aggregation OF offensive deposits on the dirty pave
ments which enclose the main depot whence our
families, boarding houses and hotels draw their
supplies OF edibles. Pervading the sidewalks, by
which customers approach the composite architec
tural monument which has so long been disgrace
to our CITY, was the usual air of shitess Incidence
ana lack OF thrifty neatness. Dirt and litter the
distinguishing characteristics OF all the approaches
to Washington Market; nor do they disappear as
enters its imposing and artistically decorated
walls. Disorder and untidiness seem born from its
low position Its defective drainage and entire alb
sence OF ventilation. II was no better yesterday.
in the gloom OF close, cloudy atmosphere, re
quring the use OF gas. No place could well suggest
more perfect compliance with all the conditions
known TO induce and foster those diseases with
which the season threatens US.
PosTPoNING THE ABATEMENT
Under the urgency of the resolution Of the SAM.
tary Board those interested in continuing the gut
ter stands sent a deputation to use their per-
suasive powers upon the President OF the
Board and the Mayor. so effective was
their eloquence that the Mayor was induced
to advise a delay OF summary measures by the
Commissioner OF Public Works till the opinion OF
the Counsel to the Corporation could be procured
upon legal points. IL was also reported that the
President OF the Board OF Health consented to o
further delay Oflorty-eight hours before the execu
ton OF the mandate OF destruction or removal.
SEEKING LEGAL LIGHT.
A HERALD reporter called on Commissioner Van
Mort yesterday afternoon to learn his action IN the
premses That ofllcer stated tnat he iabors under
two restrictions which for the present tie his
hands. First, he lacks money. He has in hands
for abating all nuisanceS throughout the city
only trining amount wholly insufficient to pay
Tor the labor demanded to free Washington Mar
kot of ts eXcreSCeUCeS.
Second, the counsel for the marketmen has
served upon him notice and copy OF an injunc.
ton order MADE some years ago by Judge Barnard
forbidding the Board Of Health, its officers and
servants, from molesting or interfering with the
market booths. Commissloner Van Mort therefore
yesterday despatched to the Counsel for the Cor
poration a letter. OF which the following isa COPY
OFFICE or THE conAlssIoskk or PysLie Wonss
Hon. DrLArxLD SMITH. Counsel to the Corporation -
me s on hs o nsi The pares to duly
nosed TO move and upon application Of committee Of
YESTERDAY the papers b G. and were delivered to
S "n y & s in ss orce ana & perso"s prohiSed
tearing down or removing the stalls or stands mentioned
around aud ia the vicinity OF Washington Market when
Senoaa-Whethe or not the Comm issioner of Public
quest st. Of z the Board Of Health. U.
ThirdCan, could the Commissioner Of Public Works
tssSns ,ss streets saIM and % sidewaiksi ~
this
Se"Is hinersa and p1oh,bsd by said injunction
'fF rissss S Sss'f also % have The lndn. give
on HsS" IS To ny
shoss teoscy &c. ana "n
Commissioner Of Public Works.
Tho Commissioner stated that no action will be
taken by his Department to carry out the order -
the BOARD Of Health until he has the advice Of the
Law oncer Of 1DosSSH 1Ss eS;RG5s'EIga6; Ss Eas LAW
On calling at the ofllce Of the Corporation Counsel
Mr. Smith was ascertalned TO be out Of the ci0,
the request OF the Commissioner OF Public Works
and was engaged with his CLERKS IN rnnn ndn5ns ,os
asss'0Vs sssrs we're 0enns sad ts1gea
Consumed Consume before re fn survey Of the subject couid
be completed so as to enable the Counsel TO SAFELY
OF such importance. Probably it win be the middle
OF the week, II not It's end. before his report Will
enable Commissioner Van Mort and the Board OF
sci upon their powers and duties IN the matter.
THE NUISANCE TO CONTINUE.
Meanwhile, and as much longer as the power, In
nuence and money OF the outside stalholders can
stay the necessary work OF cleansing and abating
a nuisance which threatens the whole city, the
ducing the limits In which they trespass upon the
roadway. Under the noor OF their front runs the
choked and noisome sewer. There Is the main
cause OF stencil, and that can only be amended by
the entire removal OF the booths. As to the oh
struction OF air and cutting on the market proper
from ventilation, this, too, Is o matter not to be
helped by reducing the depth OF the stands. To
give the market air the entire sidewalks require TO
be cleared.
THE TRUE REMEDY.
Market men as well as citizens generally agree
that the only way TO make Washington Market
clean, tidy, attractive, destitute OF offensive
smell and free from danger OF breeding pestience,
is to replace the old, rotten, tunoe-down shell
with modern edihce Of iron, stone or brick,
properly constructed, drained, ventilated, lighted
and supplied with water. Such building could
be kept clean and sweet, while the opposite condi
tiOns inseparable from the present one, which
II standing and monstr0us disgrace to the great
est city OF America.
ALLEGED POISONING BY MISTAKE.