Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-07-07
The Market Hoase auest,oa.

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Editor star:.As former occupant Of stands
in tEe Center Market, feel there is a duty I
owe TO myself, 10 the butchers, our patrons
who have 20 nObly sustained "a in our action
and the business people in the vicinity OF the
market, 90 give plain, unvarnIshed state msnt
OF ne Facts, so grossly misTepresented In NJ.
Smiths communication under the eaption OF
I "Fair.ciav 8 q Jewel"
Mr. 5. attempts to give 80 array OF facts in
defence of the immaculate monopoly; and NJ
one Knows better than Mr.. s. that he has made
out one truthful assertion In his whole commu-
nicattoD, viz: that the Market Company IL Ia
1872,
He says, s'the company is not to blame for
the disappointment or last Thursday, but TN 9t
the butchers are alone FesPORSibls in that, FIRST
we demanded palpsble violation or their char
TEL lrequIring the sale OF stalls.) Secondly,
'Iled up that sale by an Injunction, and with
cut moments warning abandoned the market
without awaiting the decision we pretend to de-
sire." That we purchased our stalls for ten
years from July LIST, 1872. (Which is correct
and that the company lCere compelled by the
terms OF their charter to reseiI the stalls"
In regard to MIR. SIS first charge, he knows
that during the investigation OF their affairs by
the Senate committee that the c0mpanv re-
quested onr people to hold general N seting
appoint a committee TO confer vita their COM
pany In order TO reconcile the (then) existing
differences. This was perhaps thirty DAYS ago.
Our meeting was 20 have been held on Tuesiav
afternoon. aud 10 meet with them at night; bat
on the morning OF that day the company spread
upon each stall an ultITnatum, or the terms nDon
which the stalls would he sold, viz that the sale
would be conducted upon tue sagns plan OF two
years ago, beginning with the choics butcher
stands first, but that the rule would be varied
by any occupant requesting lis stands to b. put
up. and making as a starting bid the price AID
In 1872, virtually closing the door TO any COM
promise.
We, however, held our meeting, appointed
our committee, with Instructions to offer toe the
next three years the present rentals of S1I per
month, but al no case to entertain proposition
locking to the payment of bonus; aui in the
event of the company not aceeding to our re-
quest that we would make immediate arrange
Ee nts for the evacuation of the Center Market
and the occupancy OF the Savage Market. We
we're in a few days treated with a notice to va
cate on the 3Oth of June. So much for our exodus
without moments notice.
Mr.. 5. says first, 1--WE demand palpable vio-
lation of their charter, which compels them TO
resell their stalls" If Mr.. Smith was present
at our conference with the company, and pre-
sumo he was, he must remember that put this
Question sQuarely 10 MIR. Chandler, viz: That II
the company choose to renew our lease for the
next three years at the rentals, would Congress
abrogate their charter and compel them to sell.
He answered squarely, "they (Congre would
not" then replied that it was optional with
the company, that did not deny the right, but
denied the necessity. Yet Mr.. s. asserts, in
the face OF their legal advisers assertion, that
they are compelled to sell.
Secondly. Mr.. s. asserts, in the face of facts,
that we "tied up the sale with an injunction"
when he knows the injunction only restrained
the sale OF the section occupied by Mr.. Hoff-
man; that they did proceed TO sell, and did sell,
nearly all the miscellaneous stands, three
fourths or four ffths of the butter stands, and
one section OF the butchers stands, and would
have sold the balance had the butchers have
been willing to enslave themselves for the next
three years. On the moruing of the 3Oth ultimo
were served, under cover of seal, another
Ieremptory order to vacate their property or
be subject to suit for trespass and damages
and summary ejectment at any moment
so much for our responsibility for depriying
the people OF their regular supplies.
However, he assures the people the market
"shail be maintained by the best butchers in
the world;" but ii Saturdays occupants are q
iair sample, the Lord preserve the people from
the balance! In leaving the market, we did so
at the sacrifice of dollars and cents, Though
some assert it was done fer the purpose of
breaking down the market company but we
preferred to do as we did to sacrificing our self
respect and good opinion of our patrons. With
this statement of positive facts, will drop the
subject. II = u