New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-02-10
THE PEOPLES COLUMN.


rBrief Communications P,lblished-Long
Ones Invariably Rgectcd-1he Ad'tor not
Responsible for the Sentiments EryrsssA
in the Comm unications.l
3Comm un,cated.S
Public Markets VS.. Private o. Free Marc
kets.
The questions involved in the caption OF
this article are Of considerable importance
to the inhabitants Of this city. There is in
it question of public order and a question
of public health. In all the large cities of
Europe and America-LondOn, Paris, Ber-
lin. Vienna and others-there are places
designated and set apart as public markets,
where butchers meat fish, poultry, vegeta-
bles and fruit, brought for the consumption
of the inhabitants of these capitals, are sold
under regulations made by the public au-
thorities.
These regulations are made in the inter
est of the public order and the public
health, and they are founded on considera-
tions of the highest Importance. They are
made and enforced principally to prevent
| the sale of tainted and unhealthy food
| which is perishable in its nature and OF
| daily consumption. These regulations are
| particularly necessary in warm and damp
| climate like that of New Orleans. 1t ought
| to be evident to all that there are great ad-
vantages to be derived from the sale of per
| ishable articles of food in our public mar
kets. For example, the public markets offer
every facility for the inspection of the
articles sold in them, not only by
the public officers but by purchasers
as well, and the opportunities for selection
are much greater than in the private or free
markets. No private vendor can offer the
same advantages which are possessed by
the keeper of a stall in the public market,
The only argument we have heard brought
forward in favor of the private or free mar
kets is that It is necessary for the con-
venience of the poor in the community who
| live at great distance from the public
| markets. This argument ought to be ad
mitted. and is of some force, and 1t can not be
destroyed except by considerations of greater
weight. 1t is impossible to place public
market at the door of every citizen, and at
the same time enforce the sanitary measures
which have been adopted for the well being
of the population. The inspection of live
stock sold in private stalls would be more
difficult and more costly than in the public
| markets. 1t would necessitate a much
greater number of inspectors, and it would
open wide the door to unfaithfulness and
negligence. In fact, the best argument in
favor of the public markets and the regula
c>f< I,ov, Exy% IA liz nr.f &c
the existence of these establishments
If these markets had not been bene-
| fetal and necessary for the public one
might reasonably conclude they would not
exist. No one can pass through the clean,
spacious and well kept markets Of New Or
leans without being struck with the advan-
tages which they offer over private or free
markets. To sell in the former tainted meat
or decayed vegetables is comparatively i'm
possible under existing regulations properly
enforced, but in private markets, where the
means and opportunity for inspection are
! wanting, it would be easy, as it has been
easy, to sell unhealthy food The objection
founded on the restraint. of the citizen aud
of free trade has not much weight. The
stalls in the public markets of New Orleans
are perfectly open to all persons ready and
able to pay the price demanded for their
use. There are many stalls still unoccupied,
and any one can rent them. These markets
have no feature of monopoly.
There is much to be said in favor of pub
lie markets. and against those of private
character, but we reserve these comments
for another occasion. The bill No. So now
before the Legislature of Louisiana, may
be approved in the public interest, and we
hope 1t will be adopted. We hear that
majority of the members Of the Legislature
favor the passage of the bill, which does not
prohibit private or free markets entirely.
but only their establishment within twelve
squares of the public markets.
There is a question touching contracts be.
tween the governing power and the citizens
interested in property adjacent to these es.
Establishments, as well as the lessees of the
stalls therein. which Is worthy of considera.
ton. There is also question of revenue
important to the city government. which
may form the subject OF subsequent az.
ticle. D. 7.
The MEMOIRS or vIDoCo. CHIEF OF
THE FRENCH PoLiCE.-This is one of the
most wonderful exposes ever printed, and
should be read by all that crave powerful
description For the amateurs of finn there