New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-02-15
the PRIVATE MARKET INrEREs,
A Mass Meeting Last Night.

Mass Meeting Last Night.
Formal announcement was made Satur-
day morning that the friends of the private
market interest would hold mass meet
ing in Mechanics Institute, last night to
discuss the subject. The interest so far as
was manifested, was not intense; neverthe.
less, there existed a determination which
meant much.
Advocates in the Third District held an
imprOmptu meeting in O'Neil Hall, on
Elysian Fields street, preparatory to march
ing to Mechanics Institute in a body.
They had band of music, and made quite
lively display on the route.
At the meeting Captain Peter Joseph was
elected president, and James Reardon Sec
rotary, and after few short speeches the
assembly formed in line and marched to
the mass meeting.
In Mechanics Institute Mrs. T. Drouett
was chosen president; Mr.. G. l.. Dubarre
secretary, and Captain P. Joseph chairman.
Mr.. Drouett briefly stated the object of
the meeting, in French and in English.
DR.. V. o. King was loudly called on for
an address. When that gentleman stepped
forward he was loudly cheered. We will
give synopsis of his remarks:
This question of private markets, he said,
has been agitating the residents OF New
Orleans for several weeks, because a bill
had been prt pared to greatly restrict the
usefulness OF private markets. Twenty
five or thirty years ago England concluded
- ohnlish tho nnhIc marEQt
nopoly and permit dealers in all kinds of
goods to sell at their pleasure and where
they pleased. Then began what is known
as green grocers, and which proved an ex.
cellent institution; all mOnOpOlies that bore
on provisions we're broken up. European
cities followed the example, and finally
the system came over the ocean, finding
friends in New York. Boston, Chicago, st.
Louis and other cities. In the year 1866
our Legislature took hold OF the subject and
adopted law permitting what are now
called private or free markets. and about
400 of them soon sprung into useful ex.
cstence. Poor people especially were bee
fitted, and it is not strange that all classes of
residents felt outraged when it was proposed
to interfere with them. The mere fact
that they were threatened aroused the pop
ular feeling; indeed the press OF this city Is
unanimous in favOring private markets,
and we know that when the daily press
advocates cause, that cause must be the
right one. This question is not one OF poll.
tics or of nationaities; we are all directly
and evenly interested in obtaining cheap
food, and that without undue restriction.
We demand of our representatives to heed
the cry before il is too late. Lieutenant
Governor Antoine has expressed himself
very emphatically in favor of private mar
kets as they now exist, and says he will
champion it. We do not like any law which
tells us that we must procure our necessi-
ties from Smith or Jones. The opposition
has attempted to use arguments in favor of
the bill at present before the Senate, but l
declare that they have used no argument,
the word subterfuge is better. If, as Ad.
ministrator Turnbull says, private mar
kets sell rotten meat, then the people
who purchase it are certainly idiots
Now l think that our people have
sufficient intelligence not to take spoiled
meat from anybody. There are sanitary
laws which govern private as well as pub
lie markets; the law of 1866 fixed that COM
pletely, but the City Administrators have
been remiss in executing that portion of
the law they are directed to attend to.
The card of Administrator Turnbull, pub
lished in one of our city journals, was
easily cOntrOverted by another from In
spectOr Lynch. This latter gentleman de-
clared that private markets sell the best
meat that comes from the slaughterhOuse.
Before the law of 1866 was enacted there
were rings in the public markets and the
farmers held stalls at enormous prices, too
dear for poor dealers. Small dealers can
now procure buildings at low rents, so they
undersell men who pay high rents. l will
oppose the passage of the bill, and all OF
you should exert yourselves to defeat it.
Senator Brewster was loudly called for
and responded:
He said he felt great satisfaction at ap-
bearing before the people to speak OF some
thing which had no particle of politics In it,
especially as the subject is one that inter-
ests all. Although he is from a country
parish he is fully able to understand that
private markets as conducted in New Or
leans are an excellent institution he has
visited some of them, and discovered that
they are in some instances superior to pub
lie markets; are certainly cheaper. One OF
the speakers at the Magazine Market was
very like the backwoods Congressman who
proposed to do away with taxation entirely,
and pay expenses out of the treasury. lie
was satisfied that if the bill should again
go before the House it would be defeated,
especially since the subject has been SO
thoroughly discussed. He promised to use
his best efforts to defeat the measure when
it comes before the Senate, and he thought
that Governor Kellogg would veto the act
if passed, and expressed the belief that
Governor Kellogg was doing much to bene.
fit the people generally.
Judge Bolden was called for, but he de.
clined to speak at present. He declare d
himself in sympathy with the meeting.
Judge Dumont's name was called. He
was present but excused himself from max.
ing speech.
Mr.. Deslonde stated that several persons
in the room understood the English Ian.
guage butpoorly. therefore some one should
address them in French.
Mr.. Wharton, an attorney, was called
and promptly went forward. We have too
little space to spare to give even synopsis
of his remarks. His words elected loud
applause.
The meeting adopted proper resolutions
and then adjourned in the best kind of
order.
r.