New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-03-21
VOLUME K.-NO. 297.
Meeting Of the Butchers.

Meeting Of the Butchers.
Anumber of the most prominent butchers
OF the city and those who are interested
with them in the enforcement Of the sani.
tasy laws Of the city and securing guar
Antee Of pure meats to the citizens, a..
se1hled last evening ct Mechanics Insti-
tute, IN the hall that was once used for the
uppee branch Of the General Assembly.
II. Joseph H. Raymond called the meet
ing b order and in very brief sentences,
but forcible language, told the gentlemen
present that they were called on to take
action, or at least to make come declara
tien that would lead to such action that
would relieve the meat buying and sup
plying public from the burdens that now
af1ct both. He stated that several gentle
men would address the meeting.
w. r. Whitaker, ESQ.,, was first called on
and clearly presented the law ~ it had
always existed in New Orleans. He then
referred to the private markets Of New
Orleans as regulated by act No. 81,
which was not signed by tho Governor
but became law February 70,
1874, without his approval. He read
and commented on each section, ana
claimed that the city should enforce the
law. The health of the city was dependent
on the purity Of the markets. The govern
ment can not allow impurity. The act had
been passed in this interest, and all that
was asked was that it should be enforced by
the city authorities.
General l.. Sewell followed. His argu-
ment was principally devoted to showing
that the security of the public health de-
pended on the proper sanitary regulation
of the markets. 1t was not enought that
the public markets should be clean, but the
possibility of unauthorized private markets
should be avoided.
He presented the following resolution and
preamble:
WHEREAS. The health of New Orleans
requires that the system of free markets be
suppressed, the city being unable to pro-
vide for their proper daily :, lnspectaon; p ana
of 1874, prohibits the establishment Of pri-
vate markets within twelve squares Of pub
ic markets; and
Whereas, The opening of private mar
kets within twelve squares of the public
markets is Q positive injury to the holders
of property in the vicinity of the public
markets, as we'll as to the leesees OF the
stalls in the public markets; and
Whereas, It is clear that the community
generally can not te injured by the en-
forcement of the terms of the law referred
to. permitting, in tact, the establishment OF
a private market within six squares from
every citizens residence; and
Whereas, SAID law authorizes ana directs
the Administrator of Commerce of the city
of New Orleans to close, or cause to be
closed, any private market established IN
violation of said law; and
Whereas, Violations Of said law are fire.
quent and continuous, and such violations
are made, by statute, misdemeanors; there
fore, be it
Resolved, That committee be appointed
by this meeting to wait upon the Admins
forcing said law.
Colonel Charles w. Lowell being present
was called on to address the meeting.
He said this law was perfectly plain. The
resolutions as read are ir accordance with
it. Act No. 81, until repealed, must be
lcbeyed, unless the courts declare it not law.
They have not done 80. It is law. Section
lUTC0 VI tu0 0SV AAeOcOC . Hoey " A>~~
and imprisonment on those who violate it.
Itimposes on the Administrator of Commerce
the duty of informing the grand jury of any
violation. The Judge of the First District
Court is commanded by the fourth section
to charge the grand jury as to the provi'
sions OF this act. Although the grand jury
is removed to another court the duty of the
Judge before whom the grand jury is sworn
10 not changed by the law creating the new
court. In the fifth section of the act the
issuance of licenses lie regulated. tits COM
manded that on the back shall be printed
1t is distinctly understood that the holder
of this license shall not open. ests olish or
carry on q private market within twelve
squares of any public market, under the
penslty of forfeiture of this license.
Taking all the provisions of law together,
it is the duty of every citizen, when he be-
comes aware Of an infrsction of it, to pre-
sent the matter to the grand jury. 1t is his
duty. It is not necessary to wait for the
assistance of the city. The law should be
enforced, and it is the duty Of all to call on
the grand jury to notice any violation OF it.
At the conclusion of Colonel Lowell's re-
marks the resolutions were adopted, and
the meeting adjourned.