New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-22
Private Markets.

The proposed action of the city in taking
sides with those interested in the public
markets has caused the private market
men to draw up the following memorial. 1t
is numerously signed and will be presented
to the City Council to-day:
To the Honorable the Council of the City of New
The undersigned persons, interested in the pri-
| forth .,o.
of the CITY authorities to institute litigation
against them and ask that the Council reconsider
or countermand such acton.
Our grounds are that the CITY has 10 adequate
interest a. against US and on the other hand has
an interest in our prosperity and success.
Speculative interests are endesvoring to sup
presa us. Leesees aoon-keepers adjacent to
leased markets and others whose in tins
matter are agsinet free compe tition, AID only 3
few in fact. Of these classes. have Joined IL the
The only adverse decision in any private market
case was made final only BY an agreement between
the lessees and one plaintiff in error, against his
attorney and the rights OF NUMEROUS private mar
ket men who had contributed to the litigation.
VALIDITY of the law which was enacted in the in.
terest Of speculation, and especially Of ts appli:
cation when the city markets are in the hands OF
lessees, that no jury has been found to convict,
their conscientious doubts and opinions like those
of several Judges b. ing in our favor and endesvor
of plaintiffs to punish Ne under the guise OF con;
and Of iury trial We frnly believe viii fail, being
obviously oppressive and illegal.
The city has no pecuniary interest IS against us
except in stall rente. which, if averaged among
our ascertained number, would not exceed 81 Is
Der day to each market. We respectfully submit
that such interest is not to be considered when
used - &C argument for destroying the invest.
meuts property snd business Of the private mar
kets. We're the extra rents even greater. enforced
by destroying healthy competition, would they
not be . tax upon meat, upon the consumption Of
food by our people!
We Fave not been, and are not unwilling, to pay
ali due licenses and taxes, and are anxious to full
fill our duty in this respect. The license of $500
on private markets 10 prehibit0ry. Some of them
have been willing to pay this. but the city would
rot licen se them. City market stalls are licensed
ut S. Obection has been made to the variety OF
provisions we keep, but were We to pay the full
license of Q retail mercbsnt and stall license for
four kinds Of provisions, it would still be but one
seventh of the license named in the tariff but re-
IL sed to al within twelve squares Of city or les.
sees IL .rket. This is not equal and uniform or
legal
We believe, however, that the adverse action of
the city authorities has arisen more from q want
of full presentation and consideration Of our case
than otherwise, and not at al from intentional in
Justice. We therefore confidently invoke the con-
sderate action of the Council and ask that the city
shall al least abstain from all harrassng litigation
or proceedings against us which We conceive are
not justified by it's pecpnlsry Or other interests,
and especially IN this time Of unpar Alleled stagua
tiop in business and distress among our people.