The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-02-01
SANITARY ExCAvATING MONOPOLY.

We are gr8t1neu tO soc tuiso v'''""o
been Introduced to repeal the monopoly
created in 1874 in favor Of the Sanitary
and Mcuyating Company IN this city
T'he work Of excavating had, mp tothe
date Of the incorporation Of the Sanitary
Company, been conducted by regularly
licensed vidangeurs, who did their en-
tire work under the inspection and
sanitary regulations Of the city. The
persons thus engaged were, generally.
men OF humble means, and we under
stand that q large number OF laboring
men found constant employment In this
necessary work. Their work was con-
Quoted In tho dead OF the night and
subject to the sanitary and police regu-
lations OF the city government. and was
always q matter Of contract between
proprietors and the vidangeurs.
But Radical rapacity having appro-
| priated all the public stocks and fran
chises Of the State, and having taxed to
the verge OF c~onflscation the property OF
| the weather. classes was not content.
It saw that laboring men were earning
good wages by excavating vaults, etc.
In this city, and forthwith the law GREAT
ing the Sanitary Excavating Company
was passed through Kellogg's Legisla-
ture and approved by the usurper Kel-
logg himself. That law, under the asser-
ton that the company Incorporated by
it had patent rights and improved
methods Of excavating, which would pro-
mote the public health, gave to this
company the exclusive right to excavate
vaults, etc. In this city, and, under
severe penalties, prohibited the vidan-
geurs from working further at said
business.
Thus thousands OF laboring men. who
had invested their means In the vessels,
| carts, animals, etc., necessary for said
work, and who had paid license to the
| city to pursue said occupation, were de-
MED the right to exercise their avoca-
ton. They were denied the right to
earn their bread in the sweat Of their
brow, and this, too, at a period when
| there we're harder times and greater
depression than had been known for
| years. srgal.t tnH aaH
When the slalghterhouse act was
passed 1t did not deny the butchers the
right to follow their occupation as such.
That act prohibited no one from slaugh-
tering animals In this city, but merely
provided the place and method In
which, for alleged sanitary considera-
tons, tho butchers should pursue said
,,u,tpo ArI wAA thu .1,vIAnc
house net was decided to be valid BY
only u majority Of our State Supreme
Judges, and In the Supreme Court OF tho
United States It was decided to be con.
stitutional by five Judges against tho
dissenting opinions Of four Judges, In
Guiding the Chief Justice. .5I
What, then, must be said Of the L.
gality OF this menstrous monopoly
given to the Sanitary Company, which,
rs we are informed, provides no i'm
proved sanitary regulations for exca-
waiting. etc, In this city. and which abso-
lutely prohibits the licensed vidangeurs
of the city and all other persons from do
ing such work. In law, public policy, and
morals, this %excavating monopoly IAN
not be justified or defended.
The iniquity OF this law, we feel sure,
was not known to most OF the legisla-
tors who passed 1t. The rewards which
1t has brought to the favored few, who
hold its stock, were doubtless known to
the shifty, kcen-witted ring chiefs, and
hence Its passage. 1n
We believe thatthe Legislature will re-
peal the act. for its burdens fill on the
laboring men Of this city, white and col
ored, equally.
It has been enforced by injunctions,
and litigation can be so retarded that
this company can protract 1t for years.
There Is no present relief from this in
tolerable monopoly, except by o repeal
OF the law.
Let it 60 with the lottery law, and
with all other laws that Cypress the
poor, for the benefit Of q select few. Let
1t be repealed at once, SO that II the
usurper shall veto it, the repeal can be
missed Over his veto.