New-York tribune., 1879-12-29


York, has never been worse than at the present
time, owing partly to the neglected streets and
par " in consequence Of overcrowtng by the con-
slant increase of venders of meats and vegetables
II Is known. also, that political considerations pre-
vent the enlargement and Improvement Of what is
probably one of the 6thIest marts in the world.
-
SCENES IN WASHINGTON MARKET
THE OVERCOMING AND TuMULT-TRAFFIc OUT
SIDE THE BUILDING - insufficient SPACE
wJTHIN-DIRT EVERYWHERE.
A person coming into or leaving Newly
at eay hour of day, aud passing Fulton
vescysts the Hudson River, be gratiGed by
scene which could hardly have bcen surpassed ia
noise, confusion and dirt by thar which
sued at the famous break MP OF the
contractors engaged in the building Of the Tower Of
Babel Stretched along both the streets named Will be
ound farmers wagons. with their tired horses still In
the harness. each wagon filed with goods less
and fresh, the OF which call out in deaf
ening tones the low rates at which they
will sell. Along the sidewalks, on improyised
stands. are displayed all sorts OF goods from
wooen stockings and secondhand clothing to
trumpery glass and crockeryware Mingl,ng with tne
cries OF the venders OF fruit and vege abes may
hear the voice OF some weak old woman piping for
TONERS for cheap and awdry prints Of all the Saints
Photographs OF in almost all degrees Of nudity
displayed for sale at the stand with poodle
dogs arrayed in apparently too great proluson
Further IN Washington and West-sts the traveller
will encounter the hundreds OF wagons which come to
carry away 10 different parts of the city the accdmu
lations Washington Market, and here will
the climax OF noise, confusion, dirt and pro anty Both
streets almost daily witness "a blockade" apparently
mextrcable and only relieved by the nierpOstiOn OF
the pocemans authority Each individual driver has
ideas OF his TO his inaenabe right only to
free and speech but be first served and the
last get out OF way. The submest indifference
the comforts and rights OF all others exists IN the mind
of eacn; and the frequent near approaches to
bloody personal encounters would lead n naturally
timd man think his life not safe IN the vicinity
These not only anu vulgar but dirty III
the Their wagons often greasy and shiny
with OF the loads OF food tney carry Is
not only bew!lderng put disgusting scene II is not
reassuring OF these dirty with quarter
OF beef, still and ouly hall dressed. ON his dirty
shoulder and in his grimy hands, dump 1t Into one
wagons with other oarcasses, then scramble
over the whole. and with the Inevitable oah to the
horse drive away afraid the natural heat OF the
animals would be out OF their before they
reached the consumer.
II tne traveller will return at night through
these lac Will nud this morning confusion
still confounded streetcars add new terror 10
blockade. The retail purchasers seem to visit this
"Rlg Fair at ngnt and the sidewalks crowded un
I'll passage ways must be worked with the elbows. The
cnrs appear intensified. In the morning large pur-
chasers mainly visit the market but at night the null
titudes OF small aickers to barter with the huck
sters and then driven by the eXgencies OF trade and
sharp rivalry o their neighbor handle then customers
with familiarity that Is not ony disgusting but cal
culaed to create tlle terror Tnc would be
picturesque with the colors, the lights and the dis
cordance OF place and the persons It not for
the overpowerng sense, TO eye and nostrs alike, o.
filth.
DISCUSSING CONDITION OF THE INTERIOR.
But VIC must 90 into Washington Market Itself ap-
preciate fully what the word means. The market
. mucB an anomaly among the fine and oOmmodious
buildings that within hundred yards Of Its
as row OF squatters cabins would be the slope Of
Murray Hill II Is more than an anomaly 1t is "a dis
grace. While DID, deerept buildings have been cleared
away and been replaced by or nave at least
conormed the improved conditions OF the times this
clumsy umeworn structure still exists. conspcu
ousy deiormed and out OF place than ever the mock
and scorn OF all benU!ders. There II, IN truth
10 meaner, poorer place IN all the city; and
the impOIta and useful purpose 10 which
II Is applied makes IL all the meaner ana
slightly, with not SINGLE compensatng or redeeming
feature The roof 10 iull Vf holes, and the window
every side, aud Is IN every part dHty You approach
through the line or NOISY veDders described aud enter
within between The stands that on a crowded ds' YOU
have TO push AID squeeze your Way along The floors
hang the and dilapdated roof until you almost
fear that your head may louch them. Tue
tnoy are OF structure and insufficient
dimensions and their back accommodations for the
meagre. Light and ventilation arc more the re-
suit of accident that OF original design, The
tnai positively oppresses 1t bad y kept and is
always out OF repair On wet day water drips In from
broken panes. IL dismal aud chcerl IS place as
can possibly be found. Tue refuse Of the stalls Tor the
disposal OF which there is wholly inadequate provision.
permitted TO minge with tue other dart OF the place
On damp days tne mud OF the streets carried INTO the
~
mingng Win the refuse, soon renders the hoor not
only sloppy ana dirty out shppery, until 'ccomotion
AK who is sponsDle for all thIs and We get two
an csiab shed trade the large Ike Del
monlco Smith Mcneil the 0lS notels, etc. VIII answer
tbings ghted," they say, Z" bur they don't mind u.s.
they do notbngor If lhey DO perchance, do anything
II Is always cheaply and bady cone We are IN their
hands Our Interests are OF no consequence 10 theuL
TIE nvnad small dealers Will del, nd the politicians
ana sustain then too for they oppose the c0nstruc
ZION OF new and Improved marseI , costing
such n movement 10 build up the large dealers
WAC afor. costly stalls at h'a ayy rental. and the
ness r politicians who the market Will tell you
what ruethat the vast majority OF stall owners do
ing On scale ut TINS point wOulc ever be occu-
pied. During the period necessary TO build market
lately the market would oe scattered In
parts Il the city, The trade of great number would De
town, those who survived wou3 esver come down town
again."
WHAT A BETTER NJ. tLD EFFECT.
How many private indvlt de'y themselves the
luxury Of going 20 Washngtyh Market by OF
coarse surroundings association It Is hard to say
but enlarged accommodations and a cleaner brighter
would certainly attract larger number thanat
present ana be the means besides OF a considerable in
crease 10 It's revenues OF the many evils by which It Is
encumbered locality and difficulty OF approach are
among promnen and most widely experienced
According the law street distractions are per-
mitted within 800 yards Of any pubnc market but as
applied this market the law Is still q
dead letter, IN spite OF late efforts All
down veeey.s crowd Is dense, ard tne vendors
are SO caDorOus and persistent IN their eagerness 70