The Wilmingtonian., 1885-05-02
THE FREE MARKET.
MOST REPREHENSIBLE
MEASURE.
The New Enactment Covert Attack
Upon the Rights of the
Poorer Glasses.


limitation of the Free Market to Sixth Street
had not come upbefore the people of Will
mington IN its true inwardness, at an earlier
date of the Mayoralty campaign. The ordi-
nance however passed Council and is now
municipal statute.
We unhesitatingly declare that the enact
merlt is most reprehensble one, and an
outrage upon the rights ofthe poorer classes
who reside East of King Street The rights
of the seller have also, in most summary
manner, been nterfered with.
But the main question that THE WILMING-
ToNIAN deals with, las representative of the
unconsideged poorer classes and their proper
interests, is the fact that those members
Of council, who in this most unrighteous en-.
actment gratnitously(?) closed their ears
and handaged their eyes to the poorer in
habitants of Wilmington and added an
add itional tax to their already tax-ridden
pockets, cannot expect, in their turn, when
they pose for reelection to municipal
honors any greater consideration than they
have accorded their fellow citizens on this
occasion, when their rights were imperiled
and their pockets taxed.
The assumed reason for restricting the
King Street Market is fallacy.
| ol,a hal rin
tion affected to be endorsed by 5000 ctl.
zens There was petition handed in to
council signed by that number of citizens
asking for the restriction Of King Street
Market But there were not so of them by
actual count who are buyers and residents of
King Street environ. Ten thousand of the
poorer classes East of Market Street who
are the buyers of King Street Free Market
most strcnuously oppose the restrictive
enactment. 1t is too patent fact that they
are the citizens whose interests should have
been considered by council on Thursday
night. The 5000 petitioners are residents
of the West side of the city, interested in
the proposed Madison Street Market.
There is no objection to a market in that
quarter If the citizens in that locality need
accommodation, it is the duty of Council to
accord it them. But Council exceeds its
rights in arrogan tly curtailing the King
J Street Market, in order to bolster up the
new Madison Street project: THIS IS .22s
alone 'robbing Peter to pay Paul. but it is
an overt attack upon, and an uncalled tor
g interference with the vested rights of large
number of our poorest citizens, who can ill
G afford the time and expense of trudgtng on
t market days, all the way a across the city
/ from the extreme cast side to the west
/ The points and facts in connection with
S the Free Market legislation are, that-Tha
restriction of the King Street Market to
Sixth street, does not necessarily establish
' market on Madison street, the only p)si-
tive fact is that it Injuries King Street retail
trade aud limits almost to the extent of aa-
e Inhalation the marketing facilities of the
e whole population east of King street.
a Secondly, the crush of marketing people
: will be SO great, in this favorite resort of
our citizens, in consequence ofthe new ell
S actment that the market itself mly bo al.
r Judged by its covert enemies, nuisance,
Y and thereupon measures will ba instituted
. for its abolshment.
n Third, that the probability is that this is
s the hidden purpose of the instig ttors of the
Q recent enactment restricting the market TO
/ Sixth street.
h Fourth, that wera concensuS taken of
IS the wishes Of all the citizens of Wilmington
V upon the recent enactment, the 5000 cit-
j., zens' petition would be demonstrated as
l. drowned out of sight, and the theory of a
IS Free Market established as sine qua non Of
" the citizens municipal rights never again tl
r be trenched upon.
. Fifth, that this enactment will yet come
IS up as a test question in the present mayor
y atty campaign.