New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-25
WEIGHT INSTEAD or MEASURE.
MIR. HEWITT rRowNs on THE GRoCERs
HE GIVES THEN LAW, ADVICE AND CENsgRE
ALL IN ONE BREATH-To HAVE An
ORDINANCE AMENDED.

HE GIVES THEN LAW, ADVICE AND CENsURE
ALL IN ONE BREATH-To HAVE An
ORDINANCE AMENDED.
It was the turn Of the retail groccrs yesterday 10
argue their side of The before the Mayor regarding
the Justice and practicaby of tho ordinance which
requires the sale OF vegetables fruit and berries dis
posed OF In the markets, streets and public places TO DO
by weight instead of measurement. The committee
which appeared to urge Mr. Hewitt to anix bis sigma
tire TO the Aldermen's resolution were H. Rohrs'
nrcsdent Of the New-York Retail Grocers' Union;
Charles r. Bussng, cx-president; Assemblymsn \. ".
Ncuscbafer L. J. Callahan, Elisha Wintcr, d. Plumb
and John AuGnanger. school Commissioner A. u.
Cropsey OF Kings County, and John oDohneh' OF
The Jamaica Standard came as representatives. ..
tho Long Island farmers The interview was Orei
and breezy and resulted in decided rebuh Tor the
srocerymen. III
Mr. Bussing opened the case by declaring .nS' al
the crocers wanted was establishing OF fair ana
impartial method Of buying and selling farm pruauoo
lie referred to the constantly diminishing qua"ue' u
vegetables which the producers were seiiihg DS meas
ure ard said that the retailers were anxious ior 'no
adoption OF a standard for buying ana sciihg "non
would be ust alike to the producer, the dealer ana
the consumer.
Mayor Hewitt-why didn't you put It into the ordi,
nance them Why limit the reform to the msrAc's
'' Mr. Bussng-Bccause we advised that IN. me
Board Of Aldermen have no power except o''' '"''-
IN NE MayorYca were badly advised. They have as
much power over the sales OF the grocers a. tney
oyer 6Se s 10 approve T5 SS law Which compel the
farmers to sell to You b. weight c wae yTu can
All the committeeman protested that they were NO"
selling potatoes and other vegetables by "eisn' "
their places OF business, and were eager for nc pa
sage of an ordinance make that standard opiga'o'
The Mayor-What is sauce for the goose ls saSed
for the aa9der Go and get your ordinance an,enu4
then You are only wasting time here. 10" 81. nv
my a., ~nnrselves "a Won please You must maze 'he
regulation equal all around, without dis'ihc"o'
Mir. Callahan said that the ordnance IN me Iuds.
ment Of the Board of Aldermen. was all rght and
that they had been cXamiiinH i"'' ~"
many months. -. a.
The Mayor-DOnt anyhins to me me about y the
Boad Of Aldermen they ana mfaIbitv of the Board
of Aldermen 49,.
Mr.. Callahan (sarcascalyD-I see that you have
manc uo YOUR mind not 10 sign the ordinance
"i The kayor (angriy)-I have done nothing OF thu
kind But If had concluded to sign IT, lust sucn
speeches as yours would be apt to make NE change
nv mind Yor had better retire and Jet discreet
man take your place Amend II 80 as 10 o',.p7i DIX
sales to be by weight II you want me to sign H.
| The question to the power Of the Aldermen over
the retailing sales over again. and then Mr.
Dussing remarked he understood that the CORPORA
ton Counsel had given opinion that the Aldermen
were without power in the premises
The Mayor-Here is what the Corporation Counsel
said on Nav % last in answer to my request for an
"mnion and this opinion mas been I'm the possession
III the Committee on Markets. and accessible TO you
from that day TO this: Cslr levitt reaal an, an
not aware of any any provision or me Cohsttu-
zion OF the which prohibits the passing Oh sGcn
an ordinance and therefore beg TO adVise you mat
! tbe Common Council may legally pass an ordnance
/ which will compel all persons both wholesale ana -
tail dealers to sell fruit and vegetables by weight N
stead of by measure" IN the face OF this pa'l stai
ment Won come and tell me that you are Informed
| that the Aldermen are poweress to make ms
| ordinance fair and equal and just
II bombsheu had been dropped among the CON-
mteemen and exploded it could scarcely have created
greater sensation They all declared that they were
entirely ignorant Of Sr Deekmans legal CONCLUSIONS
and took their departure. saying that they would so
fh,r hest crdeavois TO have the ordnance fecaleu
! a-om the Mayors hands when the Aldermen meet on
Tbmeday and amended so as 10 include all sales OF
| vegetables. etc. making weight the standard III tlo
| market and in the corner grocery alike