Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-25
but ruin, might yet be what the French
kings dreamed it would be, one OF the
thriving ports OF the New World.
Iuspectiou Laws.
h'PNfstth tfs"
TO the Editor Of me DisUntcb.

ahFPNfttOh
To the Editor of The Dispatch:
Governmental inspections abridge the
privileges of the citizen. lessen the facili-
ties Of trade, and burthen the public with
needless tax. The continual enlarge
ment of Government patronage and its
exercise Of authority over the details of
business and social life strike the obser-
want mind with amazement. Under the
guise of guardianship of the people,
against imposition OF each other, laws
are enacted giving place and con-
sequence to official adjusters and arbitra-
tors that are TO exercise discrimina-
ton in matters of which they are
little acquainted, and in respect to the
decision Of which they are continually
under the influence OF prejudice, bias,
aud temptation to do wrong, aud whom
tict on those for whom a supposed benefit
was TO result often injury, aud perhaps
fraud. Indeed, this idea OF necessary
guardianship of Government is frivolous,
and the inspection is rather the sugges-
ton of office seekers than of those de-
string such service in their behalf.
Buyers and sellers are competent to act
for themselves, and sharpen their judg-
ment, from necessary experiences that
make the Intervention OF inspector
sham in the business.
The right of the citizen in respect to
option and choice in his dealings is I'M
questionable his privilege to buy min
spected goods should be voluntary;
but if the law requires all packages to
have the inspectors brand. be is obliged
to buy the brand of the inspector, and
not the goods on his own Judgment and
the buyers, as a class, are far better
judges Of the goods than the inspectors.
The right to choose a market should
carry with it the right TO purchase free
of tax. except such taxes rs are uniform
and imposed for the direct support
of Government, and not for the
opinion Of n supposed expert, on
whom the buyer does not wish to rel Y.
Indeed the buyer may Justly claim that
tine very nature of the inspection service
serves mainly to break the cham of re
sponsibility of the seller to him. and
serves to screen the vendor from retribn-
ton for deficiency OF quality and value
and makes the seller and buyer strangers
to each other, when their transactions,
uninhuenced by an intervening agency,
would establish mutually fair understand
ings and equal obligations OF good faith.
1T should be the aim of Government to
avoid tempting its people with political
machinery that tends to corruption, and
the irresponsible exercise OF arbitrary
authority. The inspectors are not ac-
countable for the error or fraud Of opln
ION or Judgment and against the injury
they may inhict. Inc injured has no
remedy, though it often amounts to
great personal wrong and damage.
The seller sells the inspectors brand
and not his own produce that ne should
be responsible for; and be may sell the
brand that he has corruptly barGaiued
Tor. Besides, every additional mili OF
expense added to the cost OF articles of
human want and consumption is pub
lie wrong and becomes Just cause OF
public complaint, aud aggregates in one
way or another a heavy tax.
Again, these needless Offices multiply
Government patronage till political abuse
Of them eugenders hostile public senti-
ment OF the people toward the Govern
ment, for which their attachment should
be sincere and abiding. This state OF
things could not arse if the citizens
were LETT to the exercise OF their Own
Judgments and privileges OF business
and social arrangements necessary to
their own comfort aud welfare.
Again, no substitute for tie inspection
and test of the consumer himself will
answer. He alone must be made from
experience and interest Cat his own cost,
which is cheapest to HIM the best Judge
of his wants and the propriety of en-
terprse, and OF the value and quality
of what he wishes to buy; and ms con
tracts should be directly with the com
mission merchants or producers, so that
ne can hold them accountable for their
contracts. Besides, the nature and con
dition OF almost all articles of trade rem
der actual inspection absurd short OF the
packages being opened. subjected to use,
or culinary process, and to uncooper or
break packages in the hands of the in
spect or damages them from % to 80 per