Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-08-22
THEY PREPARE A STRONG PROTEST
AGAINST THE PROPOSED A6ATTOIR.
The Meat-seIlers Say the Scheme Emn-
mates from Selfish Motives-Ihetr
Side of the Question.

Tho butchers of this city who do their
own slaughtering are all violently op-
posed to the proposed scheme Of establish
ing an abattoir. a. suggested by tho Health
and Sanitation Committee Of the Chamber
of Commerce.
They maintain that tho idea emanatos
from those VINO have selfish interest in
tho matter. and assert that if necessary
they Will take thesmatter into court and
fight it with paid attorneys.
4 well-attended meeting Of tho meat
sellers was held last night IN the Office Of
Mes-rs We'll Il I1ellstern, corner Adams
and Marshall streets. with Mr.. A. Eichel IN
the chair. and II. u. Stern, az secretary;
The subject was informally discussed, and
the committee appointed TO take action
concerning the matter drafted the follow
ing paper:
We. the butchers. In meeting assembled,
beg TO present our views on the much
talked of abattolr question. In recent
issue of the DISPATCH was published
lengthy account of this question in the
proc edings Of tho Chamber Of Com
merce.
OPPOSED TO TIE SCHEME.
Knowing that this honorable body have
the welfare of the city and its people at
heart. and that nothing detrimental TO lts
interests should emanate from that body,
We would address our remarks more par
ticularly TO them, and through them To
the citizens at large.
Gentlemen, you may mean well, but you
have only heard one side of this question,
and that side happened TO be from a pri-
vate individual having no interest at stake.
Wa are bitterly opposed to the whole
scheme and can give our reasons therefor.
In the article above referred TO section l
SAYS that every private slaughter-hOuse ls
a nuisance. Who has ever before COM
plaiped Of such being the case? Why mas
il lust been ascertained now that there are
so many nuisances around usl Our next
door neighbors have never made any COM
plaint on that score. consequently those
fiying at distance know not whereof they
speak. for we make the positive assertion
and stand ready and willing to prove what
we say-vz,, that there Is no more healthy
part of the city than the territory occu-
pied by us.
Health statistics, backed by the evidence
of our most prominent physicians, bear Us
ont in our assertions. and lastly our fami-
lies and those connected with US are
living proof to the contradiction OF the as
sertIon.
Most OF the slaughtering is not done on
the north side Of ShOckoe creek, as claim
ed. il being lust the reverse, for only q few
OF the many slaughter-houses empty into
the creek.
SEVERE AND UNJUST.
What il said in reference to the offal
and carcass IS of sick animals. being thrown
out to fatten our hogs, we regard in
personal light as being rather severe and
unjust. TO say nothing or Its being untrue.
4 = IL ,Atl IA inn 70 tn "A
hogs except the offal of sound, healthy
cattle, a sick animal never entering our
lots if We are aware of il, all such being
cared for in a way BETTING the circum:
stances. Our commission merchants Will
bear testimony TO this being TACT.
Poultry offered in our public market is
often fattened on far worse oifal than hogs
are accustomed to getting through the
hole in the end of our primitive frame
buildings"
If il is nuisance 70 drive q few cattle
through our back streets once week, how
much greater would be the nuisance in
driving all the cattle through the same
streets to the abattoir!
We have said but little in comparison
to all we might say to Offset the assertion
that an abattoir is O necessity, and at the
proper time and place and before tho
proper tribunal we will rise with all our
might and main in opposition to this
speculative scheme.
WILL NEVER BE USED.
The abattoir may be built but Will never
be used for the purpose intended. We
cannot and will not be subjected TO any
such Inconvenience. and the moment the
abattoir IL erected you may as we'll de-
mollsh yonr markct-houses, for they. will
be empty, and thepromoters of the scheme
NAV congratulate themselves on having
done an irreparable wrong.
Instead OF beneftlng the city, the peo-
pie, or anybody, you will instead have
really benefited the western dressed-beef
producers. thereby wiplng out entirely
the industry of cattle-raIsing by our farm
ers. whose outlet now is Richmond and its
butchers; wiping out the business OF the
butchers. who have labored hard for their
possessions and who have been as class
the most liberal of our citizens. and in-
stead of lowering the price Of meats you
will have accomplished result Just the
reverse by fostering the western dressed
meat companies. who, when once fully es-
tablished. will sell you meats cheap-from
their standpoint.
Build the abattoir and at the same time
lock the doors OF the markets. for the one
is but death.blow to the other.
b. BRAUER,
q. SAxLxER,
A. EicHRL,
CommittAA