State Legislation 201 



were devoted to the canal fund and to certain charities in New 

 York City and were therefore tenaciously held to.^''*' 



Despite the spirited campaign against auctions which arose 

 after 181 7, the New York Legislature was not moved to alter the 

 Act of 1 81 7 and make it more severe on auction sales. The 

 pressure was for federal rather than State legislation, for the 

 protection of manufactures was a national problem. Demands 

 were, however, made that certain abuses of auctions be cor- 

 rected.^''' The memorials of 1830-2 were closely considered by 

 special select committees and investigations were made by the 

 Comptroller. ^•'^ The penal parts of the law were defective^*'^ 

 and were strengthened by specific provisions.^'" It was not. 

 however, until 1846 that auction duties were lowered.^ "^ 



The Pennsylvania auction laws were not much unlike those of 

 New York.^'^ The culminating law of the pre-national period 

 limited the auctioneers to three for Philadelphia, fixed the bonds 

 at i20,ooo, auction duties at 1%, and varying commission rates.^'^ 

 Later laws provided for auctioneers at Lancaster,^'* Pittsburgh,^'^ 

 and other cities.^'® In 1821 the limitation on the number of 

 auctioneers in Philadelphia was removed^.''^ and special auction- 

 eers for horses, cattle and carriages were provided. The classi- 

 fication of auctioneers was further extended in 1822 with license 

 fees and bonds var3dng with the kinds of goods handled.^'* 



^'^'^ X. Y. Senate Journal, 1829, p. 252; see amendment to State Consti- 

 tution, 1835. For statistical statement of disposition, see Senate Document 

 80 (1863), Vol. 5. 



"' See list in N. Y. Senate Document 44, Vol. I, p. 9. 

 "^X. Y. Assembly Document 381 (1830); Document 53 (1831), Vol. 

 4; Senate Document 44 (1832), Vol. I, pp. 5, 28, 35. 

 "' X'. Y. Governors' Messages, III, p. 18. 



^'^ E. g., Act of 183s, chapter 62; Act of 1847, chapter 242; Act of 

 1849, chapter 399. 

 ^'^ Act of 1846, chapter 62. 

 ' For comprehensive detailed statement of the Xew York auction law 

 of 1840, see Hunt's, II, 73-5. 

 Act of 1780, chapter 908. 

 Act of 1808, chapter 96. 

 Act of 1814, chapter 178. 

 'Act of 1832, chapter 140. 

 Act of 1821,' chapter 161. 

 'Act of 1822. chapter 158. 



