Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1860-05-26
From the Alta California;

The recent act of the Legislature (approyed April
l4th), prohibiting the manufacture, importation,
or sale of aduteratel liquors, 1T appears to u.s. is
too stringent in its character to be operative. The
first section, enn6ning the operation of the pre-
scribed penalty tl those knowing the same iquorl
to have been adulterated," )" is all well enough; but
the second section authorizes any person believing
an article to be impure to make affidavit 70 that
effect whereon a sample may be seized and tested,
and If the article is found to contain impurities,
then the importer is deemed guilty of breach of
the law. When we consider the TACT that large
proportion doubtless three ourths of all the wines
and liquors imported, or in any way reaching this
market, are adulterated it would seem a very Sc
we're restriction to render punishable the mere act
of receiving them. In nine out of every ten,
importers can know little nothing of the quality
of the article imported, until it is tested. We say
imported. meaning direct from foreign countries.
L. regard to domestic ''manufactured'' liquors,
however, the presumption Is so much against their
purity, that their perncious character may be pre-
sumed in advance. This IS particularly the case
with brandies and wines. Still, it would be
hard case to hold guilty every recipient Of them,
since many are merely consigned, and some within
the range of possibility, may be pure.
A popular error is that liquors purchased "out
of bond" must be impure, and evidence of immedi-
ate withdrawal is generally received as guaranty
of purity quite sufficient. IL is well known. how
ever, thab IOteigu spirIts are 'uOcbOfeu at Tue
places of production, as well as of consumption,
and that Europe imports largely of common Ame-
rioan Pure Spirit, for the purpose of manufactur-
ing it into ''Old Cognac." and sending it back to
the Yankees.
A wholesale analyzation Of all the liquors re-
ceved at this, or any other port Of the United
States, would give queer results. Had the Legis-
lature in its wisdom passed an act appointing an
analytic department for spirits instead of for
meat provisions, perhaps the law referred to might
have been one of greater utility than it promises
to be, barring its application innocent parties.
The following is the act in regard to adultera-
tions, to which we have above referred. We re-
publish it for the benefit of parties interested:
/. Any person or persons who shall, alter the
passage of this act, incorporate or intermix any
drug or poisonous compound, or any other thing
deIeterous to health with any alcoholic or spirit
uous liquor, wine beer or cider, or any LIQUID used
as a beverage, or who shall cause or procure the
same TO be done, who shall import, SELL or dis
pose of, in any way. or give for use any alcoholic
or spirituUus liquor, wine, beer cider, other
liquid used as beverage, knowing the same to
have been adulterated, mixed OF compounded "a
aforesaid. who shall sell, give dispose OF any
recipe for the adulteratlon, compounding or moor
pOration of any poisonous drug or compound, or
other thing deeterious to health. with any alco-
holic or spiriuOus liquor, wine, beer cider, or
other liquor or beverage, shall upon conviction
thereof. before any Court of competent jurisdic-
ton. be fined for each offence. in any not less
than twenty five dollars more than five hundred
dollars to which shall be added the same fees and