The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-09-07

ton that Inspector Evans gave, on having such ex
ua0rdinary variations mentioned TO him, was that
the article must have been adulteratea after MS IN
specuOn but 1t is, to say the least, an instance OF
extraordinary negligence that, on learning OF suCh
0nered in the market in violation of the act he was
appointed to enforce. 4. Although all oils used IN
the limits OF Philadelphia are required to be on
clally inspected yet such official brand is not consl-
dered by the trade as q commercial indication OF
what the article really is. In many cases where the
Oil is thus branded and intended for home use, job.
bers prefer to pay Messrs Lockwood to make special
test rather than to abide by the official one, although
the charge for that s four times that of the private
agent; and in cases OF shipments East or abroad In
spectOr Evans certificate would not be of the slight
est credit. What If such reputation was borne by
s. In one instance Inspector Evans examined and
threatened to seize lot OF oil as below the standard
but when the certificate of Messrs. Lockwood at
testing to its being l12 degrees was shown to him,
he withdrew the charge, virtually acknowledging
seizure OF goods and trial Of an alleged offender has
been had by the Inspector in his eighteen months
Term OF oflce This was rs, the case OF Sllas Fuller,
with a misdemeanor for selling what he called
coordination fluid" which, 1t was alleged contained
large proportion OF benzine. The trial consumed
parts Of two days, and the jury returned verdict
OF not guilty. This acquittal was owing to the
vagueness and looseness Of the law in reference to
such fluids and the responsibility for its ineniciency
rests upon the party who fathered 1t. Not another
instance OF public prosecution of Offenders has oc-
CURED, although accidents are of frequent occur
renee Z. The accurate tests as given above of coal
oils sold at RETAIL show that very large proportion
is u0nU use, tDab IaulllleS might as well use
gunpowder as some oils sold. Yet, although the
duty Of the Inspector is to examine such oils sold at
retail, ana to seize such vile adulteratons the
deniable fact is that these admirable provisions of
the law are not attempted to be enforced and that
the sole idea the Inspector appears to have of his
oce is that its intent is to enable him to tax each
and every barrel Of refined petroleum consumed in
Philadelphia ten cents for his private purse.
Although the wholesale price of standard coal oil for
burning is 33 to 35 cents gallon, and the retailers
are supplied by middle men, or "wagon men, who
must make aproht, yet the surprising fact that re-
taiers sell oil by the pint at 3 cents, equal to 40
cents gallon seems to he unknown to the Inspector,
or at least OF no practical Importance.
What Must Be Done.
Life and limb are certainly not rated at too high
price, when for the sake Of selling an explosive oil
at penny pint less than good article can be af
orded, adulterations are kept in stock and sod-if
the tests made are fair indication-by fve-siXths
OF the couple of thousand groceries in our midst.
"The City OF Brothery Love" forsooth 1t had better
be christened the City of Brotherly Manning and
Wholesale Slaughtering, Licensed by Law! What
guarantee OF safety from conagratiOnS have citizens
who live close to stores where such explosive COM
pounds are kept on hand? and how great risks are
insurance companies content to stand for ordinary
premiums to obtain such questionable protection?
Whether these aduterations in burning oils are
made by retners, by wagOnmen or by retailers, is
not at present the point OF greatest Importance and
may be dwet upon at some future time. But upon
the facts plainly presented one inference is unavOd-
able to all conscientious men. The present lnspeC-
tor is wholly incompetent for the position he holds
the duties of the office are not administered in the
true intents OF the law, and the public wantonly
exposed to treside butcheries. If the act be eX-
tel ded to embrace some low-grade oils that
cape and be honestly and efficiently carried out the
community will have for thankfulneSS; but at
present the administration of the office is curse
and shame to the community that sanctions it,.
Governor Geary has duty to perform in this mat
ter duty that cannot be neglected without peril in
the future, and should not allow mere political par
tisanshp motives to prevent the immediate removal
OF Robert NJ Evans from his office as Inspector of