New-York tribune., 1880-04-10
BUTTER IND NO BITTER.

Tho arrival of Congressional Sub-Com-
mittee in this city to investigate the
process OF making OleOmarRarine, and
public dinner with olcomargarine as q
concomtant, mark new point in the dispute with
the makers Of real butter. There has been much
wordy debate, which left the matter abont
where tho disputants found it. Generally
speaking If wo say that butter is butter and that
olcomargarino is oeonargarne we shall state the
case with all necessary equity. 1t may also be adj
mitted that good oleomargarino is better than bad
butter. Moreover, the more honestly the former Is
made, the more scrupnous the cleanliness exercised
in its production, the more careful the selection Of
sound sweet and healthy fat from which II Is to be
obtained the better will be the product. UndOubt-
edly thcro are many people who could not tell but
ter from OlcOmargarlDe, or who, II they detected
any difference, would not consider it to be Of the
least importance. But these same judges would 10
no closer critics of butter itself. Neither their
palates nor their noses arc very nice.
They cannot tell whether eggs or oysters or
meats are fresh or stale. Such people not par
ticulary interested in tho dispute. But there
those Of more delicate tastes, and Of nicer senses
generally, who would be naturally offended if the
dealer should put them of with ething when they
distinctly bought and paid for quite another.
Admitting all that is said in favor OF olcomarga-
rine its purity sweetness and healthiness nothing
whatever can be honestly offered in defence of its
sale az butter. If oleOmargarne be regarded rs
cheap and healthy substitute for butter there is not
n word TO be said against its sale SUCH The
whole point is to keep the two substances absolutely
distinct in the marlcet-as distinct as lard Is from
butter. Honest manufacturers will brand the
olcOmargarine plainly but honest retailers
will do something more. They will state to their
customers which thcy are selling. They will put up
placards inscribed Best Fresh OleomarGanne,
Very Cheap" Aud in time customers will learn to
call for it, instead Of asking for butter at ALL Sold
in this way, the new article may prove what
gentleman mt the Institute callod it, i" boon to the
community" Sold In any other way, there will be
a reasonable suspicion Of unfair dealing
The public ought to be great deal more suspicious
OF frauds and sophscations in articles of food than
it really s There is great deal OF cheating going
constantly for which the community has OILY to
thank itsof. Sometimes there exposures and for
awhilonO litlo excitement, at which dishonest deal
crs can afford to laugh, for they know that it Will
not by any means last forever. We do not believe
that single adulteration which did not prove too
expensive has eyer been abandoned. Ali thus shows
the necessity OF constant vigilance in purchasing
No law can protect buyer who will not take lit
te trouble to protect himself. Let the public de-
termino TO act with reasonable care, aud it need not
be alarmed Carcat cmpior which being interpreted
sgniies-Let the buyer beware 'Tis an old rule
of the common law, and rs good as ever.