The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-01-18
The Supreme Court of Appeals.
DECIDES IN FAVOR OF SEATING JUDGE HINTON
JUDGE LEWIS DIssENTs.

The Richmond State of Monday gives the
following account of the decision of the Su-
preme Court in the now celebrated Burks-
Hinton case
When the Court of Appeals met this morn
ing the room was crowded, it being generally
known that the opinion in the case of Judges
Barks and Hinton would be rendered. When
the court was called to order Judge Lewis said
Judge Lacy would read the opinion of the
to deliver his opinion, which was very vol
luminous and occupied nearly an hours time
| in the reading. The opinion was that Judge
| Burks was only elected for an unexpired term,
and consequently that Judge Hinton was en-
! titled to his seat.
After Judge Lacy finished his opinion Judge
Fauntleroy said he concurre6 and Judge Rich
ardson said he concurred, but that he had pre-
pared his views in writing, though owing to
| indisposition and want of time he had been
unable to complete the work He thought,
however, that such was the Importance of the
| question and the gravity of the issues involved
| that he felt it due to himself and the members
OF the Bar that he should deliver orally his
views upon this question. Judge Richardson
then at length spoke upon the question and
delivered his opinion in a very animated way,
his voice at times filling the court room and
being heard outside.
Judge Lewis then read his opinion in which
he dissented from the views of the Court in
this case. His opinion was not 30 long as the
two preceding. He cited the fact that the
when appointed to fill vacancies, were always
appointed for the full term of office, and said
after diigent search he had been unable to
find anything in the Constitution that war
ranted the assumption that judge was elected
for an unexpired term. This decision of the
court settles the contest between Judges
Atkins and Christian for the seat on the Hust-
ings Court bench, of Richmond, and also SET
ties the term of Judge Aiken, of Danville, who
shares the fate of Judge George l.. Christian.
Is Alum Poisonous?
DR. Halls Joawmalof Hea1th,i in recent issue,
says
This question has caused good deal of
discussion. Alum is used by many bakers to
whiten their bread, enabling them to use an
inferior -four. 1t is more extensively employed
as cheap substitute for cream of tartar In the
manufacture of baking powders. 1t has not
been considered Immediately dangerous, al
though if continued it induces dyspepsia and
obstinate constipation. But the fact that many
cases of poisoning have occurred from baking
powders which contained alum, puts the ques-
ton in more serious aspect,and prudent peo-
pie will exercise caution in the selection of
baking powders.
Under what conditions then, does this sub
stance-formerly used only for mechanical or
medicinal purposes become poisonous? They
are certainly obscure, and at present we can
only surmise what they may be. Wesuspect that
the cause exists in the individual poisoned
some popularity of the constitution producing
a morbid change in the secretions of the stom-
ach, with which the alum combines and forms
an active poison; or the secretions may be
healthy but in unusual proportions, and that
these less or greater proportions, in combina-
ton with the alum, constitute poison.
"For example,two parts of mercury and two
parts of chlorine form calomel, which is not
poisonous but change the proportions to one
part of mercury and two parts of chlorine,
and we get corrosive sublimate, which is q
eadly poison.
of constitutional peculiarities Why is it that
one person can eat all kinds of green fruits
and vegetables with impunity, while the same
course might cost another individual his life
One person can handle poison ivy and sumac
without being in the least affected another is
poisoned if he approaches to within ten feet
of them. Out of a family residing in malarial
district, some of the members will suffer half
the year with fever and ague, while the others
will enjoy excellent health during the year.
Foods that are wholesome to some persons are
actually poisonous to others. This is espec-
tally true of some kinds of fish. There is no
safety in taking alum into the stomach, as it
is shown to be always injurious and often
dangerous. Baking powders properly COM
pounded, and containing pure cream of tar
tar instead OF alum, are more convenient than
yeast; and bread and pastry made with them
are just as wholesome, and far more palatable
We are in entire sympathy with the manu-
facturers Of the Royal Baking Powder-who
commenced and are vigorously conducting the
war against the use of alum in baking pow
ders.
Before committing ourselves, however, we
made tests of a sufficient number of baking
powders to satisfy ourselves that the substltu-
ton of alum for cream of tartar IN their COM
position has not been over-estimated, while a
careful examination of the Royal Baking Pow
der confirms our belief that DR.. Mott, the
Government Chemist, when he singled out
and commended this powder for its whole
someness, did it wholly in the interests OF the
public.
ave do not hesitate to say that the Royal
Baking Powder deserve the gratitude of the
community whom they are endeavoring to
protect
"Will not some prominent manufacturer of
pure Candies follow their example,and expose
the secrets of business that is doing untold
mischief to little children ?"