The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-26
Mr.. M'GIENIs'S STATEMENT.
He Explains How He and Mr.. Lee Differ in Re-
gard to the Oleomargarine Case.

Deputy Collector McGinnis, in reference to
Mr.. Lees statement regarding the discovery OF
oleomargarine at the Insane Hospital. said. yes
terday. that some matters therein we're mislead-
ing. For some time prior to my visit to the
Insane Hospital" he continued, 'Mr. Lee, WHO'S
with Arthur Jordan claimed to know positively
that certain firm was receiving oleomargarine
and transferring il from the original tubs or
packages after it reached his warehouse, TO the
ordinary butter tubs, and then forwarding il 20
some party in the city of Louisville. This
claim was made by Mr.. Lee so frequently
that went to the Adams express Office and in
quired OF Mr. Henderson. the local agent at this
point, On what train usually the shipments made
by the company in question were sent 60 Louis
vile. He informed me that they were generally
forwarded on the j., M. g L train leaving this
city at o'clock P. NJ but that there had been
none made for some time. For several days |
was at the Union Depot looking for any eyi-
dence that might arise. There being evil
dence. the case abandoned The next case
reported by Mr.. Lee was the oleomargarire
ut the Insane Hospital. and as Mr.. Lee says.
the visit was made the morning of April
IA by him and myself There shown
to by Mr.. Hyde. who. understand.
is the assistant steward, some butter which
was in a tin pan. WAS looking at this butter
asked him (Leel what it was, and be Immediate
ly pronounced it oleomargarine."
Did you examine any more OF the same quail
1tyE he asked
Yes, and the next lot was in the ice-box or
refrigerator room, and consisted OF four and
one half tubs. This lot was also examined by
me and Mr.. Lee, and he also pronounced it
oleomargarine. I also thought it oleomar-
garine, and so informed Mr. Sullivan. While at
the hospital asked Mr.. HYDE who furnished
the goods, and he said Sullivan. then asked
him il he had the bill or invoice, and he said it
was in the hands of Mr. Hall. the steward. I
fn .nb. and noticed Gss Mr. Hsde
that the goods must not be used
released until examination could be made by
me- He asked if the onehalf tub could not be
used for dinner as that was the only butter at
the institution. | informed him he could, but
in any the tub when empty was to remain
came back to the city and left Mr. Lee at the
postofice building. Immediately went to the
revenue Office and applied the only test we have,
there being official tests In use by the gov
eminent except those in Chicago The test was
made by me before went to dinner. and was
assured as was MIR. Wadsworth, who me
make the test that it was. oleomargarins.
ner Y m m3 Mr.. 'A' jordan n' Ai and 'i he
asked me if had tried or tested the butter. and
/ told him had. and that it was my opinion it
was oleomargarine."
did you call Sullivans attention to the
mafterla
II went TO Mr.. Sullivan's Office 10 the court
house. Not finding him in. left word for him
60 come TO the revenue Office Soma tine after
I hal returned TO my Office Sullivan came in and
wanted to know why had detained his butter
at the Insane Hospital, and told him because
it is oleomargarine. This he declared false. and
said that h was ssnras that that should try to
handling oleomargariEe he would certainly have
to pay the amount of the special tax. Is required
by other dealers He then wanted me to release
the packages, and said that he did not
wish to get any more notoriety than
he already had. This also refused to
course of half hour James NJ. Balfour.
wholesale and retail dealer in oleomargerine,
came into the revenue Office in order to make
his monthly return and seeing me with the
tests and the butter in them. asked what l
was doing and what had I told MIN oleomar
gerine, and asked him to examine it. He did
so. and remarked to me in about these words:
WELL Mc. am paving the government license
for selling oleomargerine, but if was handling
this would not pay anything / asked him
Why. and he said because it is butter This PIT
me to thinking, and after Mr.. Balfour had gone
l went over TO the market-house and asked Mr..
Clark, man who has paid the special
tax a dealer in oleomargerine ever
since the law went into effect, and I may say
the only this city who has continuously
paid such tax to come over to my Office; that
/ had some butter oleomargarine that /
wanted him to pass upon He came at once and
examined it, and said at that it was butter.
/ then asked him now. if 1t was butter. Ii would
not show as butter, and he informed ma that the
reason was because it had been heated for the
purpose of mixing and coioring. and that in
heating il the grain was broken, which gave it
a dead, salvey appearance Mr. Clark also in
formed me that had immersed the test tubes
into the hot water while it was too hot,
and that if I would allow it to cool it
would show up all right. I allowed
it to remain 10 the tubes until Sunday after
noon, when again tried ie. this time putting
the tubes into the water while it was yet cold,
and, heating the butter at the same time
heated the water in the cup. It then separated
as any ordinary butter will do. and I wrote to
the steward of the Insane HOSPITAL, giving him
the card which appeared in the Sentinel OF April
"a.
"You did not attempt to wink at an evasion
of the law?"
1.-THE charge of any attempt on my part
to evade prosecution of Mr.. Sullivan or
any else who violates any of the
internal revenue laws is not true, and
I think every man with whom have had any
dealing since / have been in the Office will bear
me out in this The matter referred to Col
lector Hunter. who said acted rightiYn