New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-23
A STRONGER DRINK THAN WHISKEY.
USING JAMAICA GINGER AS A BEVERAGE IN
MASSACHUSETTS.

USING JAMAICA GINGER AS BEVERAGE IN
MASSACHUSETTS,.
Boston, Dec. % (speclaD.-A case has been on
trial in the Superior Criminal COur of Dedham which
will be of special interest to temperance people
Jamaica ginger tippng, 1t seems. Is the latest OBJ
s;acle the enforcement Of tho liquor prohibitory
law This obstacle. the Prohbitlonsts claim, IS not
nsurmountable and the warfare which is being waged
against the alleged Illegal sale of tho apparently inno
cent extract or tincture will be watched with In
ierest Tho temperance people claim that tipping
By The of Jamaica ginger and other essences
well known to the public is becoming general In
places where no license prevails Illustrative Of
this IS the of the commonwealth against Will
lam II. Dobe, Of Quincy. town where the liquor
law IS rleidly enforced. Mr. Doble Is a grocer and
he charged with violating the liquor law by
selling Jamaica ginger. The evidence tended to show
thai he had manufactured and put up especially for
him certain bottles of Jamaica ginger and that he
kept for sale large quantity of 1t, Of course with
other articles, in his business. There was also evil
dcnce tending show that woman who was
drnlier OF Jamaica ginger had bought many as
two bottles day. 1t also appeared that the husband
Of this had warned Doble not to sell 1t to
her. Other evidence was given TO show that moro
less Of this Jamaica ginger was drunk as a
beverage. Henry FaxOn, It seems, Informed Mr.
Doble by letter that this article was an intoxicating
liquor, and that complaint would be entered against
him IL he did not desist from selling IT, Mr.
Doble admitted receiving the notice. Mr.. FaxOn OBJ
tanned bottle OF the ginger and had 1t analysed by
Professor sharpess the State Assayer The Professor
testified In that it contained 80 per Of
ALCOHOL about 3 per cent Of the solution OF Jamaica
ginger and the balance water. He also testified that
the ordinary Intoxicating liquors known as whiskey.
brandy and gin contain only 40 TO so per cent OF
alcohol John Eldrdge, who counsel for the de-
PENDANT, asked the court to rule that if tho article
Jamaica ginger that 1t not prohibited article
but that IL a medicine and the defendant had a
right sell It. lie asked the counsel to rule II
the defendant sold It not knowing to be nt0Xicating
that lie could not be convicted. The court refused
to rule saying that these were questions of fact for
the iLry to decide. On this point Judge Sherman
read to the jury the statute which provides
that person shall keep for sale sell intoxicating
liquors without license, and that liquors containing
than per cent of alcohol should be deemed In
toNcang within the meaning Of the law, and that
distilled spirits should be deemed intoxicating liquor.
The court further ruled that 1t not of any
sequence whether the defendant ignorant Of the
ntoNicant quality not having any license to sell in
toXcatng liquors If this Jamaica ginger was, IN fact,
Intoxicating liquor, he liable for violation Of
the law and it that he did not know II.
Professor SharDess testified that nearly all Jamaica
ginger contains about 60 to IS per cent Of alcohol.
Jamaica ginger used as medicine, like any other
medicine, he testified was not harmful. but the mo-
ment 1t began TO be used a beverage 1t became
disastrous TO the patient. great deal of the
and btters in the market he said. intoxicants
but are sold as beverages. most OF them being COM
posed OF whisX. with little essence 10 give them
flavor Professor Sharplcss also said that Jamaica
ginger which Is used as beverage, is much stronger
than ordinary liquors. The Jamaica ginger increases
IT'S strength and kills quicker than whskey. The
jury after being out several hours failed 10 agree
and were discharged. Had verdict of guilty been
supreme Court to pass upon the question whether or
not the Jamaica ginger in question comes within the
naq uf nj Ittp la N,1hp thor ma an
be convicted for selling It without license. 1t is
understood that In places where the liquor law IS
enforced whore the ordinary intoxicating liquors
not be obtained, there IS great demand for Jamaica
ginger and bottled btters, all of which, Professor
Sharplcss says, contain mainly alcohol. In these
towns such tipplers known Jamaica ginger
crcaslng.