The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1889-07-05

SATURDAY. issueof the st. Paul Dispatch
contains nearly page of opinions re-
garding the sentiment of people anent
the new meat inspection law and its OPP
Grafton in various localities. A close re-
view of the printed interviews shows a
large preponderance of sentiment hos
tile to the law, as it has failed to improve
the quality of meat or to increase the
price-two important things that were
contended would result by advocates of
the measure. Opinions cleaned from
interested parties in Mankato are here
with annexed and read as follows
J. M. Karmany, one of Mankato's
butchers, said: SIT is simply taking $50
q year out of my pocket. l always keep
the best beef can get and would keep
no tainted meat in my shop, as / know
il would be to my disadvantage. The
law is favorable to the st. Paul and Min
neapolis packers and stock yard men, as
it gives them the whole trade of the
state. Outside of these two places and
Duluth there isinot butcher whose in
terests would not be enhanced by the
repeal of the Law. The city could pro-
tect butchers, lift would, by licensing
butcher shops end thus prohibiting far
mers from peddling dressed meats in the
fall and Writer.
c. III. Lindsey stated that the law Is
an injury to the butchers at present, al
though when the winter season comes
comes it may help them by lessening
the amount of dressed meats brought in
by farmers. Retail prices have not been
raised since the law went into effect.
When the law was before the legislature
many farmers signed petitions for its APP
proval thinking it would create better
market for beef on the hoof. Appro-
pirate to this phase of the question is the
following from Theodore Sherk: "Live
beef is slightly higher than it was when
the law went into operation, but 1t al
ways is at this time Of the year, and the
small advance is in no wise due to the
inspection law. In fact, buy now
cheaper than did year ago. Beef
that cost me from 3 TO 81 cents last year
at this time, now buy for from q to 3
cents. Pork is also cheaper than it was
a year ago. buy with no more care
than used to, but the inspector has not
rejected any of my stock yet. The far
mers are not pleased with the law and it
| is not lettering the live stock market, as
they expected it would"
Louis Wallace, tie inspector for this
city, says he has condemned two fioCks
of scabby sheep and number of other
animals since he took his Office. He sees
no particular advantage to either the
dealer or consumer In 1t. A few DAYS
ago he condemned q COW. The butcher
that owned her sent her out to an ad-
Joining township, had her inspected,
passed and killed and brought the meat
back to this city and sold it in his shop.
Such instances are few, but it shows how
the law may be juggled with. One lead
/ ing butcher has been appointed inspect
| or in Belgrade township, just across the
river, and is inspecting his calves and
hogs himself and killing them at his
place. The inspector here questioned
his right 30 to do, and he has referred it
to the attorney general.
Farmers object to the law principally
on account of its requiring man to haye
animals inspected that he kills for his
own use. Thev also see in it a tendency
| to throw the meat market into the hands
of the butchers. The only good they
ever expected from it was an advance
in the price of beef on the hoof, and that
has not come about yet. The law is
Ibeing enforced, save as to inspecting
Ianimals killed for home consumption.
This is neglected probably because no
one is willing to inform on his neighbor.
However, the inspectors are likely to
look after these matters, not out of a
spirit of malice or for the paltry inspec-
ton fee, but simply to live up to their
oaths of office. When this part of the
law is put rigidly in force, the dissatis-
faction will become much more pro-
nounced.