The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-19
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.
The McatInspection biII.

To the Editor of the Appeal;
Sir-As a writer has well pointed out in
n contemporary, there is q studied effort
on the part OF some to confuse the issue
and mislead the public in reference TO the
so-caled meat inspection bill now before
the Legislature OF Tennessee. II is my
purpose to show the Inconsistencies of the
advocates OF the proposed legislation.
DIR. Klophel declares the measure to be
for the benefit OF the public health. His
chief complaint is that the dressed meat
now brought TO this market is I'M
healthy. II so, let him and those
who are backing him demonstrate TO
the public that the meat is diseased;
and | may here remind him that this
cannot be done by hurting sentences of
objurgation upon what he is pleased TO
style the dressed beef combine" The
very best evidence that pure meat is dis
penscd in this market will be found in the
tact that enormous quantities OF II are
consumed here, and II a single case OF
sickness can be traced to the character Of
the meat the fact haa not appeared to the
public eye. The meat brought here by
the dealers in dressed beef is inspected by
thoroughly competent men, who have
vast business interests at stake and who
would no more run the risk OF selling dis
eased meat than they would Of blowing a
safe. Public opinion regulates these mat
tiers, aud regulates them well.
But the fact is this bill is not being
sincerely urged as health measure. Its
sole aim, rs is confessed by one OF its adj
yocates, is to exclude Western dressed
meats from this market, under pretonse
OF building up "home market for the
farmers and great industy for the own
crs OF stockyards. 1t is the old protective
snare, rs wild and as unreasonable as YOU
doosm itself. Ii seeks TO benefit mankind
by taxation. II relies for support on the
theory that II - good thing for every
community 10 allow one class OF men to
Tux another class. OF course the measure
is unconstitutional and would 30 he de-
clired ii it should come before the SUI
PRIME Court.
From the standpoint OF a consumer, |
want 10 know by what right my butcher
lays claim TO Legislative interference above
my bakor2 Why not have all flour. all
cheese, all canned goods Inspected within
the limits Of this Slater II the object of
this bill be, as Mai. Rambaut says to
build up great industry here, by driving
away competition in dressed meats, why
not, also. build up great canned iruit
establishment by passing law against the
admission Of the product of other States
into tennessee?
My Democracy is yard wide, every
thread wool, and warranted not to fade.
! am too good n Democrat 10 favor any
ono OF these quack remedies which the
proicctionlst has brought forth for the re-
generation Of mankind. Honest money
IL made by work, not by law, AMI hail
with delight the sight Of Democrat who
believes in merit above money, and per-
s0nality before profession. The time haas
come 10 call halt upon these wild meas
urcs which arc based upon belief that
the laws OF Almighty God can be pet aside
10y the agencies Of human legislation.
Let this bill be buried beneath the deep
SHOWS OF enlightened public opinion,
where, Ia due time, il will be Joined by
the remnants OF exclusive legislative priv.
ilcgc, there 10 sleep the long, cold slum-
her that knows no waking.
Memphis, Feb. is.