The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-03
MADDENED BY HUNGER,
Partisan Mob Cries Out for Bread

Partisan Mob Cries Out for Bread
ho"nng, surglng mob Of gaunt and famine
stricken faflslans rushed through the streets OF
Paris In the last quarter OF the eighteenth CEN
fury. hurting anathemas On the head OF the Mn
lister of Agriculture and muttering curses on lhe
arlstocrats VINO whIrled by In their gorgeous
equlpages. The corn supply had failed, and the
improVldent Parisians, already ground TO the
earth by the expressions OF the nobility, were
the hrst 10 suffer from the scarcity. They sert
populations to the King TO pray for relief from
inc gnawlng pangs OF hunger. Trade was totter-
Ing and The pristine glory OF France seemed
hkely 10 be overwhelmed on the rock towag d
which the corrupt nobility had driven the ship
OF state. Liltle was done 10 relieve the famine,
and The means of lilo hungry ones broke out int
sullen roar that bOded no good TO the throne
OF the Capets. The echo OF that terrible cry
reached the Palace at Versailles where Marie
AntOlnelte, The beautiful wife OF Louis XIV |. held
her court. When she heard the threatening
voices OF her suffering subjects she asked what
They are crying for bread which they cannot
get,' answered her cour,eTs.
iii they cannot buy bread" murmured the
dreamy and Impractical Queen '.wny do thew
not buy cake; 1t is cheap enough"
This answer was carried TO the mob and a
derl.Ve cheer went up from the hungry crowd.
the poor were starving sweIled little by little A
cry was raised, Down with the baker and the
bakers wife" and the Parislans, hungry as they
were, caught the significance OF the n.cknames.
This was The first blow struck at the monarchy.
Louis XVI and Marie Anioinette were known 10
The Partisan mob as the baker and the bakers
Vile, aud the unfortunate answer OF the Queen
when her subjects were starving was renlem.
bered until the guIllotiDe had severed the des-
ilnies OF the house Of Capet from those OF
France.
Little more than 100 years later another cry is
heaId. This time In America. II is not cry
for quantity OF bread but quality. Everywhere
adulteration Is common in articles of
1000, and especially The twin poisons ammonia
and alum are used TO adullerate our baking DOW.
md MAJ Has.
Many states have stringent laws on food adult err
alton yet they fall to check the evil 1t is CD the
Increase. The last report OF the Dairy and Food
Commissioner OF New Jersey shows Al per cent
or nearly half OF The food preparations sub
mltted 10 him for examlDalio ion were adulierated
Sometimes tile adullerants used were found
harmless, and In these cases the purchaser would
Ioisons were found In articles OF every day con.
sumption. A large percentage OF canned vege.
taples such as peas and stIing beans, were found
10 contain copperas to give green color and a
NUMBER oil baking powders had been doctored
win ammonia TO give an artificial leayepinp
strength and so permit of carrying more waste
matter. In these cases there Is not only frauo
but danger to The public health
IN view oil tie failure 10 enforce existing laws
the recent United States Cover nment report rec.
ommends the passage Of law In every State re.
curing The manufacturers OF all food prepare.
lions TO print on every label list of all ingre.
dlents The article contains. This goes straight rc
Inc point. IL 10 not even necessary 10 walt fol
The Legislatures to act Boards OF Health OF The
larger cities can AXE this matter up and make 3
thorough examination of all the food prepare.
lions ana expose such manufacturers a, are
found adulterating our daily food ana SO protect
the public.