The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-18
FOR SICK SOLDIERS.
FIaerant Frauds in Govern
Inent Brandy.
no PURE GRAPE JUICE IN 1T.
Given to Army Men to Be Used Fer
Medicinal Purposes"
10 PURE GRAPE JUICE IN 1T.
VlN PR0TESTS OF OUR TNEYiRDlSTS
Some Interesting Tests, Showing California
Brandy to Be Away Ahead Of In
pure ImPortations.

Brandy, n. contracted from o. Eng.
Brandtcjne Ger. BranttriHe, /. e., burned
tcfIe FIR. BrGnderiIf.l An ardent spirit,
distilled from tcise.- UebSter'S Dictionary
According to this definition the sick SOL
der, who serves the Government for S13 a
month and his board and clothes, gets no
brandy. For even though the note appended
to the definition. which makes reference to
"cherry brandy" and "peach brandy, "
which are no more brandy than barley
coffee" is coffee, be taken into account, he is
still without that valuable remedial agent
True, the Government buys thousands Of
gallons of brandy" and ii is served out in
regular allowances TO the different posts, TO
be used "for medicinal purposes only.
Strange to say, the purchasing agents Of
Uncle Sam refuse TO buy California brandy.
In which grape juiceis the prime Ingredient
They also refuse TO purchase our wines.
Why is this?
Our vineyardISts have been trying hard to
secure an answer TO the question. Up TO
the present time they have received no
reply that is in any way satisfactory. They
have ascertained that the Government pays
higher price for sO-called brandy" than
is commanded by the common grades of
California brandy.
Loud has been the complaint OF late
among the army officers on this cOast-paT-
ticularly those in the medical department.
against this oversight on the part of the
Government. These officers want the Gov
eminent to buy California wines and bran
dies, and they intend to keep up the az Ia
ton until this is done AS for the San
Francisco dealers. they are pushing the
matter as hard as they can. If they can do
nothing BIZ mere talk, they intend 10 inter
est Congress in the matter
The Government states in its advertise
nents for bids for supplies that, other things
being equal, preference will be given to
home products. Why does this not apply
TO brandy and wines9
Unbiased experts Of this city were given
an opportunity by THE CALL yesterday to
make tests Of three different samples of
Government brandy" In small bottles
mixed IN with half-dozen bottles contain
ing samples Of California brandy sold at a
less price, and which came within the scope
of WebsteT's definitions.
Good"
'Fsir-ebove the average"
FIT medicine for any sick man"
Those were some Of the comments made
on tile California brandy.
"Vie."
''Execrable."
Horrible"
Those were some of the comments made
on the Government brandy"
Medical testimony was sought and nearly
all of the doctors who were questioned
accepted the experts estimates Of the Gov.
eminent brandy" and said that they
would not prescribe it to any of their pa
tents.
And yet our sOldiers-men who are sery.
ing their country, and who stand ready al
any moment to be sent out and be shot Ia
order TO maintain the rights of our Govern
ment, or to quell internecine strife-are
given as medicine, when they are taken
sick, decoction consisting chiefly of raw
alcohol and chemicals, into which, if expert
testimony be worth anything, not one drop
Of grape juice enters.
Uncle Sam ought TO know that this is moi
night. He ought to do better by his soldiers
and by California. He should give the
California vineyardists chance.