Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-04-30
To Be Killed off by Congress
BY An Extra Heavy Tax.
The Use Of Glucose and Fusel Oil
Must at Once Be Stopped.
Ex. Gov. Russell and How He Hit Bulseye and
Pleased the Boys.

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of adulterated beer. 1t is not probable it
sion OF congress, the time being too short,
but next winter it is predicted by those
who arc familiar with tho situation, the
matter will be taken up and pushed to
completion. The proposition is to tax
adulterated beer 81 or perhaps 50 moro per
barrel than pure beer In addition to this
every package of adulterated beer will
have to BIO marked in plain letters, 'iAdul-
terated,' and every saloon keeper who sells
beer that is not pure will be compelled IN
der penalty to display conspicuously over
his bar sign reading, "Adulterated beer
sold here"
Driven to the Wall.
While there are differences of opinion as
to the right of congress to impose its arm
between the manufacturers of adulterated
beer, adulterated cheese, adulterated but
ter and other articles and the consumers
thereof, there is little difference of opinion
as to the desirabiity of putting stop to
the brewing and salo of beer made out of
glucose, fuscl oil and other deleterious
substances. No doubt exists that such
beer is injurious to the health of those who
drink 1t. So general has the adulteration
of beer become In this country that it Is
almost impossible to find honest beer of
domestic manufacture. If one wants an
all malt beer, he has to buy the imported
article and pay higher price for 1t. There
ore plenty of manufacturers who would be
only too glad to have this law passed. They
want to make all malt beer and would do
SO II they could keep their trade in the faco
of competition from the brewers Of the
cheaper stuff. But they cannot do it and
against their will are driven to the use of
glucose and the other substances en-
ployed by brewers In making cheap beer.
Deadly Poison.
am told by gentlemen who have care
fully investigated this subject that the
drinking of adulterated beer has added to
the mortality rate from certain diseases in
various parts of tho country. In one of
the largest breweries in the United States
a physician is employed to look after the
health of the men who work there. He
says the beer turned out by his employers
is not fit to drink. The brewery help
drink freely of it, and, according to his
testimony, their lives are shortened from
to 20 years thereby. Most Of tho beer
now brewed in the United States contains
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manufacturers use as much as 20 per cent,
but others drop as low as IS or 40. Gu
cose fusel oil and other chemicals take tho
fallen materially on account of the ability
of tho brewers to get along with little.
Very little barley is exported, and the
price of that grain is regulated almost
wholly by the brewery price, while wheat
l., kL.,;r
fixed in Liverpool. 1 am told that the
practice of brewing adulterated beer grew
up in this country largely as result of
the sale of a great number Of brewerics to
an English syndicate. The Engiishluen
were induced to pay extravagant prices for
these breweries. In fact, not only were the
breweries sold, but so were the English
men. After getting possession they found
the only way in which they could get even
was by adulterating their output and tax
ing larger profits from the consuming
public. But the American farmer objects
to having the value Of his barley reduced
in this way and the chances arc that con-
gress will legislate to protect him, 0s it
has protected the makers of honest butter
and honest cheese.
How He Hit the Dullseye.
Ex-Governor Russell of Massachusetts,
is much talked about as candidate for
the presidency before the Democratic na-
tional convention. In recent sketch of
Mr.. Russefl's life 1 noticed story about
visit which ''tho boy governor" paid TO
militia encampment, and about the
manner in which he pleased the soldiers
by taking a rifle and hitting the bullseJ Q
at 500 yards several times in successioI.
This is not all of the story, and shall
have to tell the remainder of it, because it
is too good to keep hidden under a bushel.
1t is true that the young governor did per-
form that feat in craftsmanship, and this;
is how it came about:
Mr.. Russell was then governor and n
candidate for reelection. He was running
as Democrat in Republican state, and
every device known to tho artful politi-
clans had to DO devised in order to get
enough votes to carry him through.
Among the schemes suggested by one OF
the governors shrewd friends was that he
go to the militia encampment, where it
was arranged that he was to be invited to
Try his hand at the targets and that he
was to display craftsmanship Of a good
enough quality to charm the soldier boys
and induce every one Of them to vote for
him.
but I can't shoot worth cent" pro.
tested the governor.
'Then you'll have to practice, said the
schemer. "You have three weeks in which
to perfect yourself. Buy parlor rifle and
spend all your spare time practicing with
It,"
The governor did as he was directed and
day after day in the back yard of his house,
screened from the view of the curious, he
tried his hand and perfected his art. When
the encampment Came on, he paid it a visit
ana OF course was invited to shoot at the
targets.
Haven't had rife in my hand for
seven years, said the governor modestly.
Don't believe could hit the target. let
alone the bullseye. But If you insist I'll
try"
Then it was the governor tapped the
very center OF the black spot time after
ume while the soldier boys stood around
ana looked on with undisRuised amaze
nient and admiration. After the exhibit
ZION was over they were so enthusiastic
shey wanted to take the young governor
up on their shoulders, and election day the
greater part of them voted to give him
another term. -i,'
An, TACT that bit of shooting won the M.
heicai battle and made William e. Russell
one OF the marked men of the Democratic
party. * - ''>