The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-03-04
A PRIVILEGED CHARACTER.


attention of the world is being especial
ly directed; upon which the light of SCH
entific investigation is concentrated
and all the secrets of its nature are be-
ing exposed and its pretensions tested.
The conclusions of its Investigators are
of such vital interest to every man,
woman and child, that our lawmakers
have been induced to begin TO take the
matter in hand.
When the distillation of alcohol was
discovered the ancient alchemists, al
ways dreaming of a wonderful elixir
which should be proof against the as
saults of the last enemy, thought the
precious liquid had been found. Aqua
vitae they called it, water of life, and
although their high hopes were doomed
to Disappointment, superstitious faith
in IT'S efficacy for all sorts of things has
Always chung to it. 1t has been thought
a food, a medicine a something always
to be kept on hand in case of eXigency.
One by one these decisions, and with
them even the emergency bottle, are
disappearing.
Like the hypocrite alcohol has bor-
rowed the livery of Heaven in which to
masquerade while serving the devil,
but the mcrciless hand of science strips
it of everything like celestial vestments,
yea, to the very last rag, for the doctors
have left to its deyotees no ground even
REORGANIZATION othe pain and danger
of snake bite! The man saved by the
providential brandy flask from death,
by freezing is found to have miracu-
lousy survived in spite of the added
danger from the bottle.
The principle of ''the cooler" as a
restorative to sobriety is a mistaken
one, for the victims of alcohol are not
warm, the application of artificial heat
being in some cases of extreme alcoholic
cation the only chance for life. An
eminent London physician was moved
to protest against the murderous policy
of thrusting the helplessly drunk into
frigid prison cell and the abuse was cor
rected.
While we are rapidly coming to the
conclusion that there IS necessity only
for a small quantity of alcohol (if in
deed for that for dissolving certain
gums and resins and preserving medi-
cal specimens, and while the real ques-
ton before the public is whether in
view of the consequences of its use as
beverage it is not a factor TO be legis-
lated out of existence, the cobwebs of
Evolutionary reverence need still to be
cleared out from Il good many corners.
The half educated legislator who
challenges the applause Of an ignorant
constituency by declaring himself OPP
posed to all ''sumptuary laws" has re-
peatedly voted for such measures I'M
awares, imagining that adjective to
apply only to the liquor question,
thing in his estimation not to be med
died with. There are numerous laws on
the statute books regarding the traffic
in unwholesome foods and drinks and
board of health equipped with physi-
clan and chemist is provided by the
state to investigate such matters. A
certain village had tragic occasion for
its services. Men, women and children
We're suddenly stricken with such tor
ments as accompany mineral poisoning.
Death in a mysterious and terrible
form was abroad. The state board gave
prompt attention to the analysis of
the article of food to which suspicion
pointed, and advanced, free, a more or
less valuable theory on the subject.
At a later period suspicion was awak-
cned, in many minds, of unusually
deadly characteristics in a class of bev-
erages much used by certain citizens.
Several deaths were distinctly trace
able to these sources, and several per-
sons We're at one time Frustrated by
attacks only less alarming than the
beef poisoning, because less mysteri-
Gus. They suffered untold tormcnts,
and were agonized by awful visions.
One victim was much terrified by black
eat of uncanny aspect; another was
haunted by four black devils, each oc-
cupying his several bedposts, and it is
by no means certain but that he was
clearer sighted than his attendants.
4 statute prescribes severe penalties
for those who sell these beverages in
case they are found to be doctored with
fusel oil, cocCulus indicus, opium, bel
ladonna, stramoniUm, corrosive sub
Innate or any other of Il list of horribles
used to make little alcohol go long
way and render, impure" the article
pronounced by eminent physicians to
he more injurious than are any of its
authorizations.
The same state board before ap-
pealed to was requested to test samples
for the suspected presence of some of
these forbidden poisons, but returned
the curt reply: There is no provision
made for the examination of liquors."
The secretary meant alcoholic liquors,
for had it been tea. or coffee, or milk,
or water, or lemonade, the board would
have brought it's united wisdom to bear
upon it, and discovered bacteria, Ut
bacilli, or some thing. Now, by what
authority did that official board re-
fuse to analyZe any suspected food or
drink? Why should the inquiry into
alcoholic cOncoctions require a separate
and especial commission? Why should
they alone be exempt from the tests
of the Official chemist? Is this due to n
survival of the old, superstitious re-
gard, or solely because of having
friends at court?