The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1898-11-01
The Attack on Blackburn.

1t is of great Importance to the people,
that the punishment of those who adul-
terate their foods, should go on. Such
adulteration is not only a fraud upon
the people, but it is deleterious to
health, and should be made a penal
offense.
In view of these facts it is important
that we have faithful officers to enforce
the law; and if they are faithful, they
should be sustained by the people,
without regard to party.
If they are faithful, they will run
against the interests of men who will
resent that interference with their dis
honorable business. And these. .dishonor-
able men will do all they can dishonor-
ably, to defeat the reelection of such
faithful officers. The public, therefore,
should be very wary in accepting
charges made against such officers.
If the officers are themselves dishon-
est and connive at the dishonesty OF
those who make and sell adulterated
foods to the public, they should be
made liable for penal ofiense and sent
to the penitentiary; and no one
should vote for them, whether they are
nominated by their party or not. But
faithful officers should not be condemn
ed, on charges made against them by
men whom they have found guilty OF
selling and making these adulterated
foods. This would be condemninp
faithfulness in public officials and put
ting premium upon rsscality.
Charges have been made against Mr.
Blackburn, the State Food C)mmis
sioner, who is candidate on the Re
publican State Ticket, for reelection
that he has no. enforced the law, ,ha
screened offenders, and has not givel
proper attention to the requests mad
by the Ohio Dairy Union.
Mr.. Blackburn makes reply, showing
that it is because he has enforced tn
law, that these charges are made agains
him-and that the officers of this Uniol
who have found fault with him are con
nected with firms whose officers hav
been arrested for violating the laws.
Mr.. Blackburn presents as his fire
defense, the records of his Office as t
the arrests made by him and b
his predecessor, for violations of tn
law, the comparison making shown
which indicates that he has been yer
active in enforcing the law. 1t is 9
follows:
Samples of Oleomargarine taken and al
alyzed by DR.. McNeal, the year ending Febr'
ary 18th, 1897;
ADULTERATED PURE TOTA
8 12
Samples of Oleomargarine taken aud a,
alyzed by J. E. Blackburn, the year endir
February 18th, 1898:
ADULTERATED PURE TOTA
ii 81 IA 1O1
DR.. McNeal secured six convictions,
fines amounting gto................ $35OO
]. E. Blackburn secured thirty-seven
| convictions, fines amounting to
.........,................ 1,S45. G
For every fine collected by DR.. McNeal du
ing his last year, J.. Z. Blackburn collect,
SIX during the year following.
The Dairy Union had their own inspector
l lawyer and chemist, named and directed
7 them and paid by the State, and yet Il
charge has been made that Mr.. Blackburn
unfriendly to the dairy interests. The for
going figures are correct.
This certainly indicates that M
Blackburn has been active in enforcir
the law.
His statement showing why IL
Dairy Union and the Ohio Farmer hay
attacked him, shows that the Dair
Unions ccrrse has been actuated by Il
dishonesty of certain officials and the
friends who have been touched by Il
enforcement of the law. We will giy
this in our next issue.
1t would certainly be lamentab
b,under to condemn and defeat an hol
est official, because he had enforced IL
law, and to do 90 because of slande
circulated by those whom he hi
brought to punishment.