Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1898-02-04
HARRISBURG LETTER.
Compendium of Important
News of the Past Week.

Our Special Correspondent at Harrisburg
Writes on Matters of vital Impor-
tance to Every Citizen of the Key
stone State.
HARRISBURG, Jan. 81, 1898.
For some time past State Sec
retary of Agriculture Edge
and DR.. Mcdonnell have been in
vestigating the milk supply of the
State. Taking all the samples Sc
lected and tested as one grand ag-
gregate, Secretary Edge reports the
following results: Samples from
railroad depots, 1887 from stores,
12.55 from wagons, 1899; milk de-
pots, 1902, and from restaurants,
11.33. These results seem to indi-
cate that the milk is more or less
adulterated each time that it is
sold, it being in it's greatest degree
of purity when delivered at the rail
road stations, and at its minimum
ers at restaurants. The Secretary
says there is and has been a large
percentage of adulteration, which
statement is confirmed by the re-
port. Thus it is shown that the
milk as it arrives at the railroad
stations, and just from the hands
of the producer, contains 12.45 per
cent of solids, but after it has pass
ed through the stores or wagons to
the restaurants the average of
solids is reduced to but II .43, and
each step of its progress downward
appears to be marked by increased
adulteration. Those versed in adul-
teration may "doctor" milk so that
it may pass the test of solids all
right, but they cannot succeed i'll
this if the content of butter fat is
taken into consideration at the same
time. Contrary to general belief,
there is but little adulteration of
milk, except through the removal of
cream or the addition of water.
The fact that nearly all milk venders
and dealers sell skim milk and cream
fully explains this process, and when
to this they add the sale of butter
milk the weakening is still more
probable and usually greater.
THIS WEEKS GATHERING.
The political situation is not
materially changed at this writing
but the present week promises in
teresting developments. A meet
ing will be held in Philadelphia by
| q ,,,n,ha,. Of ,,rO,oiDopt Ea,os, b1;oo,e
from all sections of this State, at
which time Attorney General Nc
Cormick will be presented as a can
didate fer the gubernatorial nomi-
nation. AS is well known Mr.. Nc
Cormick is opposed to the Quay
faction and if he decides to remain
in the fight to the end this struggle
will be the warmest in political an
nails. Col. VIM. A. Stone, of Allie
gheny, is Systematically covering
the state with campaign literature
and is confident of success. A COM
plete review of the situation will be
given in next weeks letter.
INSURE GOOD CITIZENSHIP.
Judge Edwards, of Lackawanna
county, during the past week decid-
ed that there must be more string
ent measures employed in the ma.
turalization of people who desire to
enjoy the rights and privileges of
citizenship, and good plan it is, for
as is we'll known in many instances
candidates have been rushed through
by politicians who claimed they
were eligible, when after the facts
became known the applicants were
not considered good citizens in their
native land and should never have
been admitted to citizenship in this
country. Instead of railroading
them as heretofore Judge Edwards
says that the application must be
filed at least thirty days before it is
to be passed upon, and must be adj
vertised in the legal news for three
consecutive weeks before it can be
presented in the naturalization
court. Counter petitions will also
be heard. Other counties should
follow this example and thus pro-
tect society from certain elements
that have proven disastrous for
everybody concerned just on ac-
count of ignorance. Citizenship is a
precious gift and dare not be given
without due consideration.
LIQUOR LAW DEFINED.
The Act of Assembly of 1857 pro-
viding for the collection of revenue
from liquor dealers and regulating
the license fees has been interpreted
by Attorney General Mccormick.
1t was the supposition that bottlers
and storekeepers were liable for two
revenues but the opinion given by
the Attorney General says only one
fee can be collected from the parties
mentioned. Retailers, in addition
to the payment of the license fee,
are required to pay to the treasurers
Of the respective counties for the
use of the Commonwealth an annual
tax in the following amounts Those
located in townships S25 i'm boroughs
$50 in cities of the first and second
classes 800, and in all other cities
$50.
WILL f. HENDRICKsoN.