The times., 1899-12-31
Pure Food.

The pure food question is of more impor-
lance to the wen being of the individ al
and the development of the nation ttal is
generally realized. The adulteratiol Of
that which makes sinew and uourisles the
brains Of a people is more subtle and
meuacing evil than many of the more open
abuses because 1t has had practically node
of the elements to sustain keen pop-Iar
interest The people fail to comprehend
that impure subsistence works almost like
a slow poison and undermiues the lea. h IS
surely and insi6iously though not as rap
idly as a deadly drug
Having had such lesson on the dele
terious results OF bad meat as that fur
nishcd BY The expose Of the rotten beef con-
spiracy of the Spanish-American war. it
was not illogical to expect that the people
would take up the cudgel and. register a de-
mand that al that came to their tables
should be as free from adulteration as ca. G
and honest effort could make it; but
strange to say. there seems to have beea
failure to appreciate the close relation
between the Alger- -Eagan incident and the
general question as to whether that which
we eat and drink is as devoid OF Injurious
ingredients as il ought to be.
He who runs may read that the onor-
nous increase in the manufacture ana sale
of proprietary remedies for rains and ach S
is a significant phase of the times. 1t is
not unreasonable 10 suggest that there
may be a closer relationship between the
consumption of patent medicines and the
alleged pollution of foodstuiIs than has yet
been acknowledged. Some are inclined TO
believe that the enormous and growing eN-
penditures made by the people for such
remedies indicate the danger of our becom-
ing nation OF invallds. While this ex-
treme view cannot be endorsed. there is
considerable food for thought in the propo-
sition. and a careful examination OF it for
what it is worth may help the crusade fer
. saIutary reform.
The consuming desire for great wealth
and its speedy requirement is responsible
nowadays for many offences against the
best interests OF the people. Perhaps there
is no field whore the temptation to reap
iuegiumate profit is greater than that
whose mission is to supply the lardeTs Of a
nation.
Under average circumstances the proba-
bility Of detection is limited, and enormous
and steady sales make the spoil of an easy
conscience muniGcent
While the extent OF alleged adulteration
is not accurately known. and could only be
determined through an exhaustive enquiry
conducted by absolutely unprejudiced and
unapproachablc individuals. there is a sus-
picion. not without foundation, that the
practice is quite general and that cor
Icctive should be applied before it be-
comes epidemic Perhaps great deal of
the physical deterioration that is today
attributed to The frantic pace Of the times
and other causes is really due to the un-
wholesome ingredients OF the things we
cat And since in this age, when the divi-
sion Of labor is an absolute essential. when
few Of the nations millions can produce
what they consume when the majority are
dependent upon the honesty of those who
provide the sustenance the betrayal OF that
trust makes the matter critical public
issue and society. through it's agents, has
Jhe right to look into what might other
wise be considered the private affairs Of
the individual
There is no denying that America s
future rests upon the mental and bodily
strength OF her sons. Both the physical
power and intelligence OF the rising gen.
Grafton depends TO a large extent upon the
character OF that which is provided for its
nourishment As an invalid cannot hope
to be an influential factor in the affairs OF
a progressive nation il follows that a race
where physical weakness predominates
must take back seat in the political,
commercial. and Industrial struggle that
has been insugurated during the past few
years The old adage about stitch in
time applies Even though there be less
evil i'm the way OF adulteration that is
suspected, the wiser course is to proceed
10 eliminate II with a determined spirit.
Infant abuses soon become monsters for
whose destruction costly crusade is nee
essary. A match produces a great fire, and
il is much easier 10 blow out the tiny flame
than 10 check a conhagration.
There are doubtless many dealers in food
supplies who appreciate their great rcspon-
sibliry, but there are. on the other hand
those who can only be taught their moral
duty in this matter by drastic measures.