The Saint Paul globe., 1899-03-31

When the legislature concentrates it's
wisdom upon some measure by which the
affairs Of men shall be guided and regu-
lated, the results evolved stir the depths
of wonder and make one marvel that
even such a multitude of heads should
hold all that their owners assume to
know. The processes of mind by which
laws go through the various stages of
incubation. from the germ bill to the
be 1t enacted" are the mystery of mys-
teries. And when the finished product is
put to analysis the mystery only deepens
until the wearied analyst turns to the
solution of a fifteen puzzle to relieve his
mental strain.
Who. for illustration, would suppose
that any legislature anywhere. and espe-
cially Minnesota one, would ever SOL
EMMY decree the legitimacy, under mild
conditions. of the adulteration of foods
with substances that are poison
Gus or injurious to human health?
who would think that even if
some sapient statesman should write
such permit in his bill the learned
committee that sat upon h' -! ,.c..;ti;
cover and eliminate the barbarous
provision? And should the acumen of
the committee be unequal to the Job.
there was the assembled wisdom, alert
ness. acuteness of the whole body. en-
loyIng the freedom of the committee of
H. TyI,
1t should have been caught Failing de-
tectior IN one house there is the other
half of the hicameral body, where similar
processes are had, and, finally, there is his
eXcellency. who is popularly supposed to
sit in Judgment on all bills that have run
the gauntlet. and to give them sharp in
spection.
And Yet, despite all these checks and
balances. designed to eliminate crudities
and absurdties, 1t is a solemn fact that
Il Minnesota legislature has actually le-
galizcd the use. in certain food products.
OF substances that are poisonous, pro-
Nloed that a label is affixed to the pack
age which warns the buyer that nothing
more Objectionable exists in the article
than is indicated by the words mixture
or "aduiterated." We cannot. Of course
expect this statement to be taken hv an
Intelligent public, taught to venerate our
lawGiveTs upon our simple assertion that
such is the case Nor do we ask them to
The sruesome fact is matter. of record. It
ar phS unit f,, ~,
of which no mans plea of ignorance will
be taken in any court. however valid in
the forum of common sense.
We therefore call to the stand as wit
ness number one Gen. Laws 1897, chapter
Io'' whose title declares it's purpose to be
to so provide against the adulteration
OF food jellies as to prevent fraud and
preserve the public health Section 2 de-
fines, under six different. separate heads
what Stan be deemed an aduteration.
the sixth Of which reads: If it contains
any added substance or ingredient which
Is poisonous or Injurious to health ;,
Section provides that any person maxi
ing or selling jellies which have been
adriterated, 'as hereinbefore defined"
snail TX label on each package bearing
the words mixture" and "adulterated.
and sfould he fail to so warn the public
he is made liable to fine and iuprison-
ment. our next witness is chapter 176.
G. l.. lS9', an act to prevent fraud in
spices and condiments. which repeats the
oehnltion Of adulteration given in the
preceding act. The effect of this very re-
h'arkabie bit of legislation is that a man.
ufacturer may put into his iellies or
spices or condiments substances that are
poisonous, that is poisons, and sell them
II he viii only label the package mix
tmc' and "adulterated." If this Instance
of legislative asininity can be euualed in
any stated of this Union, we shall be graft
fed to learn it, 1t would relieve pres
eat feeling of soiitariness in the yagaries
of legiS& ton