The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-06-03
Letters to the Editor.
oleo VS.. Butter Again.

Editor The Advertiser.
am debating this communication from
so far as 1 am concerned. Nothing but a
desire to have simple Justice done my
former article induces me to touch this
matter again. l have at last secured a
cory Of President Cleveland's message
from which / make a short extract, fully
vindicating my reference to his position
on approving the oleomargarine act of
1886. He shows no hesitancy in approving
this act except insofar as its enforcement
might conflict with State police reguli-
tons. Here is the extract: IF the exist
ence Of the commodity taxed and the
profits depend upon disposing of 1t to the
people for something else which 1t de-
ceitfully initiates, the entire enterprise
ID fraud and not an industry; and If
1t cannot endure the exhibition of the real
character which will be effected by the
inspection, supervision and stamping
which this bill directs. the sooner 1t is
DESTROYED, the better, in the interest of
fair dealing
Such a result would not furnish the
first instance in the history of logisla-
ton in which a revenue bill produced a
its main purpose. There is certainly no
Industry better entitled to the incidental
advantages which may follow this legis-
lation than our farming and dairy in
terests, and to none of our people should
they be less begrudged than our farmers
and dairymen. The present depres-
sion of their occupations. the hard.
steady and often unremunerative toll
which such occupation exact, and the
burdens of taxation which our agricul-
turists necessarily bear. entitle them to
every legitimate consideration
Nor should there be opposition to the
incidental effect of this legislation on the
part OF those who profess 70 be engaged
honestly and fairly In the manufacture
and sale of wholesome and valuable ar
ticle of food. which by its provisions may
be subject to taxation As long as their
business Is carried on under cover and by
false pretenses, such men have bad COM
panions In those whose manufacture, how
ever vile and harmful. take their place
without challenge with the better sort,
In common crusade of deceit against
the public. But If this occupation and its
methods are forced into the light and all
these manufacturers must either stand
upon their merits or fall. the good and
bad must soon part company, and the
fittest only will survive
Not the least important incident related
to this legislation Is the defense afford
ed to the consumer against the fraudulent
substitution and sale of an imitation for
a genuine article of food Of very general
household use Notwithstanding the i'm
mense quantity of the~article described
In this bill which Is sold tosthe poole for
their consumption as food.9 notwith-
standing the claim made that its manu-
facture supplies a cheap substitute for
butter, I venture to say that hardly a
pound ever entered a poor mans house
under its real name and in its true char
acter."
Here Mr.. Cleveland is right. The poor
man is just as indignant when this fraud
Ia sold to him for genuine butter as you
or | would be, for he wants the best for
himself and family as well as we do.