Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-08-30

fertilizer. There seems to be, therefore,
no warrant for the charge made based
upon the Hutchinson affidavit that the
state of It's officers have sold diseased
meat for food purposes. In fact, Hutchin-
son, himself, does not SO state II. There
would seem therefore, no reason for
prosecuting anyone for anything that
appears in the Hutchinson matter.
In the Investigation which the states
attorney has made. there has come a
complaint, made now for the first time,
from a former employe of the Burling-
ton Rendering company, to the effect
that that company has sold meat which
has been condemned. This complainant
does not charge that the State officers
were parties to 1t.
The widespread publication of the
charge in connection with Hutchinson's
affidavit. and the complaints which have
come in Consequence of it all tend to
injure the good name of the State, and
must inevitably work great harm to
every raiser and seller of live stock in
Vermont.
But above all the law must be enforced
and If anyone has been selling diseased
meat for food purposes, he will be pros
ccuted to the limit of the law and must
suffer the consequences.
The state IS entitled to have the
whole matter probcd to the bottom. I
have therefore dirccted the States at
tornov of Chittcndcn county. to sum
mon all the complpinants all employees
and officers of the Rendering company
and the cattle commission and their
employees and all parties from whom
there is any intimation that informa-
49, - - A. -
the grand jury at Burlington, the first
Wednesday of September, and the peo-
pie of the State should understand
that there will he prosecuted as vigor-
Gus II thorough an Investigation of
the matter as the officers of the law
are able to make. Anyone VINO has
information bearing upon the subject,
is requested to communicate with
states Attorney fisherman at Burling-
ton or with me.
The law of Vermont makes it a
crime to sell or offer to sell diseased
meat for food purposes. The matter
complained of in the Hutchinson affi-
davit transpired November last and
was never brought to the attention o,
the prosecuting officers until it was
published broadcast "a few days g
The matter complained of by the for
mer employe of Burlington Render
ing company above referred to was
offered more than a year and a halt
ago and has never been brought to the
attention of the prosecuting officers
There cannot be too severe censure OF
persons who claim to know of evidence
of crime and fail to report 1T to thu
officers Of the law. 1t is the duty o
citizens to DISCLOSE evidence of Grim,
and if these parties had such evidence
it should have been reported long ago
| desire to make this suggestion tC
vour excellcncy. The people of tn
state have the right TO demand tina
meat found to be diseased shall b.
destroyed or put beyond all possibl
chance for use for food purposes.
therefore suggest that the cattle com
missioners be instructed to see to 1t II
every instance that meat found to b
diseased be destroyed in their presenc'
so that never by any possibility cal
the, name of the State of be
come involved in such n charge as !
now being publicly made.
Respectfully submitted.
CLARKE C. Fits.
Attorney-Gencral.