Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-06-09
The oIeom.rsarlne Law INDICATED.

ocrat. Paris. Ne.
The OIeomargarlne Law Vlndicated
The law imposing a tax on coloret
oleomargarine as Q means to secure III
sale as such, Is gradually vindicating It.
self. In another column We give Q re
port of the trial, conviction and sen
tence to the penitentfary Of an oleomar
garine manufacturer who has violated
the law. Manufacturers are finding
that when the United States imposes
tax on colored oleomargarine 1t hat
ample penalties for those who evade 1t
We have no quarrel with the manufac
ture and sale of oleomargarine, but We
do insist that by coloring 1t the manu-
facturer and dealer are able to, and do,
sell it for butter. The old rule of law
purchaser beware, is being gradually
superseded by that newer and better
rule, seller beware. The purchaser oi
any class of goods has the right to buy
anything he may desire and the produc
or, manufacturer, or dealer has the right
to sell all his products-excepting oi
course those things which society hat
declared deleterious to health or morals.
But the producer, manufacturer, OF
dealer must sell bis product for what II
is. When he produces an imitation, he
should sell 1t a. such and not defraud
the innocent purchaser. Not only must
the purchaser be protected, but the pro.
ducer of the original product must be
protected, for where substitution is per-
mitted, competition Is impossible.
When consumer goes to his grocery
store and asks for oleomargarine, be
should receive it and not be given butter
when he believes he Is purchasing oleo-
margarine. 1t is question OF ethics
let us receive what we ask for and pay
for.
Doubtless Mr.. Jelke was correctly re-
ported in saying thatno business ques.
ton touching the law had ever been act
ed upon till after consultation with at
torneys. But the trouble is that too
many manufacturers, both big and little,
insist on skating on thin ice. They
know they are in danger, but they keep
going to the extreme limit they have
been advised is safe or from which their
advisers tell them they can bring them
back to safety. Then, when they break
through they are surprised, indignant, and
much abused-to say nothing OF getting
mighty wet and uncomfortable. 1t Is
unfortunate that these men view the
law as they do, as something OF which
they can take every technical advantage
and 80 violate it's intent. The intent of
the oleomargarine law is plain. 1t
merely seeks to stop the fraud OF selling
Oleomargarine as butter. Let manufac-
turer and dealer appreciate this intent.
abide by it, and not seek to find a loop
hole through which they can continue
to deceive. Then, and only then, will
they be following good advice and be
certain of complying with the law, and
30 maintain the respect of the commun.
ity and of themselves as honorable busi'
ness men.
That these practices have been indulg.
ed In, and continue to be INDUCED In, in
no way excuses them. 1t seems harsh,
perhaps, that q man who has heretofore
borne q good reputation shall 60 to jail,
but harsh measures are sometimes need
ed that we may awake the conscience OF
all men to what real honesty means.
Many men have got into bad habits,
they condone sharp practices-not be-
cause they do not believe, theoretically
at least, in honesty, but because they
have come to regard the law as some
thing which may be evsded. IT the spe-
cific action they desire to take is not mi
nutely set forth in the law, II they be-
lieve they can escape conviction and the
penalty upon technicalities, then they
seek to accomplish their desires even
though they know this accomplishment,
will violate the intent of the law.
As publication interested In the vel
fare of dairymen and in the production
and sale OF genuine products, We are
pleased with this decision and confident'
~ hope and trust that 1t may stand In
the higher court OF the land. We dc
not glory in the fact that man is to be
punished. We regret that 1t was neces
sary and that one who has heretofore
had an honorable career should have
this stain put upon bis name. But we
are glad that this protection to consum-
er and producer is being upheld by the
courts, and that our government has mer
who can make the good fight for law and
justice.-Hoard's Dairyman.