92 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



vinegar other than Cider Vinegar being sold in this part of the 

 State." 



In New York, I am informed that the first law passed was 

 deficient, and was amended last winter, and is not in full 

 operation yet, but still, "There has never been so little spurious 

 vinegar on the market as this season." 



An attempt was made at the last session of our own Legisla- 

 ture, to have such a law enacted in this State, but, owing to 

 causes which it is not necessary to specify here, the bill was 

 killed in the committee to which it was referred, and never 

 came to a vote. 



A law of this kind would protect not only the horticulturist, 

 but the orchardist and the Cider Vinegar maker. It is of vastly 

 more importance to all consumers, which of course means the 

 whole community. It would protect the consumer from paying 

 full price for half strength, or for vinegar which was hurtful to 

 the health. It would protect the honest retailer, who desires 'to 

 handle "straight goods," from the competition of those who 

 handle the inferior article. It is, therefore, not a matter of 

 class legislation which we are considering — it affects the health 

 and pockets of the whole community. 



Of course there will be the old worn-out cry of "monopoly" 

 by the monopolists themselves, which the Cider Vinegar men 

 are supposed to be trying to establish, and so put up the price of 

 vinegar; but that is so foolish an argument, and so easy to 

 dispose of, that it is not necessary to waste much time on it. 

 Sulphuric Acid Vinegar is dear at any price. No one will buy 

 and use it knowingly, and it is a crime to force it on any one 

 without their knowledge. The sale of good, pure vinegar, 

 under its proper name, is not proposed to be interfered with. 

 Why, then, should Alcohol Vinegar makers oppose the passage 

 of this proposed law, which will not interfere with them in the 

 manufacture of their legitimate product, branded and sold 

 under its right name? 



The fact that they do oppose it so strongly, proves that the 

 coloring of their vinegar, and branding and selling it as Cider 

 Vinegar, is a very large part of their business. All the "White 

 Wine" Vinegar men would have to do then, would be to make a 

 pure article, brand and sell it under its real name, and convince 

 people that it was as good or better than Cider Vinegar. 



But this paper is growing long, and probably tedious. I have 

 aimed to be careful in my statements, and give only facts sus- 

 ceptible of proof; now the question is, "What are you going to 

 do about it?" Are you going to sit still and submit to having 

 this State made the dumping-ground for all the poisonous, 

 inferior vinegar which the laws of other States will not allow to 

 be sold there? Are the people in this State to submit longer, 

 to be cheated, swindled and poisoned, just to fill the pockets of 



