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best interests of the honest dairyman himself, lies not so much in the fact of prose 

 cutious as it does in the important fact that there is a department whose special 

 duty it is to see that these laws are obeyed. No one knows when an agent of this 

 department will appear to test the product. Thus, from fear of detection the person 

 disposed to be dishonest will bring honest milk to our creameries, cheese factories, 

 and homes. 



The vinegar law is the latest addition to our duties. We are following this up just 

 as we have done the others and are meeting with the very same resistance. We are 

 winning nearly all our suits, and we propose to stay by and fight it out on this line 

 until the trade becomes so unpleasant and unprofitable that no dealer can be found 

 willing to handle the goods. 



At the same meeting the following proceedings also occurred : 



A. R. EASTMAN. You remember last fall when the cholera was at our doors, the 

 people said something must be done to stop it, and the governor immediately went 

 to work, and he said: "Let us buy a quarantine station, and I know if it is bought 

 that the people of the State will pay for it." Why? Because it was to protect the 

 interests of the masses and not of individuals. The people will not hesitate to pay 

 taxes to protect our country from disease. 



Now, we have another disease in this country that is even worse than cholera, if 

 we did but know it. It is backed up by millions, and it is trying to push itself into 

 the legislature of this State to break down the laws wo have to-day. It is not as 

 potent on the surface as cholera, or as quick in its work, but it exists and its backers 

 are ready to throw it on the market; and it is oloomargarin and butterin. They 

 charge that the dairymen of the State are taking $90,000 or $95,000 to protect their 

 interests. But this is not true. It is to protect every man, woman, and child in 

 this State collectively and not as individuals. Now, this is a question that ought 

 to be considered. 



The dairy commissioner's department is not a protection to dairymen alone, but it 

 is a protection to the masses. The power back of oleomargarin is money, and we 

 know what money can do. It is that class of men that are trying to break down 

 our law. Why? Because there are millions of money back of it. If they can 

 break down that commission, what have they got? In twenty-four hours they could 

 put oleomargarin on the market at 12 cents a pound, and there is millions in it. 



I say we ought to stand by this department. That it has been ably conducted by 

 Mr. Brown is undisputed. And the strongest element against him to-day is the men 

 who stand ready in twenty-four hours to put butterin and oleomargarin upon the 

 market. 



So I am glad Mr. Brown has given us that paper here, and has told us something 

 about the department and about the troubles they have to contend with. 



Prof. BABCOCK. This subject of oleomargarin is something I really come very 

 little in contact with. Our own State is protected very much in the same way as 

 this State is, except not as thoroughly. In Wisconsin oleomargarin is permitted to 

 be sold under its proper name; that is, so long as it is not sold as butter. There is 

 no restriction further than that placed upon its sale. I do know, however, that this 

 weakness of the law, if I may be permitted to call it so, has allowed oleomargarin 

 to be sold throughout the State, but not under its proper name. As to the unhealth- 

 fulness of oleomargarin, I am well aware that there may be a great deal of unhealth- 

 ful material put into a mass of that kind. How far it goes I do not know, as I have 

 not had opportunity to examine and of course have to accept the evidence as it is 

 offered. Whether it is true or not makes no difference to the general public. Every 

 one wants to get butter when he wants it. One does not want, under the guise of 

 butter, to get something else, whether it is just as good or not, orjust as healthful. 

 There is a sentiment back of it which sustains them in .their desires. Every one 

 wants to be protected in that line, be he rich or poor. There is not one person in a 

 thousand who, when he asks for butter is not willing to pay the difference between 



