LEGISLATION AGAINST THE DRINK EVIL. 613 



Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Massachusetts, and Washington having 

 already long since adopted a partial statutory policy of the sort, 

 and the State of New York, in 1896, having followed. In order 

 to demonstrate what these have accomplished, and what improve- 

 ments can be suggested, there were addressed to the proper officers 

 of each of these States the following questions, viz.: 



1. In your State what officer is charged with enforcement of the 

 provisions of its liquor statutes, forbidding adulteration of liquors 

 exposed for sale as beverages? And must such officer be examined 

 as to his experience or as to his competency only? 



2. Is his standard of unadulterated liquors established by law, 

 and if so, what is it? Or is the officer's judgment as to what liquor 

 may or may not be sold discretionary according to the circumstances 

 of each case? 



3. Is the examination to be conducted by taste or tasting (sam- 

 pling), the old English method, or by chemical analysis? 



4. Is adulteration so defined as to include the mixing of liquor 

 with water, or only with substances or liquids in themselves toxicants? 



5. Is the effect of this clause thought to be beneficial? Has it, 

 for example, decreased drunkenness? 



To the first question Mr. Samuel P. Sharpless, State Assayer of 

 Massachusetts, reports as follows : " An assayer of liquor is appointed 

 under our public statutes, who is charged with performing such duties 

 as are referred to him. ]STo particular examination prior to appoint- 

 ment is laid down. The presumption is that an analytical chemist 

 will receive the appointment, as in the twenty years in which the law 

 has existed only analytical chemists have received the same." 



As to Ohio, Mr. Joseph E. Blackburn, Dairy and Food Commis- 

 sioner, says: " The office of Dairy and Food Commissioner is charged 

 with the enforcement of all laws governing the sale of food, drink, 

 and drugs. He is not required to stand any examination, and his 

 experience and qualifications are not considered except as to his 

 eligibility as a candidate. It is distinctly a political position, and 

 all the parties nominate candidates for the place." 



As to Michigan, Mr. Elliot O. Grosvenor, Dairy and Food Com- 

 missioner, says, " The Dairy and Food Commissioner of the State is 

 charged with enforcement of the law relating to adulteration of 

 liquors." 



As to Illinois, Hon. E. C. Akin, Attorney-General, writes: "It 

 is the duty of the several State's attorneys to prosecute for violations 

 of this section, on complaint of any one, or by indictment. There 

 is no officer charged with the duty of making examinations or tests 

 of liquors." 



As to New York, Hon. Henry H. Lyman, Commissioner of Excise, 



