p. 196 | ILLUMINATING OILS

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 10, 1875

ILLUMINATING OILS.

A Circular from the State Inspector—The Law Relative to Oils.

OFFICE OF STATE INSPECTOR OF ILLUMINATING OILS FOR MICHIGAN.

EAST SAGINAW, MICH., JUNE 1, 1875.

To the end that all parties interested in manufacturing, dealing, or vending any illuminating oils manufactured from petroleum, and which are offered for sale in this State, may be informed relative to the restrictions and regulations imposed by the late Legislature, I have, at the suggestion of the Chief Executive of the State, had printed the full text of the law upon this subject, to which I would invite careful attention.

It will be observed that the chief feature is embodied in the clause requiring a quality of oil which will undergo A FIRE TEST OF 150° FAHRENHEIT'S THERMOMETER.

With regard to the present stock on hand; I do not desire to create a disturbance which would be burdensome, or which would cause such an interruption as would perhaps almost entirely suspend the supply to consumers for the time being, but the stock on hand will undergo a careful scrutiny, and thereafter dealers must live up to the letter of the law.

Very respectfully, A. A. DAY, State Inspector.

A circular, from the State Inspector, has just been sent to this Office, from which the preceding paragraphs are taken. The “Act” is comprised in eight lengthy sections, was approved May 1, 1875; and Sec. 8 reads, “This shall take immediate effect.” Sec. 1, provides that the State Inspector shall fix his brand, viz.: “Approved,” with the date on each barrel, cask, or package of illuminating oil, which shall bear the test; but if unsuitable, the words, “Rejected for illuminating purposes,” shall be marked in plain letters on each barrel, etc., over the Inspector’s official signature. Sec. 6 provides that any person violating this statute shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, liable to imprisonment one year in the county jail, or a fine of four hundred dollars, or both, in the discretion of the court. Sec. 2 says all illuminating oil will be regarded “dangerous,” which will at the temperature of 150° Fahrenheit take fire when a lighted match is plunged therein, or which will emit a combustible vapor at a temperature of 140° Fahrenheit.

An appreciative community everywhere will be thankful for the timely interference of the State Legislature in this important matter. And the REVIEW gladly does its part in giving publicity to the Act.