Can We Drink Cider?

The question whether the local option law iticludes the sale and manufacture of eider was suuuiitted to Edwin F. Cotiely, a prominent Detroit lawyer, and for several years chief of pólice of Detroit. After quoting the law Mr. Oonely says: These provisions are broad and sweeping, and were evidently intencled to reach any liquor of an intoxicating character. Wliethei anv liquor is muit, ferraeuted or brewed, depends upon the prouess of manufacture. Whether vinous, depends on its source. Whether intoxicnting depends upon its effect, It has been decided that eider is not a vinous liquor. It is certainly neither malt nor brewed. It may, however, become a ferinented liquor or an intoxicaüng liquor, and when it reaches the point of being fermented or intoxioating, it would f all within the prohibition of this statute. It is the comtnon observation and experietice of every intelligent persou that the process of fermentation takes place in eider, iniparting to it a manifestly ininxicating character. Whether eider at anv time may be properly designated as fermented, or when it muy be said to be intoxicating, are questións of fact to be determined upon the evidence. There is no doubt, however, of the truth of the general proposition that eider may become or be ui intoxicating liquor, and as such would be subject to the prohibition of the statute in question. In expressing the foregoing I wish it understood that I do not express any opinión o the constitutionality of the act in question, butsimply wish to be understood that if the act is valid, eider may fall within its terms under the circumstance above indicated, and. as the process of fermentation in eider com menees very promptly, the statute would ordinarily have a very early application to it. Bespectfully,