The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-08-16

THE CRY FATHERs-WHERE ARE THEY Our
colum ms, this morning, contain the ecord Of the
effects Of permitting cattle to be driven into the
city by daylight. 1t appears that one or two lives
came near being lost by the fact that mad
animal-said to be a bull or steer-was per
mitted TO run through the streets, yesterday
morning. The details of the affair, are not very
different in kind from many others which have been
reported during the last six months; and now that
the mischief done is 80 apparent to excite public
attention strongly, it is to be hoped that something
may be done to prevent the recurrence of such q
disgrac eful as well as distressing catastrophe.
We have again and again called the attention Of
the city authorities to the necessity Of akrg some
strict regulations with regard to the practice Of
driving cattle, in the day time, through the public
streets; but our mOntions have been UNDECIDED alto
gether, and have to point to the unfortunate
effect Of having no strict and Efficient regulations
this subject 1t is scarcely possible to anticipate
that any drove of cattle, however small, can be
taken from peaceful pastures. and brought into our
crowded thoroug hfares-always noisy ard confused,
as they are, and gay with the eolors of fashion
and dress-without exciting one or more Of the
animals to G kind Of frenzy. The change from
the county to the city Immediately takes effect
upon the most Etutlc klnc, hnu saey euNNu
lot be very violent, they are always made mora or
ess wild by the circum stance. Besides, even when
the cattle are moderately mischievous, public curl.
osty, intent upon witnessing any possible casualty,
eoads the animal to madness-for hundreds Of intel
Bgent men and women will hang, for instance,
about the palings Of the Park, and many, ty cries
and shouts, will do all in the power Of their lungs, if
not by other means, TO add to the fury Of the
frightened beast This is dore often, and yet we
hear Of nothing being done to suppress either the
practice Of driving cattle through the Streets Of
placing them beyond the pale Of mischief, by
prompt action on the part Of the city authorities.
The police do what they can, when the difficulty
flies at the very hearts and lives Of the people; but
their powers are neither summary nor efficient
enough to be a protection to the public.
The trouble, we suspect, which we must get over,
Is with the city fathers We would ask why they
do not act In this matteri They can arrest noisy
u en-, or take care Of hundred thAipg matters
seize gunpowder, illegally stored, or fine people
for breaking through the city ordinancei but when
they are asked TO protect the public from the at
taeks Of Infatuated animals, driven through the
public streets, they can be found to give no answer
TO the demands % the people. Why ia thisl Why
shOuld cattle be permitted, on any pretenco wha.
ever, be driven through the public streets, excep,
at certain specified hours q the light Is there
any hardship the owners Of the animalsl or Is
the convenience Of such persons 20 be consulted ia
Irt.erenes 10 the safety Of the whole com nunity,
sho, at any time in the day, are liable 10 be SO.
upon by the Madness Of animal driven wild by
the ignorance of those who have the care Of thcml
let " have, at once, city ordinance by which,
hereafter, person drive any COW. steer, OK OF
hull through the public streets, except at certain
stpulsted hours Of the night, unless under the
cwners Liability to lose every animal SO driven, e.
a penalty for disregard ling the law. wiz the city
fathers wake mp, ana make a lawl