Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-05-31
THE EXTRA SESSION.
The PIeurO- PneumOnIa Before the Legis-



Iature.
The extra session of the legislature called
in obedience to a proclamation to consider
what legislation may be necessary to prevent
the spread of the cattle disease, assembled,
Wednesday, when His Excellency presented
the following address:
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Gentlemen of the Senate and House of RepreSen.
tdtiveS:
The attention of the legislature was direct
ed during its late session, to the ravages in.
flicted upon the cattle of some parts of the
commonwealth by distemper, closely resem-
bling i'll its appearance and effect the disease
called pleuro-pneumonia.
A statute approved on the last day of the
session provided for the appointment of three
commissioners, who were required according
to the provisions of the act to provide for the
cXtirpaton Of this disease. They were au
thorzed and required to visit without delay
the several places i'll the commonwealth where
the disease was known or suspected to exist,
and were empowered to cause all cattle which
had been diseased, or had belonged to dis
eased herds to be forthwith killed and buried,
and the premises where they were kept,
ceansed and purifed-to appraise, in their
N~ - N'N'tN 'N'''NN "i'4Sh
were apparently well, and certify to the gov
ernor and council, the allowances made to the
owners Of the cattle respectively, and to give
such lawful orders and direction as in their
judgment the public necessity might require.
1t was provided that the statute should con-
tinue i'll force for the term of one year.
Immediately upon the adjournment of the
legislature, commissions were issued unuer
Ine provisions OF inns act 10 Richard Fay,
Esq OF Lynn, Iaoh Lothr0p OF Hadley, and
hon; Ahasa walker OF Brookheld. These
gentlemen entered at once upon the perform.
ance OF 'ilelr 1utles' Aiter some progress had
oeeh hlaue, MI ray rom the pressure OF prl-
Va'e engagements, Withdrew from the com
MISSION ana me vacancy was supplied by the
appointment OF George Is. Lorlng, Esq. of Sa-
lem, MI Lotllrop OF South Hadley, acting as
chairman. Inc commissioners have been as
sisted III their endeavors by DIR. Thayer, DIR.
Dadd Or. Bates, and other gentlemen Ct es-
tablslled reputation as veterinary surgeons.
detailed report OF the operations OF the
commissioners uhder the statute IS herewith
communicated to the legislature. 1t appears
that all suspected herds have been examined,
and many cattle have been isolated by order Of
the commissioners. Eight hundred and forty
two nave been slaughtered, for which compen-
Satlon mas oeeh allowed by the commissioners
to the amount OF oZ0, 43Z 50.
second consideration OF nearly equal
weight relates TO the act OF the last session, and
the proceedings OF the commissioners under
that' Inc design OF the act was maniiestly to
PROVIDE Tor the eXllrpaton OF the disease. 1t
mad little reference to treatment, or the posi-
Dlllty OF cure; but considered extirpation as
lhe proper remedy 1t therefore authorized
ihe commissioners to visit the several places
III the commonwealth where the disease
might De known or suspected to exist, and to
cause all cattle belonging to herds in which
the disease had appeared or might appear, or
whicn might Delohg TO nerds III which the dis.
ease nau 1eeh known 10 exist, to be forthwith
kllieu ana o1rle1, ana the premises cleansed
ana purined. Inc method and principle of
apPralseinehl Oh eattle are established III the
ac. anu an appropriation Oh Slo,ooo was made
W ,nee' .He necessary expenditures
ih"u s'lis co e.ls oeeh auopteu at the com
nlenoenlenl VI 1"e year, prooaoly would have
, pegi successiui, DuS N, III April tne distemper
; ;I'u Sne"u W. , ,"' ine commissioners speed