, 1860-06-18
THE CATTLE DISEASE.
Action Of tho Mesaaohusetts LeRisla.
ture,

Before its adjournment, the Massachusetts
Legislature passed bill the objec: Of which is
tbs restriction of the cattle disease now presatl'
ing in that State. The Boston Atkas furnishes
the following abstract:
The FIRST directs the Selectmen of towns and
The Mayor and Aldermen Of cities, in case oi
tb>-exlstence Of pleuro pneumonia, OF other
contagious disease among cattle, to take tne
cat.ie of -.thetr retpectiSo places from 1heie
owners, and isolate them, and to make regu's'
sious, 10 keep cattle il tho enclosures, or e.
clude cattle therefrcm; also to make regulasions
to regulate or prohibit the passage OF catue
through their respective towns or cities; It also
authorizes then, to cause all infected cattle, or
cattle which have been expo&ed, to be branded
on the romp with the letter i, and TO for6'd
disposinx Of such cattle without leave, under
penalty to tho owner ol hae o1 <ooV' OK 1o'
prisonment one year.
The city and town officers are also authorized
to take possession, for term not exceeding
one yeaf, Of lands and barns for the isolation OF
cattle, and cause the damages to be appraised
by the asssssors, and paid to the owner. II Re
il dissatisfied he may recover by action ol con-
trac,. but without costs unless the damages, e1-
elusive Of interest, exceed the appraisal. Four
fifths Of the expense Of isolation and Of taking
nropertv for the purpose, TO be pgld by the
Stale aud one-ffh by the towns. Town and
cir officers are also authorized to order animals
Ell to be killed and buried, and paid for at their
value al the time Of their appraisal, BY three
competent and disintcsested men. The bill also
provides penalties Of $500 or imprlsonme eut one
year for disobe5ing the orders Of the officers, or
faiing to Rise notice of infection when known !;
aud a penalty upon towns Of $500 for each day =
neglect to obey the Law.
The bill provides for an addition Of two per-
sons to the present commission Of three. They
may make regulations for the cure or e1tirpa.
tiou of the disease, and such regulations shall
supercede the regulations Of the towns and ci.
ties, and must be enforced BY city and town Of
fcers, under penalty of $500 fine. They
shall also have power to provide hos
pital or quarantine for the examination
and treatment Of such cattle as they may
select, with power to take lands and buildings
as in the first act. The selectmen to give
notice Of infection to the commissioners within
twenty-four hours after they have knowledge
of it. The commissioners may cause to be
killed and buried any cattle injected with, or
same 10 be appraised snd paid for, four 6ftbs By
the State, and one-fiflh by the town where they
are kept.
The Governor is authorized to appoint a
Board Of Examiners, consisting Of three, 10
treat and experiment upon such cattle as may
sioners, and ascertain the symptoms and laws
Of the disease and the best mode Of treatment,
at an expense not exceeding $4,000. Penal.
ties ere provided for transporting or driving
any cattle west Of Connecticut NOW, or into anJ
other State. before 6pril l. 1861, without con.
sent of the commissioners. The law Of last
session is repealed, except so far as it provides
for the appointment Of commissioners, but legal
acts under it are not iuralidated. Various
other less important provisions are contained
in these bills, but these are the main features
The appropriation bill contains m item Of
100000 for carrying ont the provisions o.
these bills. This is in addition to the $l0,00{
appropriated at the last session and already
exneuded.