The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-21

THB propriety of treating animals with some
degree of humanity does not in any measure
depend upon the settlement one way or the
other, of the vexed question as to whether or
not they are endowed with souls. A sufficient
argument in behalf of the humane principle is
afforded by the fact that all unnecessary vio-
lence towards the brute creation tends to
detract from that small share of manhood with
which those are blessed who indulge in it,
The necessity of more stringent legislation
upon this subject has long been apparent to
those who have given the matter a serious
thought. There have long been upon the
statute-bool1s of the Commonwealth enact
ments which have in view the prevention and
punishment of the more glaring outrages of
this kind which are every day committed all
around us. But at the present time these
enactments are virtually obsolete, and it is
but seldom that we hear of an attempt on the
part of the authorities to revive them. The
great drawback heretofore has been in the
lack of organization on the part of those who
believe that dumb brute, whether endowed
with a soul or not, is nevertheless endowed
with some rights which command respect
from his owner or keeper. This state of
affairs, we are happy to say, is drawing to an
end; and henceforth beasts of burden, as well
as those humber animals which can only be
made use Of as food for man, may lift up their
heads and walk about the earth rejoicing, for
verify their millennium is at hand
In April, 1866, the Legislature of the State
of New York enacted law which incorporated
for ~
Cruelty to Animals, the list of incorporatOrs
including the most prominent and influential
men of all political and religious oreeds. This
charter contained two leading provisions, by
one of which the Metropolitan and all other
police forces in the State were commanded to
render to the Society such aid as they might
require in the enforcement of all laws for the
protection of dumb animals which were at the
time or might thereafter be enacted. BY the
other provision, one-half of all the fines col
lected through its instrumentality accrues to
the benefit of the Society. Not quite year
has passed since its incorporation; and yet
in that short period marvellous change has
been effected in the treatment of dumb ami
mails, being more especially apparent in the
of the Society appear to be innumerable and
omnipresent and, as the result, not an ami
NAL is overburdened, manned, or maltreated
in any way, but that his prosecutor encoun-
ters a punishment which is both swift and
sure. Henry Bergh, Esq, the President of
the Society, has, indeed, devoted his entire
| time and attention to the subject, never
wearying in his efforts to secure the happiness
! of the brute creation. Now that this Society
! is in full and successful operation, an earnest
| effort is being made to secure the adoption by
| the Legislature of the State of more humane
| and stringent code of laws for the achievement
of the objects which it has in view. The
! sphere of its usefulness is thus being con-
tinually enlarged and the result of its labors
| is perceptibe, not alone in ameliorating the
condition of creatures who have no power to
proclaim their wrongs, but as well in elevat-
ing the hearts and refining the characters of
the men whose daily pursuits bring them in
habitual contact with the former.
In this State a similar movement has been
under way for some months past, and we see
no reason why it should not be followed by
the same beneficial results. The act incor-
porating "The Pennsylvania Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, - has Just
passed both Houses of the Legislature, and
only requires the signature of the Governor to
render it valid law. The Society, in addition
to the customary powers vested in body cor
pOrate, is authorized to receive contributions,
donations, and legacies and to hold real estate
of value not exceeding one hundred thousand
dollars The annual meeting is to be held in
January of each year, at which time a board
of twenty-five managers is to be elected, the
managers to select from among their own
number, at their first subsequent meeting, a
president, five vice-presidents, and the seere-
taries and other officers which may be neces-
sary to complete the organization. The loca-
tion of the principal Office will be in the city
of Philadelphia, but the powers and privileges
of the Society extend throughout the State,
and it is empowered to establish branch offices
anywhere within these limits. The essential
portions OF the act of incorporation are as
follOws:--
"Section 8, The police force OF the city of
Philadelphia, as We'll as of all other places
where police organizations exist, shall as occa-
sion may require aid the society, its members
or agents, in the enforcement of all laws which
| are now, or may hereafter be enacted, for the
pTotection OF dumb animals. One-haif of the
fines collected through Inc nStrumentality OF
| the society, or OF its agents, for violations OF
such laws, shall accrue to the benefit of said
society,
"Section 6. The society is empowered To esta.