The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1868-12-01
THE CATTLE CONVENTION.
Why 1t was Callsd-what 1t is to Do,

SPRINGFIELD, LII, Nov. 2S.
In view of the fact that the national cat.
tie convention meets in this city on the LIST
proX., an account of the causes leading 20
the calling of the convention may tend TO
give your readers a proper idea OF the OBJ.
iects sought to be accomplished. II will be
recollected that, in the early part Of the
past simmer, much excitement was caused
among the cattle men Of the country by the
appearance Of what is now known as the
"Texas fever, among the herds grazing in
various parts Of this state. Many OF the
leading grazers lost large numbers Of cat.
tie byuthis disease; and It became so vide.
spread, and was 50 fatal in its effects, that
it nearly caused disastrous panic in the
market. This disease, having appeared
among some Of the cattle shipped to the
New York market, the attention Of the
authorities Of that state was called to the
fact; and, supposng that this was identical
with the riRderpeyt, measures we're taken TO
place in rigid quarantine all cattle coming
from the west, and particularly those coming
from this state.
This action aroused the attention Of the
cattle men of Illinois, and Gov. Oglesby and
the state agricultural society were called on
to investigate the matter, and to suggest
some means by which the interests of those
engaged in the cattle trade might be pro.
tected. The commissioners appointed for
this purpose, SO far succeeded, that only the
cattle absolutely sick we're placed in quarsn.
tine, as was proper while those that eI.
hibited no symptoms of disease were allow.
ed to 70 to market. The excitement was
such, however, that the commissioners Of
the state of New York issued circular
recommending that a convention of the cat
tie commissioners Of the several states in.
terested in this subject be called to meet in
this city on the LIST of December, 1868, the
object being to consider the pathology symp.
toms, and history Of the Texas cattle fever,
and other infectious and contagious discas.
cs, to which cattle and other stock are liza.
BILE, and the best method Of preventing the
spread Of such diseases, with reference to
the interest Of the producer ahd consumer
also sanitary requirements with reference to
the interest Of the feeding and rest Of the
animals in hdnsitH and 10 the best meth.
DDS Of Strengthening and preparing them for
the market. The convention is also to pre-.
pare the draft Of law which shall provide
for the accomplishment OF these objects, to
be presented TO the legislatures OF the sew
eral states represented in the convention, for
adoption. Each state and Canada, is to be
represented By three commissioners. This
circular was transmitted to Gov. Ogiesby,
and the suggestions Of the commissioners
recommended to his favorable action by
Gov Fent0n, Of New York.
In accordance with this recommendation,
Gov. Oglesby issued n circular appointing
Harvey n. Edwards, Edmund II. Piper, and
the Hon. John p. Reynolds, in connection
with the Hon John y. Brown and Dr.. II.
G. Johns who had been appointed by the
state agricultural society as commissioners
for the state of Illinois, and inviting the
commissioners from MI the states interested
to meet in the hall Of the house Of repre-
seutatlycs, 10 recommend such action US
will allay the public anxiety arising from
this disease, aud secure satisfactory safe.
guards against the further inroady upon the
cattle interests.
The commissioners appointed by the state
agricultural society have made lengthy
report to that body, in which they say that
they have taken every means in their power
to find some satisfactory solution Of the
mystery that thus far hangs over this dis
ease They visited Abideue, Kan, where
immense herds are congregated, and follow.
| ed them to their feeding grounds in various
| parts OF the state, aud to market. They
| give, rs the result Of their observation an
| inquiries, the facts that the native cattle
take this disease after continued feeding
over the ground occupied by the Texas cat.
tie that crossing the trail of the Texans
| or few days contact is not sufficient &c
contaminate the natives that the disease Is
| communicated only during the warm sea.
son; and, rs soon rs frost appears, no case,
have been known where the disease il con
tracted. But, Of the manner Of commuul
cation, they have no certain knowlcdge.-
| Some dealers think it Is caused by drinking
water where the Texans have drank; others
that the disease is in tho feet of these cat
t tie and still others, that it is produced b
tick which infcsts the foreign cattle il
5 countless numbers. To this latter theory
I Messrs. Johns and Brown most incline, an
seem to think that there is more evidence i
d its favor than any Of the Others.
But. however this may be, one thing re
mans lhAt ihIS uIAta5r Is aueCEHE Inc II
y tcrests both Of cattIe.dcalers and consuu
a ers; and, if possible it is to be hoped tbs
: the convention will be able to find som
1t practical solution of the problem Cousun
u ers of beef do not want diseased cattle sol
d as sound food; and cattle dealers do n,
d want their herds decimated, as they ha,
y been the past season, by the Texas fever
s Gov. Oglesby has already received notic
of the appointment of commissioners fror
n several states, and there is no doubt but Ii
t. session will be largely attended, and that j
e. proceedings will be watched with Intere
r, by all who are interested, either directly
1t indirectly, in this important branch of ayr
n cultural industry.