The New York herald., 1869-05-07
1HE SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.


This ASSOCIATION held its annual meeting last
night at the Cooper Institute Mr. Bergh the presi-
dent, opened the proceedings with an address, in
which he adverted 10 the prosperous condition OF
the society. which Is now In the third year OF It's
existence, and compared IL to a child, whose swad-
ding clothes were justice and moderation. He said
that, Ike most young people VINO turn out well. It
had been soundly spanked now and then by the
public. Probably he, the youth who then ad-
dressed them, had received as much Of
that sort OF attention as could be spared
from other subjects He did not think ne had de-
served It, Dut knowledge OF the fact had not les
sened the smarting Of the fiageaton IN the least
certain paper had proposed to ''burk Bergh." After
he had completed his task Of persuading brute tor
mentors OF the folly and wickedness of their course,
the faculty were welcome to his body for purposes
OF dlssect0n. The value to man oil the different
KINDS OF animals and their various uses were al
pending the operation OF the law for the protection
OF dumb animals condemned.
The annual report of the Secretary, the Executive
commuters report and the Treasurer's report were
then read.
The crueties practised towards cattle in bringing
them to market and the alleged inhuman. and
bungng manner IN which the animals are killed in
the abatt0irs, were dilated upon in the two first OF
these documents. Al!usiOn was made to the over
loading OF street cars and to the petition In that
gard made to the then Mayor Hoffman in April,
m IsoS anu TO his order forbidding this abuse:
d
the society, and the decisions OF The magistrates
at Special sessions and the generous support OF the
press accorded to this agent OF civilization had gone
lar towards assuring It's success. The killing OF
lnsectyerous birds was condemned as q perniciOns
practce which involved the increase OF insects and
tne consequent destruction OF the fruits OF hus-
Dandry Birds of this sort were most useful little
assistants to the husbandman. The turtles were also
mentioned and the efforts In their behalf diated
upon. Judge bowling had said that turtles did not
come within the provision OF the law sd tine society
took the opinion OF D.. d. Field, Charles O'Conor
Afh nf fhn mn
were clearly included. The present bill for the
braces twelve sections was framed in accordance
with the resolutions OF the Cattle Convention in Chi
cago, which was attended by delegates from all the
States III the Union. The distinction OF Glass; ap.
pears, has been materially lessened and was much
smaller during last than In former years. The killing
OF glandered horses in the streets to be put stop
to, and the society Is having truck built for the
mOval OF disabled horses from the carriage way.
From the treasurers report 1t appears that the so
ciety have $3,222 92 standing to its credit the
bank and the expenses and Investments OF last year
amounted to s6,9ss 65. About 100000 has been
already bequeathed to the society, and another be-
quest OF $500, 900 has been promised.
The ballotng for officers resulted In the following
President Henry Bergh; Vice Presidents John T.
Holman Horace b. Clafn Henry W. Bellows Ben
jamin d. Hicks, Peter Cooper, James Brown, George
Marshall O. Roberts: Secretary, N. P. Hosack;
Treasurer, John B. Murray; Executive Committee,
Charles M. Marshall, Alex. Van Rensselaer,, Alfred
Schermernorn, A. ii. Campbell, f. George Squer,
Thomas G. Acton, John A. Kennedy James Stokes,
Nathan O. Ely, ID. Lydig Suydam Jonathan Th0rne,
John Nude. The following resolution OF Mr.. Eli was
Adopted
Resolved That this society regards with deep regret the
late official action of Justice Bowling in refusing try all
In violation of the laws OF this
vention OF cruelty to animals.
DR.. Gardiner requested an explanation from Mr..
Bergh OF the grounds OF his late interference with
pigeon match. He did not believe that II was any
more inhuman to shoot pigeons than to wiring their
necks. The pigeons that are shot at these matches
are eaten. He could not see any inhumanity in 1t,
and was surprised that Mr.. Bergh took the he
did. He doubted whether pigeons came within the
meaning Of the law.
Mr. Bergh replied that in the first place they were
clearly within the law, from which he read to prove
IL. Further than that, he felt impelled by humanity
to interfere IN cruel pastime which necessitated
the wantOn mutilatiOn OF birds. Besides that the
immoral associations OF pigeon match were as
bad as those OF the cockpit There was always
more or less gambling at these exhibitions. He
classed pigeon shooting In the same category PAS
bull batting In SPAN, where he had seen young
ladies of refinement and beauty applaud whenever
the horses were gored by the bull He thought
pigeon shooting an inhuman and cruel practice
and clearly against the law therei0relhe had taken
the action he did.
Dr. Gardiner and Mr.. Harris were appointed audi
tors OF accounts and soon afterwards the meeting
adjourned.