The Republican journal., 1870-02-10
LETTER FROM BOSTON.
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Preva-
ence of Crime---Big and Little Offenders
--SnoW---Soup Benevoience- The Weather.
BosTON. FEE. I,

stop ut the confines OF humanity. 1t goes
even to the dumb creation, and watches over
their right to be exempt from needless pain.
The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals is tlourshin9 insti-
tuition. 1t is duly organized and officered
has rooms on Washing ton street, and is fur
nished with funds, by endowment ana sub
scription, TO do its appointed work. II invites
information of all instances Of cruelty to
animals, and is pledged to institute prosecu-
tons in all cases that warrant it, 1t has an
organ, a monthly paper called Our Dumb
Animals, the motto of which is I'VE speak
for those who cannot speak for themselves =
It's heading bears an engraving from IIo-
garths Four Stages of Cruelty, representing
q cariman beating his overladen and pros
trate horse. In this instance, however, an
angel interposes to stay the cruelty perhaps
intended to punningly represent George T.
Angell, President Of the Society. The mot
to of the paper is from Cowper-
Il would not enter on my list of friends,
Though graced with polished manners and fine
sense.
Yet wanting sensibty, the man
Who needessly sets foot upon a worm
The paper is largely devoted I'd horse, cat
lie and dog bencvolence, if such 4 term be
allowable. The policy and profit OF treating
them kindly, their patience gcntleneSs and
devotion to their masters, are largely treated
of, with Illustrative anecdotes.
Such a society may be the means Of doing
much good It gives raIlying point for
those who are scandalized by the inhuman
punishments inflicted by brutal men on their
suffering dumb dependents Horses that
were doing their best with loads beyond
their strength, have been often terribly beat
en- in the streets of Boston, giving nearly as
much pain to spectators as to the animals.
The intention is to extend protection TO all
the animal creation. Mr.. Berg President of
the parent society, in New York, has been
accused OF 0ver-senstlveness, and OF getting
outside his domain. The celebrated suit
which he brought against certain vendors of
sea-turtlcs, for boring their tipperS and ty-
inc them together with a cord, created some
sport, dealers contending that the tur-
tie was not an animal but fish, and, | be-
Hevc, prevailed. Certain promoters of cock
fights, or "chicken-disputes, in the refined
dialect Of the sporting papers. also plead in
defence, that chickens were birds, not ani-
mails. 1t is hard to say what callings the
legal profession will not find \ loop-hole for,
under the stimulus of fee
Thoughtful readers Of the papers must be
struck with the great amount of crime which
the records show. Bank-robbericS, delalca-
tons, thefts, store breaking, forgcrics and all
those offences which specially sin against the
rights of property, are mcomnonly preva-
lent. 1t is undeniable that u forgetting Of
the maxims of good old Ben Franklin an
itching to enjoy what has not been honestly
earned, and craving for show and luxury,
are the mpelling causes to much of This
criminaity. We have not, and shall NOT for
long years, Get out Of the Influence of the
extravaganza resulting from the sudden Of
fusion Of money during the late war So
many enjoyed Injuries who never knew Them
before that it is hard to return to the short
commons of former days-hence Il listening
and yielding to the suggestions of crime.
The contagion reaches in all directions
While the bank teller takes his thousands
the errand boy watches his opportunity to
make free with stamps and scrip. Calling at
IN establishment a day or two ago, and miss
ing u blight-ooking lad that had been nc
customed to see, learned that he had been
detected in pilfcring, and discharged The
Courts deal in some instances very unequally
with those who are caught in the meshes of
the law The big embczzlerS generally
compromise and escape A few days ago
the Municipal Court had before il . little
ncwsboy, charged with stealing ten cents
worth Of papers. 1t was his first offence, to
which he was urged by older boys H. was
the chief support Of q widowed mother The
sentence Of the court was that he should be
sent to the House Of Reformation for nine
years
And, at the same time, it is reported that
the robbers Of the Bovlston Bank, failing to
make any compromise with the owners of
the stolen bonds, have divided the plumber,
receiving 81, 900 each. 1t IS remarkable
state of society, when the guardians Of The
law deliberately negotiate with acknowl-
edged burglars, on the basis u a division of
the stolen valuabes. But this much is to be
considered-that the thieves have control Of
the funds, and take care that they are hidden
beyond mortal ken.
The weather with us has experienced a
change, and we are having genuine touch
Of winter as the red checks Of the blooming
school girls testify when one meets them on
the street. The recent fall Of snow has MOI
trodden down-indced it seldom here gets
the genuine country ghbness-but has taken
upon itself 4 mushy condition, abhoTed Of
men and horses 1t needs more of the an
ticle and damp at that, to put the Mil Dam
drive in its best condition.
This weather makes increasing demand
upon that benevolent city institution known
as the Soup Houses, from which that economi-
cal fluid diet is dispensed free TO all corners.
at the police stations. The following Is The
bill of fare
Nonday-Muton soup with rice. In thirty cal
Ions of this soup there is sixteen pounds mutton,