New Orleans Republican., 1871-07-09
NEW ORLEANS, SUNDAY, JULY g. 1871

little garden he bought some flowers
which the estimable prOsecVor will admit
were choice. They were DESTROYED in the
night by cats, and these auadrupeds also
interfered with his shrubberies during the
day. AS was well asked in an editorial
article in morning newspaper, is it righ,
that citizen should be deprived of the
privilege OF killing these annoying animalsl
Wild and ferOciOus by nature, they are not
within the pale of the law. 1t is an axiom
| of common law, that there is no wrong
| without a remedy. But what is our rem.
edy in this case! Shall we sue the cats to
satisfy the fantastic notions of the Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals!
Mr.. Bergh is engaged in a noble work. but
| his misplaced zeal is subiecting himself and
the society which he rules to utter ridicule.
| BY and by we shall have the oysterman sued
| for sticking his knife in the bivalyular shell.
Bergh Is kind; he says you may kill cat
| after warning its owner But where are
| you to find the owner? These animals take
an extensive circuit in their midnight walks;
they are not recognized as property by the
law. shall call DR.. Comins in his own de-
tense. He will tell your honor that when
the cat came into the trap, it was volun-
tary act of pussy. If friend Bergh's cat
Will run its head into the moose and hang
itself, we are not to blame. But the doctor
comes to the rescue of the cat mercifully.
as one of their own witnesses has put it
out OF their own mouths we will convict
them. He gives the cat stunning blow on
the cerebral bone; sensIbility Immediately
ceases, and pussy dies. And for doing this
his premises are entered, his property is
taken, and he is dragged into police court.
When the law under which Mr.. Bergh acts
was framed, such infringements upon per-
sOnal rights were never dreamed Of |
have but one word more to say Webster
defines cruelty as extreme suffering with
out good reason" DIR. Comins take the
stand.
DR.. Comins told a plain, straightforward
tale. He had been excessively annoyed by
the cats, which had not only DESTROYED his
garden, but stolen his meat, and otherwise
trespassed upon his premises. He had
caught them in his trap, and killed them
with one blow of the club. On exhibition
IN the cOnrt room he satisfied those who
listened that the cats could not have suf-
fered, death being instantaneous.
The case was submitted, and Justice
Shandley said: While the court feels it to
be Its duty to sustain Mr. Bergh in his
laudable efforts to carry out the objects of
the society, it does not desire to persecute.
l believe DR.. Comins dispatched the animals
as soon as possible. He had perfect right
to apprehend all trespassers of that kind,
and | believe that he has taken the proper
course. l shall, therefore, acquit him.
Brother Bergh There is another charge
against him, your Honor.
Justice Shandley: l shall dismiss the
other
Brother Bergh sighed deeply, and DR..
Comins and the MastOdOnian Howe stepped
forth from the court room in triumph.
CITY HAPPY.
On this charming Sunday morning the
metropolis is happy. The verdict rs. the
cats is discussed in every circle, and the
Herald comes out in leader on the ques-
ton. The cats have fearful week before
them. The slaughter of men and the Paris
Commune will be nothing to the forthcom-
ing slaughter of cats in the city of New
York. An outraged people will have re-
venge, and justice will reassert itself if 1t
takes erery cat in Ne,c York ReStquet-cat
IN pace. LANDON.