Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-03-15

The comparative miIdress Of Our winters
tbs shelterlng focks and perennial
grasses obviate the necessity O
much care and feeding In winter
Yet these advantages have served
but little purpose In increasing the WOO
product in our State. In 1850 there were
reported to the census bureau 1,364,S7e
pounds of wool; in 1860, LAOS, 2S6 pounds;
and in 1870, 1,3se, T62, showing an actual
falling OF during the past decade OF 15,474
pounds and scarcely any advance above
that reported in 1860. And this supply Of
wool has been kept up by
the importation of improved breeds, for
if we look TO the number of sheep we shall
find a falling off of more than one half
The number reported ia 1850 was 81, 5e1
in 1860 773, 317, and according TO the esti-
mate made by the Hon. j. r. Dodge to the
Commissioner of Agriculture, the number
In 1870 was reduced to 100000. The falling
of in number during the last decade was
doubtless in some measure sttribu-
table to the demands of the sol
diers and the blighting effects of the
war on every species Of husbandry, but
much of it is due to the innumerable
hordes of dogs that prowl about the coun-
try, subject to no tax and owned by no re-
sponsible person. We recently counted
upon one farm not less than a dozen Of
those sneaking ours and upon the same
farm more than seventy sheep were de-
stroyed in two nights. From every part Of
the State complaints reach us Of the devas-
tations made by worthless dogs on valuable
focks.-and farmers are discouraged
from investing their capital In stock that
would otherwise prove remunerative. The
truth is, dogs and sheep are incompatible.
They cannot exist together, at least such
dogs as we have in this State. They are
incurably anti-ovine. They hunger and
thirst for the blood of sheep. 1t is lament
able to see the indifference Of our law
makers on The subject. They are slow In
estimating damage done to sheep grow
ers add the State by their negligence in this
regard. H'one of the objects of laws is to
protect property, surely in no way could
that end be promoted more effectually than
by the enactment of law for the protec-
ton Of sheep. In 1857, the asses
sor's returns show a loss of 33l
sheep per county in Tennessee, for the
preceding year, or about $4,000 for the
State. Will not such a loss open the eyes
of our legislators? Will it not show them
the necessity Of action? 1t is not worth
while to mince matters. A legislator who
is SO afraid Of public opinion and unpopu.
larity as not to do right, is unworthy the
exalted position to which he has been call
ed. 1t is the weak who need protection
not the strong. 1t is the minority for whose
protection laws are made, not the majority
The majority is protected by itsown strength
The minority is dependent upon the Law
for the enjoyment ofthe blessings of society
Let our lawmakers act as become men en-
trusted with the high duty of securing the
rights Of the humblest in the State
Cheap food and cheap clothing both de.
pend upon the proper encouragement o.
sheep growing. Our fairs may offer tempt.
ing premiums for the finest wool and the
best mutton; high prices for these articles
may stimulate attempts in sheep husbandry
but as business, wool growing viii be a:
Uncertain as gold digging unless our legisla.
tors can summon moral courage enough tC
enact laws for the exterminatio of the
droves of wOlfsh pests that stalk over the
land in search of droyes that they may de-
YOUR.
Let a tax be levied upon all dogs. The
owner Of a good dog would be perfectly
willing to pay tax on him if the amount
is RENTED, which will in effect be done on
his other property. The influence of law
taxing dogs will be salutary in every par
ticular. The number of sheep would be
increased in the State. Wool factories
would spring up in our midst and give en-
ploymenl to a destitute class Of women and
children that can now find no suitable
work. Mutton would be more abundant
and the health Of our people promoted
thereby. Worthless dogs would be killed
and good dogs known and appreciated and
protected. The grasses and ferns that grow
on our steep hillsides, and in our INC untain
gorges could be worked up into marketable
products. Hydrophobia, the most terrible
and most incurable of all acute diseases
could be decreased. Farms now yielding
but a scanty revenue to theil
owners, could be made profitable
A stimulating effect would be exercised
upon industrial enterprises by diversifyine
pursuits. Can legislators deny this much
needed protection to the interests Of very
numerous and a very respectable and a
very valuable class of our citizens? Let
the sheep growers demand the enactment
of dog law. 1t Is right due them from
society. Justice requires it, and an en-.
larged craftsmanship will secure It.