The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-17
Steamboats, on the Erie Canal are the begin
ming of . great revolution.

Steamboats, on the Erie Canal are the begin
ming of great revolution.
Can We Legslixe Then and crueltys
The charge Of Recorder Hackett Is .
good word spoken in time. 1t is incredible.
even in these days of crude legislation. that
measure should actually be passed and carried
into effect Like Mr.. Morris act in reference to
the dogs It is revolving to every sentiment
of reason and mercy. We can very well IN
derstand how . community would take proper
measures to protect itself against any danger
The necessity of interrupring commerce to
insure quarantine the determination Of pes
thence or fever, the destruction Of property
to narrow o confagraton, all come within the
law of self-preservation, Of protection to the
highest of all laws In the
midsummer weather it has been held Q
matter of prudence to be careful Of the dam
gers of hydrophobia- While these dangers
have been largely exaggerated, and while with
some it is matter Of debate whether they really
exist OF can be compared for moment with
those of scarlet fever or smallpox or any con-
tagious malady, it is proper that society
should surround itself with certain safeguards.
To that extent we approve the principle that
underlies the act of Mr.. Morris. But when
this act is made the pretext for course Of
action offending humanity and morality. it
becomes a scandal and crime. We honor
the Recorder for his promptitude in calling the
attention of the Grand Jury to its operation.
and we commend Mr.. Bergh for his merOif0l
zeal.
In the first place there is no such danger
from hydrophobia as o disease, even if all the
dogs in the community were at large, to justify
this extraordinary procedure 1t does not
really extinguish the disease. There are dogs
enough in private houses, unmuzzled and un-
restrained, to give hydrophobia to thousands
of people. If the law recognizes that the dog
in itself is wild, poisonous animal, source
people, or of any part of them, then, to b
logical, it should declare that oil dogs, no
matter whether muzzled or not, no matter
how carefully restrained, should die. We
take it if any citizen chose to have rattle
snakes OF cobras running loose in his grounds
the law would interfere.
Furthermore, apart from any question of this
kind, we have another and very serious prob
lem As we understand this law, whoever will
take dog running at large without muzzle
to pound will receive reward. The prac6-
cal effect of this is to turn every vagabond,
tramp and pavement thief, not only into dog
catcher, but into a legally protected thief. II
an ordinance we're passed offering reward to
whoever should bring cat or goat, a Ratchet
or an overcoat to the police it would lead to
system Of widespread and unchecked robbery.
Such ON ordinance would be impossible. And
yet we have an act like it in force now. A dog
is as much the property Of q citizen as his hat
or his overcoat, and as much entitled to the
protection of the law. Even if we seize upon
it and keep it IN custody, as we may claim to
do as q matter of municipal precaution, by
what authority do we destroy it? What right
have we to offer immunity to every thief who
chooses to enter our houses and carry away
our dogs-not only immunity, but reward for
the crime? Is it at all consistent with good
morals or with honest government to throw
these terrible temptations in the way of hun
dreds of young folks, who will gladly enough
steal dogs during this warm weather, and,
profting by the lesson, turn their attention in
the winter to other articles of property
These are all grave questions. They cam
not be decided by screaming "hydrophobia.
As matter of humanity alone the Wholesale
torture of dogs that now daily takes place at
the pound is painful and revolving. The dog
has long filed useful and noble place in
society. His affection, his vigilance, his de-
votion and endurance, his aptness for so many
Offices Of use and fancy, his accomplishing
fidelity to his master, all lead us to regard
this cruel and wanton torture as ingratitude,
The true man prides himself upon his fond
ness for the horse, his interest in the OF. the
bull, the ass, the sheep, and the many beasts
of burden and usefulness that Providence has
provided for our economy. There is no
gentler trait in the gentleman than his kind
ness and forethought in dealing with these
dumb, necessary brutes. Why, then, should
the dog be forgotten, especially after he has
earned as much, if not more, consideration
from man than his fellow brutes2 We honor
the Recorder and Mr.. Bergh for protesting
against this unrighteous, inhuman and an
necessary law, and trust it may speedily come
to an end
PERSONAL INTELLIGENCE.