The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1875-10-08
DALLAS, TEXAS.
FRIDAY MORNING :::::::: OCT s.
DOGS AND TAXATION.


none are more valuable than dogs,
none are more abused and thought less
of and yet none are more priced and
trusted. While this is true, in proper
ton to numbers there Is no class OF
animals among which there exists so
great proportion that are worthless.
Among the Indians, or the Esqui-
maux of the Northern seas, this would
not be true. With the latter the dog is
harnessed, his meat is utilized as food
and his skin for raiment. 1t is said
that In some of the most advanced
cities of civilization, the meat of the
dog Is now regarded ~ u luxury. But
we are dealing with facts as we lind
them here in Texas. While beef, NUT
ton and kid command no higher price
than at present, it is not presumable
that dog flesh, rs human food, will be
in very great demand.
Our object in calling attention to
this subject is to deal with 1t as II
practical question of interest to II very
large majority of the people of Texas.
We are not an enemy to the species,
but friend. We regard dogs as pro-
perty,as much 80 as horses, hogs, sheep,
goats, COWS and calves, and just as
much entitled to the protection of the
laws rs any other species of personal
property, and just rs worthy of taxa
ton, for its protection by the govern
ment, as the purest blooded Arabian
steed or short-horned Durham bull.
In England, and some other locali-
ties, dogs command the most fabulous
prices. The different species are bred
and nurtured with. extraordinary care.
In the cities of our country they are
offered in the market the same as
other property. In Texas, in every
locality, from the remotest frontier
settlements to the Gulf, they are re-
garded with great favor; yet there is
no law for their protection or for the
encouragement of rearing purer and
better stock than we now have. On
the other hand, there is no penal law
for the inflicton of punishment upon
the vicious dog or the master who
keeps hun. This is wrong. We write
in the interest of good dogs, in the
interest of humanity, and for the en-
enlargement of the wool and mutten-
growing industries of the country.
Let dogs be taxed, rs any other spe-
cies of property, according to their
value, nnless our lawmakers should
believe that they should be elevated to
the same plane with human beings. If
that is the rule, then impose pole tax.
But an examination of the subject
leads us to the conclusion that dogs are
like horses, cattle, etc, and every other
species of animal property. Some are
worth hundreds of dollars, Others COM
paratively nothing, and are SO regarded
by their owners. The farmer, profess
sional man, mechanic or juggler who
owns Il dog, good in his estimation,
will cheerfully pay tax upon the
same, as readily MS the individual who
prizes his property consisting Of dung
hill fowls, jackasses, Arabian coursers
or mustang studs.
We have said that this species of our
possessions were as highly esteemed
and M useful, rs well rs of rs little ad-
vantage as any other we have. In
some respects it is the most vicious
and useless. Hence the greater neces-
sity for laws regulating its utility and
value. 1t may not be generally
known, but it should be, that In Geor-
gia, Kentucky, Ohio and some other
States, these domestic animals are
treated as property by the laws, and
contribute u just proportion to the
revenues of the States where they are
50 recognized. Just in the proportion
to the amount of revenue so lcpied, Ii
has been discovered that the wool aud
mutton interest has correspondingly
increased,
This is discovery In political econ
omy that should not be ignored by the
trainers of our laws. And lest II should
be overlooked, we would call attention
to the additional fact, that other in
dustries have been benefited In conse-
quence of this healthful legislation,
viz: the Increase of tanneries and the
production OF leather. To reckon as
nothing the above fact, or the revenue
OF 100000 TO Kentucky, the greater
sum In Georgia, or the much greater
amount collected from the tax on dogs
In OHIO, the saving to the sheep and
wool growing interests of Texas would
thousand fold more than justify our
Constitutional Convention In making
1t the positive duty of the Legislature
In the future to protect dogs ~ other
property, and make such property
yield revenue to the State. Our
Granger friends cannot effect greater
good than to direct their attention to
this subject.
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IN To-DAy's PAPER will be found