The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1879-03-15
FRAUD IN CATTLE EXPECTATION.

tnc AcstuluB ilIcrcotS VI tuc country,
will o be purged and cleansed by in
v~estigation; and all this has been
caused by the discovery of a few dis
eased beeves in Liverpool hence from
Portland. Investigation has developed
the Tact that disease is more widespread
in the United States than was ever
thought possible, and that outrageous
dishonesty has been uniformly prac-
ticed by many eastern exporters, to the
downright injury of the cattle trade.
Investigation has also made manifest
the fact that plains cattle are the
healthiest, and that the cattle-breeders
Of the plains are thoroughly honest.
1t is not often that a supposed sad dis
covery. which aroused grave apprehen-
sions that a vast m would be
ruined, has turned to the benefit of all
concerned. There haze been negli-
gence and dishonesty. The guilt has
been traced to the source and laid
there. The whole thing, therefore, is
a blessing in disguise.
The LEADER pointed out a few days
ago, how the agitation had caused in
vestigation all over the country, which
efforts resulted in the discovery of dis
ease in unexpected quarters; that the
method of transporting cattle was
undergoing discussion, with the intent
of making improvements; that even
our largest and best stockyards, at Chi
cago, were more or less infected; and
that it is possible to import the disease
to this section.
All these points have received atten-
ton at our hands, and we propose to
speak of another dangerous feature,
which, on account Of the insidious
method of its consummation, is better
calculated to kill the export trade in
beef, than most any other scheme that
could be invented. We mean the GUS
tom of dishonest exporters, in ship
ping swill-fed cattle, naturally tainted
with disease, and made certain of in
lection by a barbarous, filthy method
Of housing, with good, healthy plains
cattle, and warranting the whole con-
signment to be fresh from the plains of
the west. 1t is often the case that
these same swill-fed cattle are liable to
be rejected for home consumption,
hence the disposition made of them.
What effect their presence would have
among the closely packed cattle on
board ship, need not be detailed.
Everyone can see how the entire trade
could soon be ruined by such unmiti-
gated fraud.
This is a blow, too, directed against
the cattle trade of the west. If the
English cattle importers are to believe
the eastern exporters, the plains cattle
are most liable to contain infection.
This much is plain, since a bare ship
ment of swill-fed cattle would not be
made, these diseased beeves must be
mixed with the very best, to hide the
cheat, hence their mixture with cattle
from the west. By mean of contact
in close quarters, all the cattle Of the
consignment are likely to be infected,
and we a scarcely blame the buyers
at Liverpool, if they conclude that all
cattle from the plains are diseased.
But we do condem the dishonest ship
pers, who are guilty of this double inn
position-on the Liverpool buyers, and
the western cattle raisers.
We are glad that the discovery has
not only been made by the officers of
the law, but that they have taken prop
or steps, with their limited power, to
prevent further fraud. The foreign
cattle trade might have been almost ir-
reparably ruined had not the discovery
been made, and the correction admin
istered. However, the publication of
tho fact, both here and in England,
cannot but prove beneficial, since it
will be %reassuring, and will restore that
wonderful confidence in the purity of
western beef, once possessed by the
English people.
Now and hereafter thorough inspec-
tion of every shipment of cattle must
be made before embarkation, to insure
safety. The honest exporters are as
much interested in this as our ranch
men possibly a be. Legislation is
necessary to protect the growing inter-
est. Senator Paddock's committee of
investigation should get to work, or
another shouldbe appointed in its stead
to examine into the statement, and re-
port the proper legislation necessary to
foster and protect the great industry.
Our delegate to congress, Col. Downey,
should be urged to give his attention to
this matter, which is one of the most
important to the welfare of Wyoming.
The LEADER requests that gentle
man to obtain from the proper authori-
ties all information that may have
bearing on the case, and with this evil
dence repair to the executive, to have
the abuses carefully guarded against,
so far as practicable under present laws,
and to take the necessary steps to pro-
vide new laws for any deficiency, either
through the Paddock committee, an
entirely new committee, or by a direct
bill to be offered by himself.