The New York herald., 1879-03-29
President Bergh Among the Slaugh-
tering Butchers.
TIE LAW TO BE ENFORCED,
Justice and Humanity Superior to
Mercenary Motives.

methods in vogue for killing the animals were un-
nessariy cruel. similar visit was paid by Mr..
Bergh about three years ago to the hog killing
shambles of Davis. Atwood 4 Co.. on Thirty ninth
street, where he found that hogs were hauled up
several stories by chain attached to one hind leg
and then despatched. The great humanitarian pro-
tested against the hauling up as needless
addition to the hogs physical agony. and
he further: protested against the practice
of hurting The unfortunate animal into vat Of
boiling water before his heart throbs had ceased.
Messrs. Davis. Atwood Il Co. sued out an Injunction
restraining Mr.. Bergh from interfering with their
business and barring out his officers from entry on
their premises. The injunction after some contest
was removed but again renewed and the case was
fought along through the courts till it finally
reached the Court Of Appeals from which decision
issued last January affirming the right Of
the officers Of the Society for the Prevention OF
Cruelty to Animals to visit such establishments and
that uncailed for cruelty used in killing
swine and cattle. When he first undertook to inves
tgate these places lie and his officers were SUBJ
jected to many ndignties being pelted with pieces
of cows liver. pigs feet and other obnoxious mis-
siles.
CHANGE FOR THE BETTER.
The decision Of the Court Of Appeals has changed
all this and Mr.. Bergh yesterday received with.
paid to the hog killing concern OF Crane & Co.. in
Thirty-ninth street. Mr. Bergh led the way through
the gloom and smells of the ground floor and
mounted to the second floor. where several hundred
dead hogs, head down. were suspended from tie
ceiling. business was at standstill. but Mr.. Bergh
noticed that change had come over the method of
killing hogs and that In place of the animals being
hauled up by chain from the lower to the upper
floors gradual ascending gangway had been erected
up which the hogs journeyed eisurey to their DOOM
Now" observed Mr.. Bergh, ''you here the re-
suits of the decision OF the Court OF Appeals They
to his hind leg. but they bring him up gradually on
all fours, and then (shudderingl suppose they have
to kill him. But there something more to be done
on behalf of tho hog. 1t is we'll known fact that
immediately after the knife has been stuck in tho
hog, and before the life blood and consciousness
have left his body he is hurled into tank Of boiling
water and his last moments intensified with sutfer:
ing. Why should such things be in civilized
land2" Aud then Mr.. Bergh followed by his faithful
officers descended to the street. and, turning through
gateway passed over to row of cattle slaughtering
establishments on Fortieth street. belonging to
Stern, Metzger d Co., Charles Coffin, James O'Shea
ana Alexander Odenhamer.
Mr.. Bergh has theory that the most merciful way
of despatchpg animal intended for human food
is to strike him blow the forehead with pole
axe which instantly brushes in the brain and de-
stroys consciousness: He is opposed to the pre-
its throat till all the blood drains out. This he CON
sidcrs refinement OF cruelty, especially when the
animal s strung up by chain attached only to one
hind leg. occasioning the most excrucating torture
by the stretch'g and distortion of the muscles and
tendops On the other hand. the butchers hold that
killed by the blow q poieaxe viii not bleed. and
color aud be unstable in tho market In summer
they claim that animal slaughtered would have
Though Mr. Berch appears disposed to give some
consideration to this view OF the question. he has
strong suspicion. as many Of the butchers are
Hebrews that the practice which prevails s followed
in obedience to the injunction OF the Hebrew reli-
gion that meat shall be eaten from which the
blood has not been drained.
WHERE THE HUMANITARIAN WAS TOUCHED.
In the cattle yards ut Fortieth street there were
about fifty head Of steers. about the same number of
calves and twice many sheep. The bleating OF the
calves and sheep falling upon Mr.. Berghs ears pro-
duced painful impression. He knew that he was
place makes his blood cold. His face naturally
grave and sorrowful. assumed expression of tho
nto the pem of Of @ sse Sesns oaVcs
and thought for moment that the riot OF man
doomed them'to bleed that day. But. had they his
reason, would they skip and play?
"It is much superior to Blissvlle. said Mr. Bergh.
as he glanced over tho pens and slaughter houses,
to the upper floor. all tho engaged in the cattle
yards and adjoining slaughter houses looking on
WITH WONDERING eyes; Here ne met Mr.. Mr.. James
man, with red mustache and chin whiskors aud q
pleasant brogue. Mr.. Bergh drawing himself up to
look upon tho shrinking O'Shea, began, "You are
in the habit here Of hauling cattle up by chain at
O'SHEA with great deforence)--No. sir, we take
'em up by the two legs with rope. not chain.
Mr.. BERGH-well, there is cruelty ali the same
rope cuts through the flesh aud tendons of the
animal and iniiicts unnecessary torture. This must
not prevail. In future You must provide leather
belt to encrce the animals legs, and to this You can
attach ring. and to the ring rope by which they
may be hoisted.
O'sHEA-we do everything we can to give the bastos
Mr.. BEnoH-Iut why is 1t you cannot kill them
with an axe?
l,st
kill 'em with and you'll get inferior carcass
to one that's killed In the regular way.
hastily improvsed audience Of butchers and stock.
yard men and In a deep, grave tone)-The laws OF
God and man are against the cruelty that is prac-
tisod in slaughter houses against helpless animals.
Take the COW for an example. She comes into your
hands conhdingly. While living she contributes her
share to your comfort and nourishment, and even
after death she furnishes you with food for your
stomach and leather for your feet and the least you
can do is to let her last moments be as free from
pain as you can possibly mako them.
O'SHEA with almost a tear In his eye)-We will do
every bit We can Mr.. Bcrgh, to carry out what you
want, for there Is none but humane people around
these diggins.
Mr.. BsncH-Let me see that (raising his voice), l
insist upon it, did not come here to make any
threats carry out any severity, but have duty
To perform, and shall send one OF my officers
around here III rev days TO sec that what demand
In carried out. looking around over the open
mouthed gathering.) appeal to your manhood that
you Will that barbarsm is no longer practised
and that you viii aid me in saving unnecessary suf
fcring to the brute creation.
A LivRLy AND ACRIMONIOUS DIALoGuK.
Mr.. Bergh thon departed, and under the gaze of
many eyes passed into the adjoining slaughter house
OF Stern Motzgcr. In the Office OF this establish
ment he mot Mr.. Storm man OF fluent speech
and very independent manner. "You can't got any |
butcher that knows his business" exclaimed Mr.. |
Stern rather excitedly ito adopt your method OF |
killing CATTLE"
Mr BERGH in an intensely severe voice and stern |
expression of face)-Butchcrs be made to UNDER
stand the first principles of mercy and humanity
Mr.. STERxl know my own business, Mr.. BerQh, |
and know IL would be dead loss In money 70 xiii
cattle the way you want
Mr. BEnaH Qifting himself on his cane and as |
suning whitening expression OF countcnaucc)--- |
Money, sir, is y secondary confederation in this
matter. Law, Justice and humanity rise superior TO
any Of your mercenary motives aud they shall pre-
vail. Now. sir, l want you TO understand that |
require that leather strap be subs Cor tho
rope use In oncircling tho legs the cattle and
that II this bc not done tho Inv sball be invoked to
compel II. M N
MIR. SrEnS with half indifferent sirl-wcll well |
soc what we can do Mr. Bergh; but with satirical
isugb) how do know that lea Ner bracelet won't
a,ip off the lepa of n bullock2