The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-02-05
Cruelty to Animals.

Pending the passage Of bill regulat-
ing the transportation of live stock, a
debate occurred in the United States
Senate, of which the following is brief
synopsis: Davis of Illinois said that
any bill imposing conditions upon such
an important business as the transporta-
ton of live stock to the seaboard, was
an important one, and should be scrutin-
lied by the senate before it became a law.
1t would seem that the interest of the
shipper and the owner of live stock
should lend sufficient protection from
cruelty; but it was q lamentable fact
that abuses had existed and that cattle
had reached their destination in an unfit
condition to be used as food. The peo-
pie could force congressional legislation,
and bill was accordingly passed in
1872. The question was whether that
law was not better than the proposed
one. BY existing law cattle must be
unloaded once every "a hours for food,
water and rest, for at least five hours,
unless they are carried in boats or cars
in which they can Lave food, water and
space and opportunity to rest. The bill
proposes to take away the obligation
that cattle should be unloaded, except at
intervals of 60 hours if they can obtain
food on the cars. This prevents their
getting rest, because they cannot rest on
the cars, and he believed rest as neces-
sary as food and water. TO keep ami
mails standing 60 hours was cruel. The
bill was leveled at transportation in COM
mon cars, and he took it for granted that
there were certain patents which rail-
road companies would be compelled to
use hereafter if the bill passed. AS the
law now stands, these cars are provided
with stalls, and he thought the cattle
would be more hurt by transportation
in stalls than where they stand side by
side. He also objected to a provision
of the bill permitting actions upon in
formation. He disliked the whole sys-
tenn which produced informers.
Hereford was not only opposed to the
bill but to the present law. He did not
think either constitutional. Those ex-
pecting profit from the sale of cattle
were better able to say what constituted
proper food, etc, than railroad companies
or paid spies.
Mcpherson, who has charge of the
bill, said that it was impracticable for
cattle to obtain rest in cars. Special
rates were charged for 10000 pounds as
a car load, and owing to close competi-
ton they could not afford to load but few
in a car. But what cattle needed most
was food and water at regular intervals.
If they had these, sixty hours was not
toolong confinement. Experience showed
this. The reason sixty hours was named
was that while the run from Chicago 20
PiAsburg and Buffalo, for instance, could
be made in forty-eight hours, the run
from St. Louis occupied sixty hours,
and it would be making discrimination
against some shipping points in favor Of
others, when there was really no need
of such regulation as shown above. The
great lines of railroad that have hereto
fore opposed any examination upon this
question were not ready to support and
carry out the provisions of such law,
provided there was no unfair discrimina-
ton between different points.
During the discussion that followed
Mcpherson insisted that there was no
discrimination and that no patents would
be especially benefited by the law. By
this bill cattle would be treated well
and would be got to market quicker,
cheaper and in better condition. In
view of the facts, why not take advan-
tage of inventive genius by allowing i'm
proved cars. Their use was not made
compulsory.
Thurman spoke at some length against
the bill as it stands, though he favored
its object and would support it If amend
ed. 1t stretched the power of congress
to regulate commerce further than any
bill had done heretofore Some of its
provisions, too, seem unskillfully drawn.
An he-goatist is one who makes a