New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-16
THE TRANSPORTATION or CATTLE.
EVILS AND ABUSES OF THE SYSTEM POINTED OUT
BY HENRY BERGH.

EVILS AND ABUSES OF THE SYSTEM POINTED oUl
BY HENRY BERGH
TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: Your description in Sundays edition
Of the horrible toTmcnts Inflicted helpless dumb AMI
mails during their transportation by railroads TO thu
East is appalling although it falls short of reality. Fol
mary years this society aided by the other
called into existence through its benign efforts
aud example has endeavOred to mitigate
the terrible wrongs done TO and beast
by this senseless and cruel treatment
but your article shows how little has been accomplished
Starting years ago. in the hope and belief that apr cal
70 Congress- which has the constitutional right rcgu
late the iutercommerce OF States, well the health
ofthe people affected thereby, would be successful
comprehensive bill Introduced; but railroad
eregnty amended 1t that While IL protected monopoly
IL left the animals unprotected Subsequently, this
ciety introduced another; but ambassador
from the same powerful monarch pract
epIy killed it in committee. Since then
the humane societies OF the country have turned their
effort in another direction namely that Of creating
competition among inventors by reward OF $4,000 for
the best plan 0f cattle car which, by allowing and en-
abng the anima 10 lie down and rest a. well az feed,
while In transit, it was hoped, would be acceptable
have learn that this slender concession 10 the
ply sca well-being OF cattle has met vi approval
In the meantime torments which no language can de-
scribe uIlinterruptedly imposed on unolendlng
dumb animals, while tle people OF me states anected
Thereby are compelled 10 cons me flesh charged with
and disease, which by principle OF retrbntlye
Justice posOns and deteroraeS the bodies OF mankind
IL
not be- shaken Off The truth should be known, how
ever to the o. the flesh Of these sick and
diving animals starved and pounded during journey OF
many days duration. On arrival al their
nlaces OF destination they at
driven inc the slaughter-houses, almost frantic
fr ON the consequence OF the treatment which socaed
civilized beings have made Them endure our4as with
fever lame and covered win deepsunken ulcers and
there are killed and dressed for market; ani, horrible
20 think Of the field meat IA perhaps the day
placed upon tables Of the citizens and restaurants
OF the city, and eaten and absorbed by Its
apathetic unsuspecting consumers Familiarity with
=
converted the writer into strict vegetarian He has
seen the earcasses OF animal suspended IN the abattors
in York, await transportation TO the
markets which exhibited revolving and ulcers,
sometimts foot in diameter. The writer OF this begs
the reader TO believe that in recital OF THESE sekcIn
fact Is s painful him they be to another but
slenee and indifference only augment the great evil.
Now what Is the for this detestable wrong, done
70 man and beast and through them 10 civilization IL
eelff Three remedies pr ctlcaDe III case the eo-
MI. see M TO wake up from their slumber: ~ Rebel
lion against the railroad tyrints by forcing stringent
law through Congress CON - hng those oo 10
and 1aong the enforcement OF that law either in the
hands OF Government officials, or in those OF
10 Animals along the whole route Of Transportation,
reimbursng them their expenses 2) 10y ODhghg STOCK
companies slaughter the animals near thef grazing
grounds bring the meat 10 market ia IcIgtidl hS
Ears (9 In case these not attanabe, the refrain
ing from the OF meat altogether .
That the consumption Of animal flesh by mankind IS a
deInorlzng feature civilization has long been
admitted while its necss has not been satisfactorily
proven by experience Taere are millions OF human
AND the writer Of TINS has had AN Arab
run Of the homo Ii was upon for distance
fatigue so animal food not absolutely essential TO Gu
duranee But the prospect OF converting cauvorOus
man into strict vegetarian Is noli encouraging, l. II not
the duty Intelligent human beings 70 look tnis shock
fno 0uestion directly III tine lace ana reform IL 0ito
cefhrr"f HENRY BEHGH
'. 1se rorh. May 10. 1882.