New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-22
Jnrcrsiiy Qf haasas, Latrrcaoc Nay I5, Iss-.
THE TRANSPORTATION OF CATTLE
A QUESTION OF HUMANITY AND HEALTH IN us
IrGAL ASPECTS.

y
LEGAL ASPECTS.
10 ne Editor Of me IrtbUne.
SIR: The chastity picture presented hy the
article entitled bringing Cattle East" IN last sun
days IRIEuNE was not overdIawn II was true To life
as far as went and many stu darker shades might
truthfuly be ADDED Everyone il position to witness
tho methods attending the business Of bringing live stock
from the West that the routes are scenes Of
lour.trawn suffering. Nor are the helpless, dumb
aturs the only victims OF these abuses. Uponarrval
n the Eastern markets they To the shamDles
bruised and feyeled, their flesh unwhoesome and
Wholly unit for food The public health no less than
humane sentiment, demands reform IN the treatment Of
The animals in transit.
Tleonly power which can reach these evils IS the
strong arm OF National law. state esllon is futile
a the lines Of trans poraon stretch across the entire
Continent The Act Of Congress Of April, $50 the
first step owad reform of tue evils in question. But
the bill in It's passage through tie two Houses
OF CONGRESS was shOrn Of the strongest features
contained in the original draft, and when Il
became law was of little value start
ing point for further Efforts Repeated attempts have
been made 10 secure amendments providing for the
forccnent Of the law. but far without III
1873 the House Committee on Agriculture, Of winch
the Hon. James f. Wilson, Of Iowa, war chairman, after
carefully considering the matter, made report fully
sustaining the charge Of gross abuses but declaring ha
further legislation was useless until was demanded by
public sentiment subsequently efforts TO amend the
law have originated in the Senate, bat have a SINH
lar fate the greatest obstacle being the ques
ton OF the consttuuonaiiy of such legislation. In
1876 the American Humane Association organized
with the prorsscd object OF mitigating the evils attend
tug the transportation Of live stock But the organize
ton abandoned all attempts TO obtain adequate National
legislation and concentrated It's efforts III the direction
Of providing improved railroad cars prize Of $1,000
was offered for the best invention Of this character At
the annual meeting Of the Association in Boston last
Octobe the having the matter in charge
ported that 700 different designs had been submitted
uo one OF which VI practical value. Every valuable
feature was already covered by patents. OF
award was made \ resolution was adopted. after
much opposition. empowering the committee 10
funds Cor carrying test case 10 the United states
premc Court. But IL any action has been had this
direction II has not been announced TO the public.
Ii H. obvious that the question " cOustutlOnaiiy
should bee iucY decided by the highest court before
nIrntr legislation ON the subject i enacted. II the
present law AIMED u should be amended
ucmcLt OF animals in transit IN ordinary vessels
for longer period than twenty eight consecutive hours
IL should Dee amended a. also 10 prohibit the ship
meLt with view Of slaughter, OF any animal which, by
food and also provide for apgin tMeut OF i'll
-lectCrs dcpIy-marsl&is clothed with ample power
TO compel the enforcement OF the law. There is
reasonable ground for doubling the constitutional
power OF Congress 10 egslae IL his matter. But until
The question legally adjucaed further efforts would
be built upon the sand IL the meantime, however the
public should be kept informed OF matters which
nearly the National health If the general public
could be made 10 through what horrors their becf
and pork brought to their tables seu ticnt
would be aroused which would speedily compel
edy OF 40 least a mitigation VI the evils.
Aew-l 0rk, May i, lsS2 q. A. MARTIN.