National Republican., 1883-08-27
IMPORTED CATTLE.

Circular by tho Acting Secretary OF the
Treasury as 20 Accommodation for
Them.
The acting secretary of the treasury has
prepared n circular letter in regard to the ac-
commodation OF imported cattle outside the
regular quarantine stations, of which the fol-
lowing is a copy;
SIR; enclose for your consideration request
from Mr.. William Koch that the secretary OF the
treasury VIII permit six head of Swiss cattle, now
IN quarantine ut Garfield, 10 be transferred 10 the
owners farm on Staten island.
Similar requests have been received for the
transfer OF cattle from the quarantine station az
Waltham, Mass near Boston, to the farms OF the
owners in Vermont. Such requests are frequent,
aud II Is quite natural that eaon importer OF cattle
should desire that his herd be excepted from the
general rule requiring that imported cattle be kept
IN quaTantineninety days from theday ofshipment.
Each importer is sure that he eau provide for his
own stock eheal or and better than the govern
ment can provide for them; and he is equally
sure that his cattle arc free from infection. aud
that ne can keep them so better than tho govern
ment can. AZ every meeting, however, of the
breeders ana dealers In cattle all agree that tie
quarantine system should be maintained, and
congress has provided for its maintenance. The
system is new, and its Inauguration is attended
with many embarrassments. The amount of
money appropriated for the purpose Is limited,
ana importers inconsiderately rGug their cattle
lnto port with little or no nOtSo of approach.
During the present season two or three times rs
many cattle have been imported as could have
Deell reasonably expected from the lmpOrtutlOnS
of former seasons. 10 is evident that this system
cannot be administered by making exceptions to
general rules, unless such exceptions are impera-
lively demanded
BY department circular of July 30 1885, It is pro-
vided that where there arc more cattle for quar-
antlne than the regular government stations can
accommodate, special arrangements for quaran-
tine outside OF the stations may be made by the
collector of the port where they arrive, upon con-
sultatlon with the cattle commission or the super
intendent in charge" You will observe that the
responsibility in this matter rests upon the coll
lecLor of the port in whose immediate CUSTODY the
quarantine stations and the cattle therein are
placed While IL is desired that the collector shall
be IN constant communication with the cattle
commission, and that he should act in harmony
with their views, they will not assume to make
orders with regard to the cattle; and this depart.
ment will Issue no instructions respecting the
quarantinng of cattle, or for their transfer from
one station TO another or TO any other place, eX-
cept through the collector of the port Where
stations are crowded the department will rely
upon the collectors at the respective ports 10
make such special arrangements for quarantlning
cattle outside of the satons as the circumstances
of each case shall seem to require, holding itself
always ready TO advise the collectors, should they
request advice upon the subject.
A copy of this letter will be transmitted to
Mr.. Koch, and such other persons as have
made or shall hereafter make application for
quarantine accommodation for their cattle
outside the regular stations