San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-06-21

head advantage over his rival in the
States. The Canadians Joined the
English in declaring that Contagious
pleuro- pneumonia was rayaging
American herds, and that the move. |
ment OF cattle from United States
ports constantly threatened British
herds with great danger. The recent
further agitation Of questions relating
to the foreign cattle traffic of Great
Britain has, however, brought the
more prominent of Canadian papers
to take a different view of the situa.
ton. The Toronto Globe in a recent
issue called attention to the subject,
and offered some excellent sugges-
tions, which all American importers
will do well to heed. The Globe says:
Contagious diseases such as are
scheduled in the British diseases acts
do not exist in Canada, or, for that
matter, in the Western States. Pleu.
ro-pneumonia, which for a couple of
seasons did exist in some of the East
ern States, has been almost wholly
stamped out, and our winters are al
most fatal to the continuance of foot
and-mouth diseases of contagious
character. Unless such equitable
ground can be urged the interests of
the British consumer will always re-
main paramount.
But the agitation itself and the
announcement of the strict action of
the veterinary inspectors at the vari-
GUS ports on orders from the privy
council should be carefully noted by
our breeders and exporters and by the
Dominion government. The live
stock trade with Britain from this
country has now grown to such a pro-
portion that it forms one of the i'm
portant branches of our commerce.
Anything that threatens it must there
fore be carefully watched. The pres
ent decision Of the British govern
ment is but plain intimation to us
that only our own carelessness or
criminal negligence can deprive us of
the benefits of that trade. We must
see to it that we are guilty Of neither.
"Our breeders, in their annual i'm
portation of breeding stock, must be
exceeding careful in their selections.
In no event, either because of it's be-
ing a fine animal and likely to be
cured by our dry climate, or because
of it's cheapness, should a beast with
any contagious diseases whatsoever
be bought in Britain for trans-ship-
ment here. We have known of in
stances where sheep with more than
foot.rot have been bought for import
alton. Any such action is simply
criminal, and we promise to expose
most thoroughly any breeder who
may, during the coming season, be
guilty Of such a practice. We are
happy to say that almost every one OF
our breeders have hitherto been very
careful. Let that same care in selec-
ton become universal and persistent
but not only must our breeders be
careful, the Dominion government
must exercise great diligence and
watchful promptitude. Our agents il
Britain, through the agent-general
and otherwise, should be kept thor
oughly informed, and evidence of ou1
complete freedom from contagious
diseases of every kind must be kept
continually before the veterinary com
mittee of the privy council. In ne
event, and during no month, mus
we be allowed to be placed on the
list of scheduled countries. The
quarantine arrangements at Quebec
should be made even more perfec
than they have been, and no represen
tations, no matter by whom made, o.
by whom supported-must for mo
ment be entertained. The cisions O.
the veterinary officers in charge mus
be final and conclusive and must b.
carried out. These officers should b.
of the highest professional character
Their duties cannot be performed b.
mere caretaker, nor should their re
sponsibilities be assumed even by
score of such. Efficient inspection O
all railway cars and steamboats, en-
gagged in the livestock trade shoult
be given and the means provided fol
the prompt investigation OF an.
case condemned by any of TIT
veterinary inspectors at a port o
Decentralization. ANY of our agent
acting under the agent-general woul'
gladly, we are sure, undertake TN
work. With care on the part of TIT
breeders, and persistent precautiOn Oh