Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1883-02-23
The Dog and Sheep Question.

M Edttor:-lf You are disposed to sub
mt, for the consideration of your readers
the views herein expressed hope may bt
excused for remark personal to myself a.
| preliminary thereto
Whatever may be my real or supposed
| political aspirations, | propose to sacrifice
them all rather than forego the exercise OF
the privilege of freely expressing my views
upon matters of public interest, and pro.
pose to invite rather than avoid criticism
provided personal vituperation or sophistry
be not substituted for fair and dispassionate
argument, because in the Good Book it is
written, I'm the multitude of councillors
there is safety" and "He that getteth reproof
getteth understanding"
The subject of sheep husbandry and the
LEGISLATION necessary and proper to promote
mat important industry, by checking the
rayages, of. dogs upon the meek and inof.
ienslve fiocks, is one which, in my Judgment,
should engage the serious consideration not
only of farmers but of those who aspire to
represent farming communities in the Leg
stature. But it must be apparent to every
rejecting mind that this subjecti is surround
ed by great difficulties The constant lia-
Dllity of the flock to the vicious intrusion of
dogs is an evil which, like many of the
chronic diseases h which the human system
IS liable, can never he entirely eradicated,
because people always have and always will
Keep dogs, and il is impTacticable TO pre-.
vent them, at all times, from running at
large, armed, as they always are, with the
weapons that nature has provided with
which they can crafty Il blOod-thirsty pro-
pensity
But why, it may be asked, will our people
always keep dogs? Men of wealth, at times,
to restore their failing health or to secure
the recreation and diversion they desire,
Will make trip, perhaps, up the Hudson,
and enjoy as they ride along refreshing
breezes that pass over its waters and the
beautiful scenery on its banks pursuing the
journey northward, they visit Niagara Falls,
or turning southwark the great caves of
Virginia and Kentucky, visit some OF the
fashionable watering places of the country,
or perhaps, instead Of all this, make tour
of Europe. Men of moderate or limited
means break the monotony of business life
in some much less expensive way, while the
poor man amuses himself occasionally in
neighborng fields and forests with his gun,
his only companion being his faithful dog
But we have class OF men who, to great
extent, furnish the bone and sinew OF So
clety, and whose wishes and welfare cannot
reasonably or prudently be ignored by our
Legislators. These men are compelled to
labor daily, out OF sight or hearing gencr-
ally of their humble homes often too their
earnings for six days will not support their
families seven the wife seeks employment
in the neighborhood, and the absence OF the
parents leaves the children often with no
other protection than that which is afforded
by the presence Of the dog, whose remark
able taithiulness greatly endears him TO the
family
II is notorious fact that wlrile our sheep,
without extraordinary care, are constantly
liable to the ravages OF dogs, without such
care our lambs, pigs and poultry are in great
danger of destruction by foxes and vermin
in the total absence of dogs and not with
the fullness of our penal code and
the vigilance with which its provisions are
we are never secure from the wick
ed desi gus of men any more than from the
voracity OF beasts; and thus it is that the
heads of families upon leaving their homes
in the day time, or retiring at night, feel to
some extent, u satisfaction of mind and as.
surance Of safety, from the fact that the
watchiul dog remains close by the threshold
10 give (like the geese upon the walls of
fome) warning of approaching danger;
therefore, from these facts, | think we may
conclude that our people will al
ways keep dogs
The question to be considered and, if Dos
'ible, settled, is to what extent they will
consent to be restrained or burdened in the
exercise of privilege which they regard as
4 natural and inherent right, for the promo
ion Of an industry which they do not gen
orally understand is benefit TO all. The |.
orce of habit is wonderful, and in this re-
'pect, as in the matter Of eating and drink /
ny, our people have always been accus-
,omed to absolute freedom.
| use the word consent" because we pro-
iced in such matters upon the theory that
Inc sovereignty is in the people, and 1.-THE |
ust powers of government are derived only
rom the consent of the governed" and this, (
take it, is the reason why, in the matter OF
the sale Of intoxicating liquors
n particular locality our Legislators have
eldom if ever gone further than 10 submit
IN act providing for it to the qualified voters ,
u the locality tor ratification or rejection
renee the name, Local Option"
Now ! will venture the opinion that by
prudent, patient and persevering course
lpon the part of those who have the matter at
leart, and who propose to keep it before the
,eople, they would adopt, at a general cleo
ion, an Act providing that they should an.
Iually contribute, in proportion to the num-
yer of dogs kept, to fund sufficient to in
lemnify farmers to a satisfactory degree for
uses which will, in defiance of every pre-
aution, occasionally happen TO their fiocks
provision that would, incidentally, check
he excess to which many go in keeping
more dogs than they have any use for, or
an properly maintain. BY thus submit
ing il, the people would appreciate the fact
hat they had been consulted, and it would
lsarin the antagonism that naturally re-
ults from an apprehension, that the animus
I an act is to restrict and burden one class
{ citizens, for the exclusive benefit OF an
ther. Their ears would be open to the
rgumenf, that the promotion OF sheep-hus-
andry, by adding 10 the area OF cultivated
nd improved lands and the production Of
iool and mutton, would increase the value
t labor and reduce the cost OF living, and
therefore, the conclusion that all classes Of
ur people would thereby be benefited would
G irresistible
The burden and restraint then being vol
ntarily submitted to by large majority, as
lost-likely it would be, the opposition OF
minority would easily be overcome, whereas,
Experience has shown that law which
leets with popular raprobation, will either
C dormant upon the statue book, or aggra-
ate the evil it was intended to remedy.
In conclusion permit me to suggest the
bought, that though this process would be
edious and laborious, yet we who have be-
ONE somewhat accustomed to delays and
appointments, and arrived at period of
fe when we are inclined 10 feel a greater
)icitude as to what Is in store for those
yhOm We will leave behind us, than for
That we shall enjoy ourselves, can well AT.
,rd to labor in the cause Of reform, though
s ripe fruits may not be gathered in the
future
THOMAS WATERS, OF S.