, 1884-04-08

extended interchange of views among the
gentlemen present, especially those from
abroad, upon the Animal Industry bill nov
pending IN congress, and the kindred sub
Ject, pleuro-pneumonia. He hoped that
the session would be an exhaustive one
upon the important topics suggested. He
desired all present to understand that the
guests from abroad, and all who take an
interest in cattle, should feel free to ex-
press their views, no matter from what
standpoint they might speak.
A communication was received was re-
eeived from the United Rocky Mountain
Stockgrowers association setting forth its
recent action on the cattle disease.
MIR. w. \. Somers, of the Bent county
association of Colorado, spoke briefly Of
the methods of quarantine which had
been adopted in his section. He advocated
the adoption of all such s%alutary measures
as may tend to keep all insidumis diseases
from appearing among the cattle upon the
plains,
Hon; Thomas Sturgis spoke at consid-
cradle length reviewing the Importance Of
the Animal Industry bill. He had at
tended the ~Cattlcgrowen' association in
Chicago where twenty-three states and
territories Were represented. In this con-
HNNtNhs III Hlthktl ItNltNtu Int
workings of the veterinary law which
was passed by the Legislature two wears
ago. He stated in detail its provisions
which are familiar to LEADER readers
who have examined the statutes upon the
subject, The law was presented to the
consideration of the Chicago convention
which assembled in November last. That
body also received and reviewed reports
from various scientific gentlemen to whom
the subject of cattle disease had been
submitted, especially that portion which
referred to foreign cattle in this country.
Their conclusions were that this disease
existed extensively from Connecticut,
Iowa and Virginia, and that the great
stock yards We're the means of promul-
eating it; especially was this the case in
Baltimore. From here the disease was
communicated abroad. A conclusion was
also reached that so long as the transit OF
cattle was free between the several states,
the disease would spread and local laws
could not 90 far toward its a%melioution.
Each state can only act for itself, so far as
their beeves are concerned. Its suppress
sion can only be secured through the leg.
~islation of the national government whose
constitutional powers enable it to regulate
traffic between the several states of tn,
American union. Through interstate
commerce, the question can readily b,
adjusted to the complete satisfaction o
all concerned. The presiding officer o
this association, Judge Carey, recent,
represented Wyoming at the nationa
capital, closely investigating the sub
ject of pleuro-pneumonia. He me
and discussed the subject witt
able gentlemen from other com
mOnwcalths. The Animal Industr,
bill was duly framed after a meeting ant
p%rotracted discussion of its merits at tn,
agricultural department. Then it wa
submitted to Judge Edmunds and othe
constitutional lawyers. Among othe
questions raised upon it was its c%onstitu
tionality. The best legal minds of tn
constitutioDality. Democrats and Repub
leans alike arrayed themselves upon it
side. They alike supported il. Willis
the subject was under consideration
several diseased animals were found nea
the City of Washington. The lungs o
one of them were dissected and carried
into congress for its inspection
1t was a well defined cas-,
Of pleuro-pnemmonia, That set
tied the question. England really
knows more fully in regard to the exist.
ence of this disease in this country thar
we do, for she keeps decidedly well posted
thereon. They have complete maps il
Europe showing the location of this dis
ease in the various districts of America
England will not regard the action of tn,
individual states of this country upon tn,
cattle disease. Only that of the natior
will satisfy her. The correspondence,
which | have conducted with parties il
England shows that the people there de
sire u animals alive. The present de.
mand is for the finest quality. The elias,
of cattle they will now take is from l,l5C
TO 1,250 pounds on their arrival upor
British soil. They will pay more for sucl
American cattle than for the Irish OF
Canadian. When | sent them a cop,
of the Animal Industry bill
they said that this was tn,
the best argument that could be used fr
our cattle. All that Great Britain want
is a guarantee from our government as tc
the condition Of the cattle. This the pas,
sage Of the Animal Industry Bill will am.
ply secur England is really friendly t.
us in this matter, but she desires and il
entitled to protection from disease. This
association should take this matter IL
hand and give some pronounced expires
sion thereon. 1t should send a commit.
tee, even if it be but a committee of one,
to Washington, to show that our peopl,
are in favor Of the bill. If we are op.
posed to it, we should say so. Thi.
measure is intended to apply to the At.
lantlc states. We have not had II case OF
the dread disease here, nor has a diseased
animal ever come here from Texas. An
nually we have purchased hundreds ant
| thnttaa nd, 80 lnr ,uttl, .rI ~ l.
| would ask, Where is Texas mentioned
in the bill?' Under its provisions the
national government only has power t.
act where contagious diseases exist. HAY
ing said this much on so important Il sub.
ject, Ill call upon other gentlemen pres.
ent to express their views freely upon this
measure.
Jed Brush, of Colorado, followed quite
briefly, saying that he heartily endorsed
all that MIR. Sturgis had so well said.
Colorado as yet had not legislated upor
the subject as much nor as well ms
Wyoming, but is ready and Willing t.
stand hand and hand, at all times. to Sc,
cure the needed protection.
Mr.. Rusk, of the Chicago Breeders
Gazette. regarded that it was absolutely
necessary To have legislation to prevent
the spread o the dread disease through.
out the land. The people of EnglanC
have suffered severely from its perniciou.
influence. There they have conquered i
in a smaller space, as the cattle there are
more huddled together. There they havt
numerous veterinary surgeons thoroughly
understanding the various phases of cattl,
disease, whilst in this country cattle hay,
been kept in far better condition will
much less care. We have very few veter.
i%narians on this side of the Atlantic VIII,