The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-03
TEE SACRED COW.

Until a few months ago the Indianapolis
cow had not only all seasons for her own, but
all territory, including public streets, parks,
private door yards and gardens. She wan
dered wherever her vagrant fancy led, I'M
hindered, if she were an accomplished, ma
tive cow, by the slight impediments Of gates
and fences She was an established public
institution, and stubbornly refused to be put
down from her high estate. She had political
and social influence, and she used both to
maintain her standing. 1t was not safe in
private conversation to berate COWS,
lest your auditor should be the
owner Of one Of the beasts. City
councils bowed down to her, and for
many years she reigned supreme. At last
however, came a time when her enemies
seemed to triumph Powerful pressure was
brought upon the city's guardians Some of
them, perhaps, had had valuable shrubbery
destroyed by predatory kline; others had, pos
sibly an interest in strictly rural diaries. 1t
may, too, have dawned dimly upon the mem
bers of the Council that other citizens had
rights that should be protected, and votes
that would count, as we'll as the owner of the
'poor mans cow" However this may be,
the day came when, by an heroic effort, a cow
ordinance was passed. The COW was ordered
to be restrained of her liberty; she was no
longer to be permitted to run at large, but
must go to sweet fields and pastures new be-
yond the city limits, or remain in
her she'd People who did not own
COWS, but had suffered from their
maraudings, rejoiced though with some mis-
givings. People-some people-who cid own
them walled loudly, but engaged herders who
should lead the animals to safe pasture in the
morning and return them in the cleaning to
their owners premises. All summer, between
The hours of and IL each morning the
sight has been seen of the reluctant boy slow
1y driving his equally unwilling flock beyond
the limits Of their old stamping ground, and
of. the same boy joyfully speeding their return
at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, or thereabouts,
after which hour boy and COWS were free to do
as they liked. Some owners took this pre-
caution. Others, better acquainted with the
intentions and customs of councils, went on
their way undisturbed by ordinances, and
their COWS did likewise. AS the gentlemen
who are elected to look after the interests of
the city carefully omitted to provide pound
wherein stray animals might be placed and
ss carefully neglected to issue any orders rela-
tive to the enforcement of the regulation
made, it has followed that the COW ordinance
amounts to nothing.
AS the Journal said at the time, it was not
intended to be enforced, and it has not been
enforced The cow has destroyed shrubbery,
has INSTRUCTED sidewalks, and has been quite
as much of aehusance generally since the
passage Of the ordinance as before The
presence of focks of cattle in the public
streets. and on all open commons has been
matter for jeering comment during the past
week from residents of small country towns
who have visited the fair, and on their way
have observed the rural aspect of the city.
Even farmers from regions where the pres
ence of stray cow in the public road is
looked upon disapprovingly, regard the In
dianapolis animal with surprise. The Indian
apolis cow in her present character of city
boss-no pun intended-is simply disgrace
to the community over which she reigns and
particular disgrace to corrupt or cowardly
sSuncils, and it is time measures were taken
TO suppress her effectually.
DRAMATIC INEQUALITIES.
Mha rnaaraharc Of tho draraao tio ,arofocrio.,