Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-03-24
Work for the Humane.

Inc American Humane Association di-
reefs the attention of the public to the bar
barities and abuses continually being prac-
ticed in various portions of the country, and
oftentimes in localities and cities which are
deemed very highly civilized In order that
the friends of the defenseless and helpless
may know the extent of this evil, and devise
measures for their relief, mention is here
made of some of the
EXISTING CRUELTIEs:
Animals in freezing and starving condi-
ton, in exposed localities on the Western
plains, in the winter season.
Animals SO horribly burned on their
bodies, through careless branding, as to
make wounds that never heal.
Animals severely wounded and tortured
Dy clubs and long, sharp iron prods, when
being loaded on stock-cars.
Animals so cruelty crowded, trampled,
starved. and kept without water, when
transported long distances by rail to market,
as to make their meat unfit for food.
Horses compelled to endure excruciating
torture by the over-check and other high
check-reins, through the ignorance and
pride of thoughtless drivers.
Dogs and cats driven to desperation and
madness from want of water.
! Horses ruined in health and limb through
being overloaded, lack of food and improp-
er feeding.
Old, CALLED, crippled horses illfed, over
loaded, and generally abused by hard mas
| tiers.
Cows compelled through The penurious-
I Inns C.,ff .nru %I,<r t~
many cities and villages, quenching thirst
[ from mud-puddles, pounded by clubs,
beaten by stones, and mutilated by dogs,
when driven from yards into which the
animals force themselves because of hunger.
Calves with feet tied and tortured, while
being transported long distances, in distress
sed position, over rough roads, by butchers
and others.
Fine horses, outrageously high-checked
and brutally over-driven by drunken, care
less and cruel drivers.
Pigeons wantonly wounded, mutilated
and allowed to linger hours before death
comes TO their relief, at shooting tourna-
ments.
Horses left standing in exposed positions,
through severe storms, without covering.
Beautiful song and useful birds needlessly
slaughtered by men and boys for sport.
Insects, birds and animals of various kinds
cruelty put to death by thoughtless persons,
when a little care would make death less
painful.
The cruelty and savage instinct aroused
by pugilism, cock and dog fighting.
The useless, barbarous cruelty inflicted on
hares and foxes in allowing them to be
chased and hunted by hounds for hours, as
a sport.
The debasing, cruel effect on children by
close confinement at labor, often in dark
and unwholeseme factories and other places.
The cruelties and beatings inflicted on
patient, accomplishing wives by brutal and
drunken husbands.
The whippings and abuse endured by
boys and girls who have been gwen into
the charge of coarse and hard masters.
The starvation aud neglect endured by in
fants and small children, when left by their
parents with those who promise to care for
them.
The privation, distress and degradation
of little waits of children, in the streets,
who often have no one to protect them.
The deplorable condition of the horse,
no longer useful, turned loose to starve and
die; the child, whipped by the heartless
parent; the discharged prisoner, whom no
one will employ; the little tired cash-boy
and cash-girl. that should have been, hours
ago, in bed; the haggard, sunken-eyed,
poorly paid sewing woman; the starving
family, that can get no work; and many,
many others not here mentioned.
A WISE MEAsURE.-Our learned and
distinguished fellow-citizen, the Hon. John
Randolph Tucker, has introduced bill in
Congress of great practical value, which we
hope will become law. 1t is to give the
United States District and Circuit Courts
concurrent jurisdiction with the Court of
Claims in all cases where the amount in
volved is less than ten thousand dollars
AS the matter stands, the docket of the
Il Court, just referred to. is SO crowded that
it amounts to a practical denial of justice
Il to many suitors who have claims which to
them are of great value and Importance. If,
in addition to this we could have an Inter
mediate Court of Appeals, between the Su-
preme Court of the United States and the
lower tribunals, it would be genuine ben
efaction to the country; and before MIR.
Tucker goes upon the Bench of the highest
Federal Court, as it is expected he will, we
wish he would secure the improvement just
indicated. -NOrfoM landmark.