National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-04-17
CHILDREN OR CATTLE.


"Prof. Webster, OF Purdue, has been or
dered by the government TO Memoir, La,
TO make a study Of small black fly, which
has made Its appearance in the last two
years, and infests the bottom lands along
the lower Mississippi and It's tributaries.
The fly Is extremely poisonous TO animals,
and kills horses even in the field. The pro-
lessor is sent thus early TO study the insect
from its inception. n-C Chicago Inter Ocean.
Yes, Of course, when new disease makes
its appearance among the cattle the gov
eminent makes haste to learn its nature
and apply the proper remedies. Neglected,
the disease would spread, and the country
would lose cattle, and cattle mean dollars,
and dollars must be preserved. This Is all
very well. Even II this country has not a
paternal overnment-listening TO the
groans Of ofllceholders, and the disgusting
nonsense about ''offensive partlsanship,n
IL seems 10 lack very little OF being pater-
nal-neither state nor national authority Is
exceeding its duty one whit when IL checks
disease among domestic animals at its In
ception. A question Of this nature Is of
national importance. not OF interna-
tional.
Now, attention is called 10 this rightful
exercise OF authority 10 show that II should
be exercised similarly In other fields so far
only slightly occupied, or altogether neg
lected. The most important is the general
health and care Of the children, particularly
to protect them from unnecessary disease
and death.
Up TO this time, in only one direction has
government done anything for children
education. This oven has been mainly left
to the local authorities, though Congress
has done something In the way Of land
grants for this purpose. Still, this aid has
been small compared with the grants to
corporations. But many Of the states have
provided literally TO train the minds OF the
children, and 80 give them the mental power
requisite to success In this rushing age.
But children are not all minds. They
have bodies as well. Unless these bodies
are preserved and have strength, the mind
can do but little, perhaps falls altogether.
Now, what has the state done for these
little growing bodies II does not even
recognize the right Of, children TO have
eases, which always weaken and often de-
strOy the body, to find lodging In nearly
every community, while nothing is done to
check their ravages except to appoint
health officer, frequently with no money at
his disposal, and always with very little
authority. Even II he does his whole duty
as defined by law, he can accomplish only
small part Of what Is needed. How can one
man attend to all tho calls that may rise In
a large community unless he has full au-
thorlty to appoint aids and use money freely
upon an emergencyp This is not the pres
emit condition. There must DO a great ex-
tension Of power and a concerted effort to
protect the children from these diseases. Dr.,
Scarlet fever and diphtheria are as deadly
to child life as pleuro-pneumonia to cattle.
Tell the state that the latter disease exists in
single spot and instantly the whole power
Of the state hedges II In and brushes 1t out
forthwith Publish the statement that scar
let fever prevails in any community and no
one gives 1t a passing thought. Are cattle
worth moro than chilarenP Shall their
young lives be snuffed out and no one no.
tice the gathering darknessP According to
established usage each human life is worth
| S., 900 in money; how many times that the
child may prove In affection and stimula-
ton no one can tell. Yet the two diseases be-
aforementioned and another scourge almost
as deadly, measles, are ollowed to operate
while the public stands with folded hands,
as though powerless, How long shall this
| apathy continue ? WIN It be until the
heritage passes from us to people that
shall care for the little ones, as did the ma
lions OF old The power OF the future
rests in the children. Care for them is the
duty Of the present. Let It not be said that
| this nation buried It's children through
| neglec' while giving all its fostering care
to cattle and swine.-LcROy II. Griffin, IN
| Chicago Current.