The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-29
HENRY BERGH'S DAILY WORK
Record of Busy Day With the Dumb
Animals Best Friend.
How the Founder of the Society for the P re-
vention Of Cruelty to Animals Is Won't
to Conduct His Chosen Business.
Correspondence of the Indianapolis Journal

Correspondence of the Indianapolis Journal
NEW YORK Jan. 27.-For twenty-five years,
and even longer, Mr.. Bergh has devoted his
energy and wealth to the amelioration of the
condition of the dumb creation. Since that time
he has the modest society which he
founded, and of which he is still the president.
become one of the strongest benevolent organi-
cations. not only in this city but in America for
there is now hardly State in the Union which
does not contain kindred organization. In
thirty-seven States and Territories laws forbid
ding the ill-treatment of animals have been
passed. and in thirty four Of them societies to
carry out their provisions have been organized.
Canada, Mexico. Cuba and several South Ameri-
can countries have aided the good work by
organizing societies. and the passage of laws is
certain to follow. Very few men have ever
lived see the work which they started grow
to such colossal proportions, and there is no
other reformer living who has witnessed
the spread of his ideas over SO vast territory
Mr.. Bergh is now able to spend only a small
part of his time in his Office. He usually makes
one daily visit about noon, and that part of the
official work which he does not personally super
wise is left to Henry Bergh, jr., his nephew
and for many years past the secretary of the
experienced superintendent of the organization.
1t would be wen therefore, in following Mr.
Bergh through one OF his busy days. to select
day in the not remote past when he was not
only the head but the chief executive officer of
the society which owes its existence to his un-
trlng zeal. With your permission, then, we
I will on this occasion only turn back the hands
of time until they point to A. NJ. one clustering
winter day few years ago. The Fourth
avenue car which Mr. Bergh boarded shortly af
ter he left his handsome residence on Fifth ave-
stops at the corner of Twenty second street.
and Mr. Bergh alights, and at once makes his
way to his commodious Office on the second floor.
A moment later the door opens and the super
officially begun. The president gives him few
instructions regarding the disposition OF case
which YVES related 20 him by gentleman who
rode down with him on the car. and to which Mr..
Bergh has not time to give his personal atten-
ton. A brief report of the more important
court cases for the day is presented, and the su-
perintendent starts to leave the room.
''One moment, Mr.. Hankinson." ard the su-
perintendent returns to the side of his chief.
II received visit from lady at my house
before breakfast to-day. She lives West
Twenty ninth street. between Tenth and Eev-
enth avenues She is a washerwoman, and has
time to call at the Office during the day. She
wanted to that the boys in her house
prevented from tormenting cat which
belongs to woman living on the floor above
her. Yesterday they drove the poor animal upon
the roof and its cries kept her awake all night
"Yes, sir"
"See that those boys are arrested. If you can
learn who they are and they must be punished
Such wanton cruelty must be stopped
.sYes, sir"
After iot,ing down the woman's address. the
door. and the president turns his attention to
his voiuminous mail, which half covers one end
of his desk. No other man in New York re-
celves many letters concerning persons and
their affairs in which he can have no possible
interest. as Mr. Bergh. There is something
about public benefactor which Specially at
efS w n
of living is apparently to burden the mails with
worse than useless eplstleS.
Here are a score more letters from persons
in this city who have seen abuses which the
society is called upon to correct. Some of
the writers ate business men who have no time
to visit the Office in person to lodge their
complaints Here other letters from
those who fear to sign their names. Maybe
they are clerks who inform against their en-
poyers. or servants against their masters There
are other letters, also anonymous but from a
far different cause. They are agents of spite
and are written to make trouble for innocent
persons. But whatever may be the writer's pur
pose the complaint is handed over to the super
intendent to be given to an officer for investiga
tion and should abuse be found it is speedily
and effectively corrected.
These three letters have more serious i'm
port. One is from Wallstreet banker inclos-
ing his yearly $40 subscription and 800 additional
to aid the society in its work Another is from
an unknown friend of the society 1t contains
a wel-worn silver dime.
Papa gave me this to buy candy with. but I
The signature is a comprehensive one and be-
sides giving the name and address of the writer
states his age as ten years The money goes in
to the treasury, but the letter is placed
record. The last is covered by an envelope
which bears no other superscription than the
address TO Mr.. Bergh The letter Is scrawled in
guage A large and inky skull and cross bones
ornament corner of the sheet, beneath which
is printed the omnous warning. Beware" The
venerable president is advised to leave town at
once aud .neyer show his face in New York
again. The penalty of disobedience is dire and
painful, and If officer should interfere would
doubtless be fatal, slungshots a pistol or two
and knife among the agents of punishment
alluded to. For the first time during the day,
Mr.. Bereh shows emotion.
He laughs and the letter Is consigned to the
waste basket.
1t is now time to go to court to appear against
offenders arrested on the previous day. The
cases to-day come in the Court of Special
Sessions. All of the general officers of the soci-
ETY. have special licenses 30 plead in court, and
Mr. Bereh has studied sufficient law to be adj
mitted TO the bar for the better prosecution of
the socetys victims The first case demon
strates more forcibly than words express
that the society is respecter of wealth. A
rich man who beats his dog is no more impor-
taDt in Mr.. Bergh's ewes than the poor man who
torments his neighbours pet The coachman of
a millionaire is the prisoner. HIS employer has
become bondsman for him. and his attorney is
present to see that justice is dealt out to him.
And that Is just what is done-just that and
nothing more or less, He was arrested for using
an infamous bit, the sides of which contained
sharp tacks which pressed cruelty into the sides
of the horses face inf1icting such pain that ne
reared and danced, as this gave him the appear
ance of great spirit Mr.. Bergh briefly states
the case to the court. The bi: is produced
Half an hour of argument is heard. and the
prisoner, in spite of his masters wealth and So
ciety position is fined $25.
This is case of far greater inhuma anitv. and
as Mr.. Bereh looks over the complaint, his face
grows stern and hard. A brutal fellow is ar
ralgned for having tortured a canary bird to
death-his bird, too. In fit of fendish |
maignity he took the little creature fro m its |
cage, imprisoned 1t in paper bag. and blew |
such volumes of tobacco smoke into the bag |
that he suffocated it. Even the courtroom |
loungers, accustomed they TO tales of |
crime shudder almost as they hear the story, |
and the other prisoners. the old and the young |
drunkards. the sneak thieves and highway rob- |
bers the shop-lifters aud the wife -beaters,
instinctively move away from the brute and