Wichita eagle., 1888-01-29
THE HUMANE SOCIETY.
the Editor of the Daily Eagle.

THE HI NAME SOCIETY.
To the Editor of the Daily Eagle.
By the way Of answer to many inquiries
regarding the aim and purpose OF the
Kansas Humane society, short state
ment seems desirable.
The object of this organization is stated
in the charter as follows: This corpora
ton is formed for the purpose of the pre-
vention OF cruelty to children ana dumb
animals and for the better enforcing of the
laws violating thereto in the state of Kan
sas" Brief as this statement is, it never
theless covers wide field of possible
action.
The society in the first instance proposes
to enforce such laws as already exist for
the prevention of cruelty. But as the
statutes bearing upon this subject are
very meagre, the effort OF the society will
be to obtain at the next session of the leg
islature the passage of such an act as will
fully cover the purposes OF the society
and at the same time put the great state
of Kansas abreast of the older states of the
| Union in this great and humane work In
this direction we expect the hearty symra-
thy and full cooperation of the society re-
Gently organized at Topeka, Fort Scott,
and other cities of the state.
In the city of Wichita the society will
employ an agent to examine into all cases
coming under his observation, or reported
| to him. of cruelty to, or the abuse of chill
dren and dumb animals.
In connection with the work among the
children one object will be to rescue and
| if possible, to find homes for, those who are
| cruelty treated or abandoned. Another
object and one that will commend itself to
| every right thinking man or woman, will
! be to extend the protection to young girls
who, through the neglect of worthless pa
rents or the deliberate Vaccinations of
those around them, are often times forced
into life of shame and dishonor Such
an object needs no commentator, and ii is
believed to be not outside the legitimate
scope OF the society's work.
The society is not fosmed with any view
to interfering with the proper or reasona-
bic family discipline But when children
are made the victims of cruelty, abuse or
wiful neglect, this society pro-
poses-either by friendly admonition-
or by invoking the aid of the law when
necessary, to find remedy and to relieve
the suffering little ones who are powerless
to help themselves.
The inhuman mother living in the south
east part of the city who recently tied her
little child up the beam and beat it almost
senseless will find herself in the grasp of
the law if the offense is ever repeated; and
the little child will find friend in this
society.
To some extent the society proposes to
prevent, and if possible to punish the
cruel overlooking, beating and maltreat-
ment of horses and mules. Hundreds of
citizens have heard of or witnessed the
inhuman treatment OF the Woodworking
and overworked animals in this city dur
ing the past year; and this society proposes
TO stand between the brutes who WELD the
lash and the club and their helpless vic
tins. The man who recently threw "A pet
dog into the furnace of locomotive.
if he had not already fled from
the city according to our pres
ent information) would find this society
prosecuting him to the extent of its power
and to the limits of the law.
Before the coming summer it is hoped to
secure the erection OF public drinking
fountains at various points in the city for
the benefit OF the tired and thirsty horses
that crowd our streets and whose suffer
ings in the hot weather are of untold ex-
tent This, in itself, is one of the most
practicable and least expensive of all
forms OF humane work. A greater amount
of suffering is thus relieved with less out
lay OF time and money than in almost any
other way.
The society will also seek to encourage
the hum ane education of children in the
various schools; believing that kindness
and humanity are the best soil from which
all other good things spring.
The growth of our city renders an or
ganization of this kind of constantly in
creasing Importance. 1t Is work which
in time will speak for itself, but the society
asks the aid and cooperation
of every citizen who sympathizes
with its aim and objects.
There are three classes Of members pro-
vided for in the bylaws, tD Life members
who may become such on the payment Of
nually; and ~ Honorary members who
may be chosen as such for some conspicu-
Gus act of mercy or service to the society
Persons wishing to associate themselves
with the society or TO aid in its work will
confer favor by leaving their names with |
Mr. r. NJ. Piatt, 100 North Main street. or
at the Office OF the secretary. 21t North !
Main street. VIM. MATTHEWSoN.
GEO. l.. DOUGLAS. President. /
Secretary.
Wichita, Jan -, IS