Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-12-13
THE HUMANE SOCIETY.

| The Humane society was established in
| Wichita because there was necessity for
such an institution, and the necessity
| exists now as much as it ever did. A HUI
name society is almost an essential to the
well being Of city. These facts have been
| fully realized by the few members who
| inaugurated the movement here, and have
| thus far sustained it, 1t is we'll known
that it has done much good, and is still
doing good, but the members are not
satisfied, and intend that this organiza-
ton shall exert its influence still further.
This society has already made itself felt in
several criminal prosecutions. and is daily
dong little acts OF humane work that
do not come TO the notice OF the public.
| The officers are Captain William Mathew
son. president; attorney, ". E. Stanley,
prosecutor, and attorney, George E. Doug
| las, secretary When it was first organ
| lied the absence of specific laws under
which it might operate was a serious
drawback to its growth. but it struggled
along as best it could. however. The last
| legislature took cognizance of the matter
and promulgated the usual humane laws,
| which enables the society to reach nearly
all cases. The new law further gives it
| jurisdiction over homeless and needy chill
dren. Captain Mathewson stated yester-
! day that all that was now needed was
| more thorough organization, embracing
the entire community if possible. He and
! Mr.. Stanley had frequently discussed the
| subject and agreed that general meeting
| should be called and the citizens at large
! made TO understand the necessity of the
organization, its power and influence, and
enlist them as members. The matter had
been put off thinking that times would
| get better and that it would be easier to
enlarge the membership list, but he
thought that there had been too much
delay already and the sooner some steps
were taken the better. The membership
fee is 81 90, and besides needing the money
the cooperation of the best citizens was
essential to success. Although there
were orphan asylums, hospitals and
charitable institutions in the city
already, a reform and industrial school
| was needed and should be founded and
conducted by the Humane society, or at
! all events should come under its jurisdic
ton.
In answer to the question. Captain
Mathewson said that one only had to keep
| their eyes open to see instances of cruelty
TO animals every day, while more import
ant yet was the number of Children that
should be placed under proper care.
| Amongst the instances he cited were the
! following, some of which had received at
i tention and others were not reported in
time or were beyond the societys capabili-
| ty at present:
| A drayman compelled to Tighten an over
loaded team by threatening prosecution.
| Upwards of ninety horses sent to pasture
| on account of some disability for work
during the year
An occasional cock fight passed by with
out notice.
| A man beating a horse over the head
with club passed unnoticed.
| A little boy should have been taken from
cruel parents but the society had no place
to send it.
Homes had been found for number of
destitute children.
Several children should be taken from
drunken and immoral parents.
| \ woman wandering around the streets
drunk with a baby liable TO die from eX
posure.
Several abandoned children.
4 number of cases of overworked
women, children and animals whose con-
ditions could at least be ameliorated by u
thoroughly organized society.
Captain Mathewson said he could not
remember hundreds OF complaints that
reached him, and although some were not
very serious yet were entitled to attention
and Investigation. He hoped that some
interest could be awakened in the matter
and he would like to see several auxiliary
societies formed in other parts OF the state.
! Another member said in his opinion the
society should consider at the earliest pos
slble moment tue dehorning of cattle, a
practice which was becoming very pre-
valent here and had attracted the atten-
ton of humane societies in 9th er states.
The last nights police docket shows the
arrest of three small boys that should be
! looked after now by the Humane society
or they viii be looked after by and bye by
| the criminal court.