The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-10-11

certainly known 10 have been exposed ought
undoubtedly 20 be compensated for at some
thing near their value rs listed per taxation;
while the destruction Of an animal not known
to have been exposed. but only suspected ~
have been. ought certainly to be fully CON-
pensated for.
CONFIRMATION.
Such compensation ought therefore to be
provided for by law. The determination of its
details could best be left in this case TO
local board OF appraisers appointed by the
court for the purpose, for such board could
best decide the value OF the stock in their i'm
mediate vicinity. and on hearing the ludg-
ment OF the commission as TO the condition
OF the animals in question. or the certainty
OF their exposure. could decide with fairness
as TO the compensation to be paid:
The prevention OF the spread OF contasi"
ons or infectious disease among 1--we STOCK -
OF indirect Importance TO the who'e state. ~
is directly important TO the immediate iocai-
ity where the disease in question o9ts'ns'
The expenses involved ought TO be- DIVIDED &C
cording to the importance OF the service.
While therefore the expenses and remurera-
ton OF the commission may with justice be
borne by the State. the expenses ana renuner-
alton Of the local boar OF appraisers, and the
still moro important item OF compensation 70
the owner. should be met by the county in
which the case occurs. thus dividing the
greater burden among those most Immediately
interested
Legislation involving increased expense 20
the State. and particularly increased local
taxation. is always submitted TO severe and
usually unfavorable scrutiny. The former
is certainly wise, and the latter not at all I'M
natural but IL the increase Of expense, both
general and local. can be shown clearly TO be
followed by diminuti0n OF loss IN far greater
proportion. such legislation is admitted TO
be both wise aud beneficial. The PROPOSE
ton 10 establish n moro or less expensive
commission and to provide for extensive com
pensstion to owners of destroyed live stock
VIII, 1t is believed. prove to DO OF the class
last referred TO.
A COMMISSION.
Ifitisright. just and in the end highly benef-
cial for large city to tax all its property-hold-
ers Ior the maintenance of an expensive FIRE
department. not only TO save the property OF
the individual owner, whose house may be on
fire for this Il never does perfectly and often
not ALL but especially to prevent the spread
of confederation TO adjacent property. it is
equally Just and wise for the State to main
tain a commission whose duty il shall be to
prevent the spread among live stock OF dis
orders which often move with the destruc-
tiYeness and almost herapidity Of q confagra-
ton If property-owners findit wise and pru-
dent and In the end saving Of money
To pay into the common fund of a fire insur-
ance company in order that any individual
who may be unfortunate may be reasonably
compensated for possible loss, it will prove
in the long run equally wise and prudent for
the individuals in any locality to share the
burden OF possible loss IN the cases under con-
slderation.
1t may be argued that such law will furnish
Y,af Cor nd
dishonest 10 enrich themselves at the expense
of the community 70 this it can be answered
that such things are well known TO happen
with fire insurance companies; and yet it pays
TO insure. If il be urged that FIRE insurance
is voluntary. and that every man IS allowed
to take his own risks and stand his own losses.
i can he replied that fire may occur and work
no damage to any one but the owner of the
burnt property. and that therefore the whole
community has no necessary interest IN the
loss involved. but that it is now certain that
contagious and infections diseases OF stock
are certain to spread with more or less rap
idlty. 1t IS therefore 10 the interest OF the
whole community to do oil that il can to in
sure itself and each individual in 1t.
OBVIOUS QUESTIONS
Two other points merit consideration be-
fore the discussion OF this question is closed.
They are so obvious that they require little
luble iudu DucutlOu.
1t is now certainly known that the dead
body of an animal affected with contagious
or infectious disease is for long time whose
duration has not yet been with certainty de-
but is doubtless different for df-
ferent disorders. and possibly for the same
disorder under varying circumstances Il
centre of .contagion and infection, and not |
only the wind, but the distributing |
action of turkey buzzards and other |
beasts as well may be the |
means Of the rapid and widespread dssemi- |
nation Of the disorder in question. Legisla- |
ton upon this subject ought, therefore, to |
provide under heavy penalty, for the thor |
ough destruction Of the bodies Of all animals |
diving of such diseases or killed because |
injected or exposed 1t should be the duty of |
the commission to prescribe in each case the |
mode of destruction and of the county |
authorities 10 enforce the same.
provision is made by law. as has been |
suggested for Just and reasonable compen- |
zation to owners of stock for any loss that |
may be caused by the proper enforcement of !
tie law there remains no reasonable excuse |
for the conceament of cases of Questionable |
disease on the part of owners of stock, or Tor |
neglect or failure TO announce the same and |
nee such concealment or neglect may be the |
means of serious loss to others persons clear !
" guilty of the same should be regarded as !
lmenable to law. and should, if found guilty. |
receive an adequate penalty.