The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-01-15
CATTLE DISEASE.
The State Board of Agriculture
Opposed to Federal Methods.

Trenton. JAN. 10. 1s91.-The matter Of
much misrepresented add misunderstood
that the State Board of Agriculture has
decided to give considerable attention TO
the subject at the annual meeting the
end of this month. DIR. Il. NJ. Hunt. of
the State Board of Health, has been in
vited to deliver an address on the subject
and It is known that he will to some ex-
tent criticise the present laws controlling
Dleuro- o-pneumouia. Information is at
hand that the United States Government
has spent 800, S25 to hold the disease in
subsection In New Jersey alone. The au-
thorities here are disposed to think that
there has been considerable waste in the
expenditure OF money.
The State Board of Health still con-
tinues to have control of the quarantine
ing OF diseased cattle, but has no power
TO condemn or slaughter herds. Little or
no tuberculosis has come TO the knowl-
edge OF the department during the year
not over fifty-five cases. The whole
county of Hudson is in quarantine be-
cause 1t Is notable trading point for
cattle, and the avenue through which all
the trouble has come. 1t is there that
nearly all the money is spent and the
doctrine OF condemnation and appraise-
ment very largely pursued. IL is alleged
that more cattle are killed than Is neces-
sary.
The United States reports that $50
cattles were slaughtered aud paid for at
cost of s12. .S96.25. This expenditure Is
regarded as superfiuous, as 1t Is not neces-
sary TO Kill SO many cattle in an affected
herd. The disease is only contagious
where the cows are brought in direct con-
tact with affected cattle.
The balance of the $50, SOS was spent
tagging cattle in exposed herds andpa :
-
cause Oh the enormous amount of money
expended, statistics that are calculated to
alarm the people are constantly being put
in circulation.
Both the State Board of Health and the
State Board of Agriculture are anxious
that the State, be relieved of any further
trouble In the matter The State author
tiles and the United States are not in
accord as to the methods, aud. as the rela-
tIons now stand they are only creative of
confusion in the minds of the farmers and
cattle owners In 1878 Governor
Mcclellan took up the matter OF disease
among animals. which was then quite
prevalent all over the State, and ap-
pointed Gen. Sterling a member Of his
staff to look after the matter. and he ex-
pended $4,000 In his work, but was sue
cessful in getting rid of the plague ex-
cepting in Hudson county. In 1873. the
quarantine against certain diseases in
cluding pleuro pneumonia was trans
ferred to the State Board of Health, and
in 1883 the United States agreed to act in
connection with the State. Only s., 900 q
year is now allowed TO be expended for
pleuro pneumonia, except when the
Governor and Comptroller see fit to raise
the amount TO 5000.
The State has the right to order and in
sist on quarantine for an afflicted herd.
The United States makes inspection,
polices the affected district and appraises
the cattle in herd and kills them all
whether they are affected or likely to be.
During the past year only S72S was spent
by the State. In fact there is only 81, 900
available for this purpose, because the
act which allows the Director OF the Ex-
pertinent Station to condemn and burn
cranberry vines affected with ihe fungus,
allows the amount to be paid for damages
to came from The pleuro-pneumonia tuad
to the extent of 81, 600
An attempt viii be made to Secure ad-
ditional legislation on the subject of dis
ease in cattle, particularly to more clear ly
define the purpose of the State, or else en-
tireiy relieve the State Of the trouble,