St. Paul daily globe., 1892-06-06
The HUMANE PEOPLE.
An Interesting Meeting Held
Last Night in the Ly-
ceum
In the Interest Of the Society
for the Prevention OF
Cruelty.
Distinguished Speakers, In
Guiding Them Hon. 7. W.
Palmer, Of Michigan.
An Illinois Alternate Has His
Pocket Pieked--A Runa-
way Accident.

The mass meeting at the Lyeeum last
night in the interest of the Minneapolis
Humane society proved an interesting
event, the list or speakers being an es-
pecially strong one. The attendance, i'll
spite of the heat, was a large one, the
lower floor and balcony being we'll filled.
The objects of the meeting were to
create an interest in the work being
done by the society, and adding to the
list of contributors. There is no doubt
but these objects were attained, for the
collection was an exceptionally large
one, and the names subscribed on
the sOciety's membership book were
many. Aside from the speeches, the
audience was entertained by several adj
niirably rendered vocal and lnStru-
mental selections. John Day Smith,
president of the Humane society, was
the first speaker, and in the few mo-
ments he occupied the floor he told the
audience of the work being accom-
plished by the society and the many
difficulties it had to contend with. The
experience OF the society, he said, had
been rich, sad and varied. 1t had been
in existence nearly three years, and had
d ulGluUClSl4lH VI aOO NOAttA4AiAtOAo' Coe
the work was extensive. and double the
number was desired and needed.
Mrs. Kate ButfingJon-Davis dis
coursed on the American System OF
Cruelty to Children" 10y fostering and
encouraging child labor. She said there
were over 100000 child tOilerS in this
country, the majority OF whom were
living in the darkness of piuable lg-
nOrance. She grew eloquent in speak
ing for the unfortunate ones and
pictured their deplOrable condition in
startling cOlors. She maintained
that because child-labOr was tolerated
here, the American nation as whole,
was guilty Of gross cruelty. 1t was a
shame and disgrace, and she hoped a
new sentiment would soon awaken in
the hearts of the people. The solution
of this problem could be found, she
thought. in the tree kindergarten Sys-
TEN, and cooperation with the humane
societies. Beth institutions were doing
q grand work that should be encOur-
aged.
DR.. James H. Dunn spoke on the
question of cruelty from physicians
standpoint, and gave descriptions OF i'll
genious instruments of torture he had
seen in foreign countries. Extreme
casts VI GIuCltl MSISi ii hlo OPAHAOHf
due to mental berratiOn-tempOrary at
least. In most cases of cruelty
to animals, it was found that it
was brought about through ignorance.
when he had concluded, Mrs. w. c.
Foster, of the Northwestern conserva-
tory of music, surprised the audience
with a genuine Grafton, accompanied by
the most approved and graceful DelSar-
team movements. Her subject was
Cruelty to the HorSe," and as an ex-
emplifcation of the capabilities of that
animal recited "Sheridan>s Ride"
Dean W. S. Pattee. of the state uni
versity, treated the subject of cruelty to
children and animals in scientific way.
celebrating on the physiological and
psychological conditions of MAN which
lead TO the practice of cruelty. 1t was
sad commentary on the human race, he
said, that it was necessary TO have SOcl-
cites for the prevention Of cruelty.
However, there was no doubt but the
world was growing better, for the law
Of human progress was at work,
relegating to the background
the barbarOus methods of cru
city. 4 hundred years ago
there could not be found in any book on
moral philosophy the slightest mention
VI lllG VI Oulllt slllAuldlSs 1dO
was because the dumb beast was not
deemed thing worthy of notice, or a
sensitive being. DIR. Sample, who was
the next speaker, spoke strongly On the
subject of cruelty to animals, which, he
said. was certain indication of lack
of brains. The use of the Overcheck
rein was a sign of lack of intellect, and
the docking of a horses tail cruel and
idiotic custom. DR.. Sample believed in
the society and prayed for its success.
The last speaker was Senator Thomas
". Palmer, of Detroit, president of the
Columbian exposition, and president of
the Michigan Humane society. During
the course of his remarks he said: We
build colleges for our young, men and
seminaries for our girls, that they may
receive education, but we leave to
chance the education of the emotions.
We should teach a sentiment that would
bring about a better understanding of
the dumb animals by the human
kind, and thereby regulate the
emotions, which will put an
end to cruelty. The poor dumb beast
has been neglected, and l think l can
tell you the cause of it and the cruelty
practised. Fifty per cent is due to
ignorance, % to Indifference, Is to av-
arice, 8 to temper, and to total depraY-
ity. Some men YOU cannot reach save
through the strong arm of the law, but
through the kindly influence and
methods of the humane society, VEN
1ure to say that nine cases out of ten
can be reached. Kind talk and good
examples | fin6 bring about irSt-claSS
result.
In referring to the overcheck used on
horses, Senator Palmer said it was. in
his opinion, one Of the most diabolical
inventions on earth. He would never
allow it to be used OH his horses, and
would discharge any emplOye who used
it. Cruel children, he said, in the ma
jority of cases went to thebad. He had
lived in Detroit for siXty-two years, and
had watched five generations. The boy
who stoned cats and cut tails off dogs
will, in the general run of things, grow
up with perverted mind and clouded
intellect.