The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-25
OUR SILENT FRIENDS.
MEASURES THAT IRE BEING TAHEN
TO HELP THEIR K0T.
The Richmond Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals Ia Organizing Tor
wo~rk-bfethods and Purposes.

The Society for the Prevention Of Cruelty
10 Animals Ia doing some quiet but efec-
tive work. and Is taking into its member
ship scme OF the most influential citizens
Of Richmond.
[ had an interview with Mr.. Ira Mowery,
the secretary OF the new society, at his
office. No. S north Tenth street, in The
Times building. yesterday.
Mr.. Mowery Is deeply interested In the
society and thoroughly familiar with Its
workings in other cities. He is always
ready to talk upon the subject and very
| cheerfully complied with nv demands for
informaticn. The interview took the turn
OF a running fire Of questions and answers,
and | give them iust as they were suggest
ed. In answer 10 n question concerning
the progress OF the Association and It's
popularity with the people Mr.. MoWery
said:
We are meeting with gratifying success.
After several months Of quiet work In an
effort to get started we finally organized I'M
I der a charter of the legislature, approved
| February %. 1892. and many OF the iead-
ing citizens OF the city have become mem
ters. and are contributing time and money
10 the success of the society.
Are there sufficient laws In force for the
purposes OF the society?
eyes. CHAPTER 554 OF the acts OF W.
approved March l. 1892. meets the require
ments OF the society completely; indeed,
Il is fully Nd 10 thu laws of other states
which have legislated upon the subject for
many wears. and | am certain that very
few people who own and have charge OF
horses and other animals are familiar WITH
. this act
What about city ordinances?
THE city officials are in sympathy with
the objects of cur society, and We have
their cooperation In the laudable purposes
Of the society"
Are you fully equipped to carry out your
plans?
Not fully. OF course; but we hope to be
soon. We have an officer and an attorney
and many of the members are active IN
looking after our interests"
You say you have n counselor. DO you
expect 10 have 10 prosecute any one LOT
cruelty 20 animals2
mo; we hope to avoid prosecution ana
10 remedy all complaints by remonstrance
and friendly caution; bur, IL 1t should De
necessary TO prosecute for fnfracti0hs OF
the law. we shall do 50 with all the force
NJ our command. OF over six hundred com
DldlulS III lulldutlDulh MHl fNait N"S
very few had TO be prosecuted
How much will it cost TO pay the run
ming expenses Il the society?
That will depend on how X Is RIM. Inc
New York society spent about forty thou
sand dollars for running expenses IN lSol'
and they received about eighty thousand
We expect to carry out all OF our plans
in this city on as economical n basis as
possible. At present no one connected WIN
the work Of the society receives any com
pensatlon. but as our work Increases our
expenses will also increase"
Who are the active officers of tho so
cletv?
I'VE have a president. five yice-presidents
and q board OF ten directors and several
Indies who are members Of executive anu
membership committees. Most Of these are
taking . very active interest in the work
Of the society, and many members are help
ing US greatly.
"Dr. Jud b.. Wood is our very efficient
president. and he gives much OF his time
to the work"
Do you meet with any oppositionf
'.Yery little. Most OF the people we have
approached are In hearty sympathy with
our work. Some think we ought TO take
In cruelty to children. and s0me have other
plans 10 propose. but this Is a business In
stitntion. and we have TO carry out such
plans ms the projectors and officers deem
best. We cannot meet eyeryone's views,
but hope to do so much good and conduct
the work on such reasonable and beneh-
cent plans as to win the favor and approba-
ton Of everybody"
VIII the society extend its operations be-
yond the city?
I'VE hope TO ultimately improve the con
dition OF dumb animals ala over the State
in the matter OF feeding, watering, trans
porting. &c"
What first prompted you to start the so
cietv here?
This city being the centre OF large traf-
hc. and handling a great deal OF heavy
merchandise. and the streets having very
heavy grades. there is great need for its