The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-05-01
INSPECTION OF CATTLE.
Colorado's Adoption Of a Rule May
Prove Onerous to Southern
Shippers.
Believed That Better Results Gould
Be Obtained by the Co.
Operative Plan.
The Opposition tn tho Colorado Rcgula.
tiOns Will lave to lBo From
1ndiyidunls.

According to the Stockgrowers journal
the matter Of inspecting southern cattle
coming into the northern feeding statos is
liable to prove a hardship to shippers. The
government has established inspectors In
the south TO inspect and certify a. to the
cattle at the point OF embarkation. Color
ado has seen fit to ignore federal YsQula-
tions for the movement of cattle aud has
established q rule for m inspection charge
that may prove onerous. State Veterinary
Surgeon Greswell, US secretary Of the veter-
mary sanitary bonrd, announces several i'm
portant changes in the regulations govern
ing the admission Of southern cattle into
the state. The board has decided. and the
decision IL based on an opinion OF the at
torney general. that Its jurisdiction covers
not only cattle destined for Colorado
points, but also all that enter the state even
in transit. The boards inspectors will ac-
cordingly" inspect every animal that crosses
the southern line OF the state, making a
charge of one and one-half cents
per head for doing it. Suoh
inspections have up to this time
been considered proper only by co-opera.
ton with the STATES to which the stock was
y 8Op oAAN oWAok w RAopONs SAouOASo "a
Wyoming, making suoh q stipulation i'm
possible. the decision becomes of no small
Importance, since without it cattle for Col
orado would necessarily be subjected to 4
gseatly increased inspection tax, probably
four to five cents to cover expenses, where
as now all stock will pay its quota.
Besides this. with regard to the thirteen
counties of Texas which have been spe-
cially exempted from the "tever iine'' stat
utes by federal orders. the board gives no.
tice that it shall insist that this precaution-
airy regulations provided shall be observed
strictly to tho letter. as it believes that
several of tho exempt counties are decided
~ dangerous. Steps are to be taken at once
at Washington to secure if possible q with
drawal OF the privilege.
This inspection will make a charge Of
three cents a head on all shipments to
Wyoming. Dakota and Montana. simply
go further in the matter than the federal
authorities have gone to protect the cattle
from disease. II would appear that she
movement of cattle should bo q matter of
interstate commerce with which the states
should not interfere sny more than they
of dead freight. The chronic excuse for
the assumption of vexation rules. the police
power of the state, comes in and allows an
interference with the rights accorded by
the federal authorities. which are damag-
ing and expensive. Inspection is for the
purpose Of determining where the cattle
were raised n how long they have been
north of the fever line, n this can be
done more effectively at the point
of loading in Texas than any
where else. Looking into the animals
mouth or eye at the Colorado line cannot
develop these facts. The papers and the
men accompanying the cattle are the only
guide and means of learning the facts de-
sired, so certainly the best place to ascer-
tain the facts surrounding any given herd
coming from Texas. 10 in Texas where the
evidence exists.
The state veterinary surgeon Of Montana
has acquieaced in the regulations made By
Colorado. so IN opposition to the enforce
ment of the regulations will have to DO in
dividual as the weight of protest by our
state authorities can not be hoped for now.
Individuals will remember the decision of
the United States supreme court in which
1t Is said that the state cannot interfere
with the free movement of healthy cattle
through the confines of the state. and tina
tho states are liable for damages caused by
the exercise of the police power Of tho state.