The record-union., 1893-01-10
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.
What the Humane Society is Doing to
Correct the Evil.
Results of the First Year of Its
Labors-The Supervisors Asked
to Stand In.


acterized by earnestness and enthusiasm.
h. G. Irvine, the NicePresident, opened
the proceedings by making the annual
general report for the Board of Trustees.
1t was fervent and feeling paper and
eloquent with truth.
He said that little over year ago,
prompted by the interest few earnest
men and women take in the welfare of the
brute creation, and by aid of the expert
ence and knowledge of Nathaniel Hunter
of San Francisco, the Sacramento HUI
name Society was formed. 1t has every
reason to feel encouraged at the good re-
suits accomplished during the year, hay
ing corrected many of the cruelties prac-
ticed upon dumb animals.
The objects OF the society, he said, are
not only to prevent cruelty to all animals,
but to educate the old and young to treat
the brute creation with tenderness and
affection. Cruelty is the most odious Of
vices, and the prOfoundest thinkers, the
ablest writers, the grandest orators, the
sweetest poets have earnestly, with
tongue and pen, united to denounce it.
Almost every animal, almost every
bird, said he, testities with one sad voice
that man is a cruel master. 1t is not sur
prising that societies like this spring up
and by their works strive TO mold public
opinion, procure the enactment of proper
laws and work heartily for their enforce
ment.
lie enumerated the objects Of the So
cieIy and told how they are being carried
out and their influence in mOldlng char
actor; the Improvement III The public
pound was referred to- the Stoppage Of
cruelty to calves in transportation, fowls
and other animals; the regulation OF the
IL.
transit. and other good results. Animals
maltreated on their way TO market are
unit for food. The society is now fully
organized aud every member should
strive to increase the organization auu
enlarge It's work. Mr.. Irvine thanked
the press, the attorneys OF the society,
who had given their time and labor to lis
work, Rev. Mr.. Levy, who had preached
in its aid, and the Secretary, Mr.. LaWton,
who had worked SO hard TO forward the
society and with such success.
Incidentally in his report the Vice
President called attention TO the part tho
society should lake in the road improve
ment agitation and to several branches Of
work for which it is fitted, but which it
has not yet taken up.
The Secretary, W. D. I.awton, pre-
seuted his report, stating the number Of
cases which had been investigated and
reinedied. Since the organization Of the
society IS4 cases of cruelty have been re-
ported and Investigated, as follows:
w orking lame horses, Is; working CALLED
horses, .; working or exposing glaudered
horses, 5; working worn out or crippled
horses, 8; working diseased horses, 4;
overlooking or over-driving horses, 81;
general cruelty 10 animals, 81; horses or
dered killed, i; prosecutions, 3; animals
improperly fed, Y.
in 1891 there was no Humane Society
here, and during the hot weather OF the
State Fair much suffering resulted to
horses. In 1892 the society was on the
alert, and being aided by some Of the
hackmen and owners of passenger
wagons, great work was done. Many
passenger wagons had no numbers, and
the law in relation thereto should be en-
forced. He spoke of the good results of
the ordinance passed to prevent cruelty
to animals and poultry, and the improve
ment IN the City Pound. The report
concluded with the statement that there
were over two hundred mem beTs, but
the expense for the year had been 50
heavy that the treasury was not very
plethoric.
Treasurer J. L. Mills presented his re-
port, showing the amount of money on
hand. r. NJ. Clarken, OF Clarken Il Ross
the attorneys of the society, said they had
advised offenders, who were often igno-
rant of the law, and it had generally been
effective and taken the place of prOsecu-
ton. He regretted that the law relative
to the transportation of animals had not
been made county law instead of only a
city ordinance. He had. tried, with poor
success, to have the late Board of Super
visors make it county law, it beng
stated in answer to his appeal that it
would cost money to advertise it. The
fact that it would improve the food sup
ply as well as diminish cruelty, did not
seem to have any effect with the Super
| visors.
! The law at present is a dead letter out
side the city, but those bringing animals
| to market are compelled to avoid violat-
| ing the ordinance when they reach the
/ city limits by rendering them more COM
| Portable. The number of cases prose-
cuted during the past year was three.
In answer to a question by member,
/ Mr.. Clarlen stated that probably some
cases had been prosecuted under other
Acts than the humane law which should
! have been under the latter, but he had
not been advised of such cases. If it is
true, as alleged, then III such cases the
society has been deprived of its income
! from fines.
| 1t was suggested that the society could
! swear out warrants and make owners of
/ horses which were overdriven testify as
witnesses, when they did not really wish
| to prosecute the offender. The San Fran
| cisco society had demonstrated that peo-
/ pie could be compelled TO testify to the
! truth, and that if this society would be
/ the prosecuting witness cases could not
| be compromised, but would be pushed to
! a conclusion. Mr.. Clarken said that could
! be done if anyone would swear to COM
! plants.
/ Secretary Lawton instanced the cruelty
Of a hackman to a horse driven by Chi
naman as the hackman drove by, but the
/ hack having no number On it, he was
/ atterward unable to identify il or its
driver. Many licensed vehicles in this
! city were not numbered and could not
therefore, be identified. He urged that
the law be intorced requiring vehicles to
! be numbered.
A member moved that the new Board
of Directors be requested to urge the
/ Chief of Police to see that all licensed
vehicles be numbered, and 1t was so or
dered.
On motion of F. NJ. Woodson a COM
mittee of three members was appointed
to ask the Supervisors to make the city
ordinance a county law. The committee
appointed consists of Frank NJ. Wood
son, G. H. Smith and J. n. Payne.
/ DIR. Pyburn, being called on for his
views on the effects on food animals
cruelty treated, spoke at length on the
subject, showing that some times the
! flesh OF food animals is rendered unfit for
/ food, but that many popular notions on
/ the subject are erroneous. MIR. Irvine
and Mr.. Clauss spoke interestingly upon
animal food and its condition as related
! to the animal in life.
The annual election being in order, the
/ following trustees were elected for the
year: j. n. Payne, c. J. Grafmiller,
/ Mayor w. D. Comstock, ]. A. WoOdson.
r. c. Irvine, Add G. Hinkson and G. H.
Smith. The society then adjourned sub
ject to call.
The new trustees thereupon met and
elected the following officers of the soci-
ETY.: President, r. Q. Irvine; Vice -Presi-