St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-01-16
GOSPEL OF KINDNESS
As McULcATE0 BY THE MINNEAPOLIS
HUMANE SOCIETY
ANNUAL MEETING YEsTERDAv.

tnrOpy-Ihe Election OF OH.
GERS.
The annual meeting of the humane
society occurred yesterday afternoon,
and, contrary to expectations, there
was very little friction. The meeting
was called to order by John Dav Smith,
the president, and in the absence of the
secretary, Francis Bergstrom. the at
torney, acted in that capacity.
The principal feature of the meeting,
aside from the election OF officers, was
the report Of the president, which was
as follows:
This is the third annual meeting of
the Minneapolis Humane Society. A
careful study of the work of the So
ciety during these three years will con-
vince the most skeptical that commend
able progress has been made along the
Zines of intelligent philanthropy. Our
mission is to alleviate suffering and
prevent or mitigate cruelty to children
and animals. The influence OF our or
ganiZation has been felt in placing in
he laws of the state, during the Ses-
sion of 1898. most valuable provisions to
aid us in our work.
A brief reference to the new laws will
not be out of place. An amendment to
laws relating TO cruelty to animals was
made so that ANY animal found aban-
doned or not properly cared for, appear
ing in the Judgment of two reputable
citizens, called 10y him to view the same
In his presence, to be glandered, in
Jured or diseased past recovery for any
useful purpose" may be put to death
by any agent or officer of any of our
humane societies in the state.
A further amendment was made. so
that when any person takes possession
| of an animal confined without necessary
food, water and proper attention for
more than fifteen successive hours, and
| removes ami cares for the same, and the
"owner or custodian shall not, within
| five days after notice of such action,
redeem such animal by paying all the
| expenses incurred by such action, and
| thereafter supply such animal with
necessary food, water and proper atten-
| tion," such animal shall be held to be
all estray, and shall he dealt with as
such. LChap. 100, Laws of 1898.
A law was passed making the person
who 'being the owner or possessor, or
| having charge or custody of manned.
| diseased, disabled or intirm animal.
| abandonS such animal, or leaves it TO
die in street, road or public place, or
WIZ dIIOWo W llC Ill q SlIGOl. COdu Vi
| public place more than three hours
after lie receives notice that it has been
left disabled" punishable by imprison-
ment not exceeding three months, or
! fine not exceeding 500.
An important law was also enacted,
| providing That every owner, possess
Sor. or person having the charge or GUS
| tody Of any animal, who cruelty drives
or works the same when unfit for labor,
or by age has become useless, or who
shall carry or cause TO be carried upon
any vehicle or otherwise, living animal
having the feet or legs tied together or
III any other cruel or inhuman manner,
or shall abandon any manned, sick, or
intirm or disabled animal to die in any
| public place, or who shall carry or
cause to be carried, any live animal
! upon any vehicle or otherwise, without
providing suitable racks, cars, crates or
! cages in which such animals can lie
| down while awaiting slaughter, such
| person shall be guilty of misdemeanor;
| provided, that in the case of shipment
I of horses, cattle or mules by rail it shall
be deemed full compliance with this
act II sufficient space is provided for
such horses. cattle or mules to stand
up" [Chapter 55, Laws of 1898
Several important additions were also
made to the laws relating to cruelty to
children. They are as follows:
!. A person who tortures or tor
mentS, or cruelty or unlawfully pun
ishes any child under the age of sixteen
years, or who commits any act of cru
city toward any such child, is guilty of
a mlSdenIeanor.
2. A person who compels a child
under sixteen years of age to labor more
than ten hours in any factory, work
Ch . Ia
| business, is guilty of misdemeanor.
ID. r. Noyes, the honored president of
the Minnesota State Society for the Pre-
Yention OF Cruelty, gave me every pos
Slble assistance in procuring the enact
ments of these new laws. Several impor
tant bills passed the senate which were
never acted upon in the house.
Our society has never been called
upon to act on a case OF yivisection.
How far it is practiced in our medical
schools l am unable to say. A most
vigorous warfare is being waged against
the brutal practice in the Eastern
states. Viyisectfon Is clearly against
the laws of this state, and whether
pIacticed in geological classes in schools,
before medical students or in private
laboratories, does not change its criminal
character. More than anything else we
| need teachers who will teach "kind-
ness, Justice and mercy to every living
creature"
Cases requiring the most frequent
interference of The society are cases Of
cruelty TO horses. In the administra-
ton of the laws it is our purpose to
prevent rather than punish cruelty.
One damage suit was brought against
the society for killing a horse which
was disabled beyond permanent re-
covery. Although there been technical
violation of the law in killing the horse
by the veterinary surgeon, yet the jury
after hearing the evidence promptly re.
turned verdict for the society.
l would like to call the attention of
| the society to the fact that we are pay
| ing out of our pockets to have an agent
| with police powers enforce the laws
| of the state that ought to he enforced
| by the officers of the city and county. l
made to have the agent of the society
appointed Oh the regular police force of
| the city to do the same kind of work he
| does now, and thus relieve the society
| of large part of our annual expense.
| If we can enlist the teachers in
| our schools and the clergymen in the
| city and our progressive business men
| in our ranks, our work need never stop.
| In order to do this we must conduct the
work of the society so as to deserve and
| compel their approval. To this end you
may always rely upon my hearty CO.
| operation.
| ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
| The election of officers resulted as
| follows:
John Day Smith. president; first vice
president, F. w. Reed; second vice
president, Mrs. Charles E. Conant; third
| vice president, A. 2. LOOMS; fourth
vice president, w. Ii. Foss; treasurer.
7. j. Williams; secretary, Mrs. I. j.
Williams.
Directors-G. c. Merrill, George ].
Backus, H. E. Rowell, j. l. Tallmadge,
| Joseph Congdon and Mrs. Kate Falls.
Francis Bergstrom was elected the
| attorney for the ensuing year; ii. E.
! Rowell, veterinary surgeon, and Mrs.