Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-30
COWS ROAMINGTHE STREETS
Nh. Henry A. Wizards Recollection of a
Crisis in the City's History.
Why Senator Edmunds Wanted the
mitted by Wandering Animals.

1.-THE cackling of geese saved Rome"
said Mr.. Henry A. Willard, the other night,
while conversing with some friends at his
residence on K street, land the squeal of
Pigs nearly destroyed Washington.
It's an amusing but at the same time
serious story he proceeded, noticing the
expression of inquiry on the faces of his
hearers, land when 1 have related it to
you you will be able to appreciate even
more fully than you do the influence little
things exert in shaping the destinies of
places and people.
When Senator Edmunds first came to
Washington a Representative in Con-
gress," he continued, "he brought letters to
me from mutual friends in Vermont, my
native state as you know. and We got to
know each other very we'll. At that time
and for years afterward Washington was
struggling town composed of big pas
lures and punches of houses here and there.
At the period l speak of there were a few
more houses, whose erection must have
encroached on the pastures, because the
cows and goats and geese and pigs for
SOCK the commons for the city streets, and
no ones front yard was involate to their
depredations by night or by day unless the
gates and fences were strong and kept Sc
curely closed.
I'VE had city government here then
composed of board Of aldermen, a city
council and mayor. There were frequent
~
ordinance that would prevent domestic ami
mails and geese from running at large, but
while these measures would almost in
variably pass the aldermen, they would be
Killed in the city council, because not only
nearly every councilman owned a horse or
a cow or goat or a pig that went where
It's sweet Will suggested, but all of their
constituents did, and a vote for such an
ordnance would have meant positive ruin,
Senator Edmunds' Ire Aroused.
well, one morning." continued Mr.. Will
lard, Il met Edmunds, who was then a
Senator, at market, and he said to me,
Willard, I'm going to offer a resolution 10
move the capital away from Washington
Il told him that such proposition had SO
often been suggested and talked about that
1t had ceased to alarm us, but inquired the
reason why he wanted to have the location
changed. 1 remember well the deGberaticn
with which he gave his reply.
L think he said, that if the capital of
the ma ton hasn't got government that will
shut up the hogs and cows, it's time to move
it.
a new house up on Massachusetts, avenue
There was large yard in front, which had
been newly sodded and put in apple-pie
order. So he grew warmer and more en-
phatic as he continued:
This morning when I arose I found a
sow and her pigs had rooted up every blade
of grass in my yard. and there was COW
in the center surveying the ruins. Any gov
eminent, I FAY. that can't prevent such out
rageous things should not be allowed to have
charge of the countrys capital
Il saw he was very angry, and properly
so, and very much in earnest and thereupon
proceeded to tell him that we had tried for
years to get the nuisance abated, but with
out success. 1 recited the difficulties We had
encountered in the municipal government
just as did to you moment ago.
gu see, are pOwerIeSS, Senator i
remarked. in conclusion but you people up
on the hill can accomplish it easily
Senator Edmunds looked at me intently
and said, Willard, draw up your bill and I'll
push It through
THAT day." continued Mr.. Willard, 81
ent to William B. Webb and told him what
wanted. He drew up the bill creating the
beard of health and clothing it with the
power to regulate the running at large of
hogs, COWS, goats and geese, and to abate
nuisances. The bill was handed to Senator
Edmunds, and in two weeks it was passed.
Governor Cooke offered me the first appoint
ment on the board, but declined it.
so that swhy said that the cackling of
geese saved Rome and the Squeal of pigs
nearly destroyed Washington"
A Conflict of Interests.
"Your interesting recital reminds me of
something Mr.. Crosby s. Noyes told me re-
Gently" said another of the party, when Mr.
Willard had concluded. 1--WE were talking
over the pecullar1tleS OF old Washington,
and he mentioned this same matter of the
pigs, cows, goats and geese running at large,
giving an excellent Illustration of how the
city government stood in relation to it. He
said that on one occasion a numerously
signed petition was received from citizens
of the third ward, praying the city council
to investigate and prevent the free and I'M
rebuked pasturng of domestic animals in
city front yards and streets. The document
was referred to the chief of police and never
afterward heard of. few days afterward,
said Mr. Noyes another larger petition was
received from the citizens of another ward,
praying that the council would let the hogs,
COWS geese and goats alone. 1t is hard to