Arizona weekly citizen., 1896-05-02
THE SWINE PLAGUE.
In the Salt River Valley.-An Inter-
view With Hon. Colin Cameron.
Chairman of the Live Stock
Commission.

A CITIZEN reporter saw Colin Gamer
on at the depot, and in an interview to
questions asked in regard to the swine
plague outbreak in the Salt River valley,
the following information was elected:
see it stated that Doctor Richmond
urged the owners of the infected swine
to quarantine them, and they refused,
Is that correct?
1t is very incorrect. DR.. Richmond
did not know the sickness was contagi-
Gus. Instead of urging a quarantine he
told the owners that there WAS nothing
the matter With their hogs. As long
ago as January l6, 1896, he reported to
the commission then in session 10 Phoe-
nix that the trouble was neither swine
plague nor hog cholera.
Immediately upon receipt of this re-
port the commission being then satisfied
that DIR. Richmond was entirely mistak-
en-, prepared and submitted q
statement to Governor Hughes, sskiu g
for DR.. Richmond's removal, because of
the fact that the commission had lost all
confidence in him by reason of his shown
lack Of judgment and knowledge.
The commission asked for the appoint
meDt OF veterinarian of ability, con-
science and integrity.
January 81 DR.. Richmond submitted
a written report to the Glendale Stock
association, saying that "of course there
had.been some very irritating gu bstaD &c
taken into the stomach at one time, or a
less irritating substance taken into the
stomach for longer time" In the same
report he called the disease gastritis.
March q in labored report to the
same association be Gays it is only
pneumonis and to each owner be visited
ne not only did not suggest but advised
against quarantine, just as ne did to
the commission. want to cay distinctly
that whenever the sanitary commission
has desired to quarantine either directly
or through the veterinarian the stock
men have in every instance without
exception, given us willing assistance
and the statement in the Star to the
contrary is gratuitous insult to the
intelligence of the unfortunate owners
of the diseased hogs, who are now eutfer-
ing great loss by reason of the woree
than ignorance OF the man then
the territorial veterinarian.
Is Governor Franklin satisfied with
Dr. Richmond's Efforts to suppress the
swine plsgue?-He did not express any
opinion in regard to DR.. Richmond's
management or Encouragement OF the
swine plague outbreak 10 the Salt River
Valley.
Did he approve of your boards action
in employing Professor Devol to be
acting territorial veterinarian to take
control of the quarantine? He did ap-
prove OF it inquiring only If We knew DIR.
Devol TO be q man of ability and ipteG-
rity; and speaking to this same subject
he further said: "Your board does not
want, the territory does not want and
will not have an uneducated and
incompetent man to tie your
veterinary advisor, / would not
have such a man under any circum-
stances, much less, when your board is
by law entrusted with and made res
ponsible to the people for dilligent
watchfulness over the health of the
live stock OF this territory"
Have you resigned as live stock eani-
tary commissioner?
/ tried to do so but Governor Frank
lin would net let me. He was very COM
plimentsry to me aud greatly appreciate
IT, IlG sdiO w NV yON W
tender your resignation. l will not &C.
cept it. l want you on the sanitary
board. / will insist on you remaining
there. [ have need and uss for you.
The stockmen of this territory desire
me to retain your services. L have stud
led the subject. / have looked iuto it
carefully, as it is BETTING | should, and
and having a true conception OF the
magnitude of the stock Industry, l am
not going to do anything to injure it;
instead, by every means in my power
am going to foster and protect this great
inGustry-the same as / will every other
in the territory-and l want you to as-
siet me. | intend that this territory
shall have sanitary board the peer of
of any in sister states"
When you saw Governor Frank
lin. How did be impress you?
AS man who will administer the al
fairs of this territory for the public good
as a strong msn who will himself be
governor-as one who will not allow any
man to inject into his administration
their private or individual hates, az one
who believes that much of the welfare
of the territory depends upon putting
in all positions OF trust men OF integrity
and character: in short, [ believe that
all good citizens will approve what ne
does, and accord him bonest support.