Evening star., 1897-01-25
DISTRICT IN CONGRESS
The Anti-Vivisection Bill Again Before the
Senate Committee.
Friends and Opponents of the Meas
Matters of Local Interest.

The fact that the bill for the prevention
of cruelty to animals in the District of Co.
lumbia, known the anti-vivisection bill,
was reached on the calendar of the Senate
Saturday. and is likely to be called up al
most any time, has stirred up those in ia
vor of the measure. well those
against it. Senator Cockrell this morning.
by request of George NJ. Starnberg, sur
gaon general of the army. secured order
for the printing a public document of a
second memorial from medical. scientific
and educational institutions of the District
and throughout the country, protesting
agar st the passage Of the bill. Included in
these resolutions, stated, are protests
from the medical societies of New York.
Maine, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and nearly
every state In the Cnion together with a
resolution from Dr. S. G. Busey and 9TH
ers of the Medical Association of the Dis
trict of Columbia. The document of DIR.
Brsey refers to the memorial of the Amer
icaE Humane Association, which asks ia
Vorahle consideration for the bill on the
ground that it viii tend Ito prevent repeti-
ton OF such revolving and heartlcss cruel
ties have occurred in the past in certain
laboratories of the District of Columbia"
Dr. Busey aud his co-signers take the po-
sition that restrictive legislation is un-
necessary, and say that II Is opposed to
thu progress of medical science. besides be
ing an unjust reflection on the humanity
of those engaged in experimentation. All
the resolutions on this subject Were adopted
during the past year, and are of no fresn
interest. In his communication to Senator
Cockreil requesting the printing of these
documents. Surgeon Gen. Sternberg saws
that all the letters received by Senator Gl al
linger in favor of the passage of the bill
have been printed. He concludes by say
ing that the resolutions presented show
that The voice of science is undoubtedly
opposed to restrictive legislation
Ser ator Cullom presented on the Other
side q mmunicaton from A. S. Pratt in
behalf of the Humane Society of the Dis
trct in favor of the passage of the bill.
Mr.. Pratt says that the bill is not anti
vvisecton measure. but provides that the
| experiments shall lac performed by prop
| crly qualified persons. 1t says that the So
| ciety will point out that in the name of
| science acts of the most revolving cruelty
and barharity are perpetrated. We know
| cruel vivisectio,i has been done in the Dis
| trict of Columbia. it says, though to
what extent cannot know. owing 10 the
secrecy with which they are surrounded.
Favor the Morse bill.
f. II. Harner AMI seventy-eight other
| n emhers OF Independent Lodge. No. il,
| Good Templars. petitioned the Senate in
| favor of the Morse bin.
| To Cross the Aqucduct Bridge.
Walter Maben, A. r. Jacobs and other
! Virginia men petitioned the Senate tnat
! authority be granted the Washington, Ar
| lington and Falls Church railway to widen
| the Aquedrct bridge SO as to extend sin
, gle track for electric street car across
| the bridge to the new union station at seth
and NJ streets in Georgetown.
To Regulate Sale of POisOns.
| Senator Gallinger had resolution adopt
| ed in the Senate today for the printing
| of 100 copies of the bill regulating the
| sale of poisons in the District and 800
| copies of the report of the medical as
| sociation which accompanies the bill. Mr..
| Gallnger said that there good deal
of interest in the measure and large
, demand for copies OF the bill.
Notes.
| Senator Gear has introduced in the Ser
ate House bill 1923, for the selling of a
| plat of public ground in the city for a
| memorial hall under the auspices of the
| Daughters of the American Revolution.
House bill 10Hs6, to Incorporate the Grand
| Lodge of the Order of the Sons of Her.
, mann. has also been introduced in the Sen
ate.
| The Senate bill providing for the appoint
| n ent by the Commissioners of trustees cf
| the Industrial Home School has been In
definitely postponed because ii is in the ap-
| preparation hill.
Senate bill 3li4, providing for the adjust
ment and payment of certain claims
against the District. has also been indeti-
nitely postponed because the House bill on
the same subject had passed the Senate.