The San Francisco call., 1897-01-21
Sentiment for Making the Dock
ing of Horses Tails a
Felony.
The Convention Disapproved of Con.
solidating Children's and
Animals Societies.

cred the address of welcome.
G. r. Holbrook, president of the San
Francisco Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals, was elected president.
There were present: G. R. Holbrook,
Frank B. Gibson and Martin J. Stevens,
of the San Francisco Animal Society; Mrs.
David B. Wilmington of the Children
and Animal societies of Sa n Diego, Will
liam Harvey of the Fresno society, Sen.
ator Boyce of the Santa Barbara Animal
Society, Mrs. Lydia A. Prescott of
Oakland, of the California Society
for the Prevention OF Cruelty to
Children; B. R. Banning of the
Oakland Animal Society, Mrs. Jennie
T. Loomis of the San Joaquin societies,
Mrs. f. r. Shafter of the San Jose socie-
ties, George II. Smith, J. A. Woodson, r.
NJ. Clarken. Isador Schad, W. D. Law
ton, Dan Miller, J. w. Beebe and
wife, b. T. Trefy, of the Sacramento
societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals, and Mrs. Tufts, Mrs. Felter,
Mrs. Parsons, Mrs. George Smith, Mrs.
Ferris. Mrs. G. r. Smith, Mrs. Hubbard,
Mrs. Cushman and Messrs. Simon and
Erlewine, of the Sacramento Society for
the Prevention of Cruelty to Children;
Rev. Mr.. Daniels, Adiutant-General Bar
rett and Marsden Manson.
Mr.. Gibson of San Francisco stated that
the purpose of the convention was for con-
certing measures for forwarding the aims
of the society, and that he had prepared
! bill to be presented TO the Legislature,
and understood that others present had
measures to present, and moved that
committee be appointed by the president
and secretary to compare the various
I bsa
| presented to the Legislature. The follow
ing were selected for that purpose: Messrs.
Gibson, Woodson, Clarken. Loomis, Hol-
brook, Shafter, Boyce, George Smith,
Simons, Senator Prescott, Mrs. Withing-
ton and Mrs. Banning.
Smith of Sacramento was in favor OF
consolidating the societies for the preven-
prevention of cruelty to children, and also
| TO effect State organization.
The idea OF consolidation, however, did
not meet with the approval of the
majority, and the idea was abandoned.
In speaking OF the subject Mrs. Preston
! OF Oakland said that the Identification of
chiIdren's work with the cruelty to ami
mai society had been a total failure in
Eastern cities. She also said tha. in Oak
land the fact that the secretary of the
childrens society was also Poundmaster
reflected badly upon the society itself.
Mr.. Woodson called attention to that
section of law allowing liquor to be sold to
children with the consent OF the parents,
and it was agreed to endeavor to have the
section repealed and have one introduced
instead making it misdemeanor for
parent to take child into saloon or
place where liquor is sold
Mr.. Woodson then stated that $1,000 is
needed TO prosecute the work of the Hu-
name Society. He also said that the Sac
ramento society had done what no other
society in the State has done, and that
was to send procuress to the State prison.
Ad djutant-General Barrett appeared and
said he had been requested by the Gov
ernor TO attend the meeting and extend
! the executives regrets that he was unable
! to attend, and also that be would do all in
his power to forward the aims of the So
| ciety.
Woodson claimed that scheme was on
| foot to have the law prohibiting rat and
do fights repealed during the latter part
OF the legislative session and suggested
that measures be taken 10 defeat this
action. He also thought it advisable to
present as few bills as possible as they
would pass more readily. Considerable
discussion arose on the subject OF for
FIXTURES, and Gibson of San Francisco said
that while the law gave to the society the
| fines, it did not include the forfeitures, and
that violators took advantage OF this In
! order TO defeat the society.
| He was not favor of too many bills be-
ing brought to the attention of the Legis-
| lature, but was in favor of having this
matter of forfeitures being given 10 the
society made one OF the few. Numerous
other matters were discussed and the con-
vention adjurned until evening in order to
allow the committee on laws to make its
report. On reconvening the report was
| ubm tilted.
ThoE Ers4 4olo ckoh o,,1
| officers to make arrests, they heretofore
having only been empowered TO so do.
! Section 16, relating TO old, manned and
diseased animals. allowing them to be
killed by officers, or taken care of at the
expense OF their owners, is to be amended
! by striking ont the words 'old, MANNED
and diseased" leaving the word ''ani-
mails
This was done in order to cover similar
cases to that of White Hat" McCarty,
who, it was stated, refused to care for
horses which were starving to death.
A clause was recommended empowering
officers TO break into barns in order to
succor distressed animals, a clause giving
| all forfeitures as we'll as fines to the So
ciety and one allowing Boards OF Super
visors to set aside sum not to exceed
| 500 per month for the. benefit of the So
ciety. Mr.. Clarken of Sacramento said
the last amend ment was the bill passed
Dy the laSC Legislature anu WnlCn the GOV-
ernor forgot TO sign.
Also clause making it misdemeanor
to dock a horses TAIL Attorney Beckwith
of Sacramento was in favor of making it a
felony, as he said it was only the rich who
curtailed their animals fly brush, and
fine would perhaps have but few terrors
for many.
The next amendment was sat on de-
cidedly. 1t was to compel any one to kill
an aged or inirm animal at the option of
any officers demand.
Mrs. Preston of Oakland thought this
! measure too arbitrary. There are many
people, she said, who are willing to pro-
vide for aged household pets and otner
animals for the good they have done in
the past, and should any officer have
grudge against any one he could, under
the provisions of this amendment, order
the death of perhaps valued favorite on
slight pretense.
The amendments for the children IS So
ciety were then presented, providing for
appointment of badge officers, and giving
them authority to make arrests and call
Tor help as other officers do. Carried.
An amendment not allowing minor
childran in saloons even when accom-
panied by their parents was also consid-
cred with favor.
A new committee of five consis.ino of