The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-04-06
dsviied BY him have been practically
useful and. when they have been adopt
ed, render the condition Of the sheep fair.
ly comfortable.
The question OF the
PULLING MATCHES AT AGRICUL.
rURAL FAIRS

- 11A%to AafA OtAA@o N ~ 49, -
rURAL FAIRS
has demanded and received attention
from year TO year; and We have super
vised the matter, through our agents, as
far as our means would permit The
managers OF the fairs and the mora hui
man class Of farmers have very general
ly co-operatrd with our agents: but there
Is n considerable element of the rural
population to whom any contest involv'
ing the PAIL Of living creatures, whether
1t be prize fight. dog tight COCK
fight, or pulling match. seems very at
tractive. The spectacle Is abhorrent to
right-minded men, of fine pair of oxen
attached to dray piled up with stone to
q weight at least twice a fair load, and
then goaded with brads from half to
three quarters Of an inch In length; and
excited by loud and profane cries until
frantic with fright and pain, they move
the mass by desperate struggle few
feet, only to stop, painting, until worked
into another frenzy by the same violent
means. The effect of this scene upon
the spectators, especially on the buys who
always congresats at any point Of excite.
ment, is anything but good. 1t is GER
tainly Ill training for the rising genera
ton to be made familiar with such acts
of coarse violsncs and brutality. To call
this competition to show tho compare.
tive good qualities of draft animals is a
mere travesty OF words. One would
think that the farmers OF Maine would
prefer competition in which the train g.
would be shown when, attached to load
Of = kind to which they are accustomed
in actual service. Such test would be
a fair trial between the cattle, on their
merits; but merely as at present to try
which pair can be tortured and scared
into making the most frsnzied effort is
a foolishness worthy of the dark ages.
The general laws against cruelty of course
enable us to prosecute the parties en-
gagged In such performances, but as our
primary purpose Is to prevent rather than
to punish cruelties. we sought for legis-
lation forbidding these contests. Our at
torney, MIR. Chapman, and our agent,
Mr.. Perry, together with Mr.. Snow the
president of the Bangor Humane Socie.
ty, appeared before the legislative COM
mittee and described the scenes which
they had witnessed at such contests and
the difficulties they had found in pre-
venting oruelties.
THEY wEKE NET THERE By MIR.
McKEEN,
the secretary of the Maine Board of Agri-
spicuous of late In the state by reason of
criticism in the legislature upon some
of his peculiar methods of promoting
agricultural interests. He had brought
with him SO many Of the farmer mem
hers as he had been able to influence. and
ton which We desired, although none
of them vera able to contradict the allie.
cations of the gentlemen who appeared
for the bill. 1t is an unfortunate result,
as it will compel us to institute series
Of prosecutions against the perpetrators
of these cruelties, making large and
expense and labor to us and
n considerable cost to the counties for
courts, officers and juries. We hope for
better luck with another Legislature,
when the humane sentiment among the
farmers shall have become somewhat de-
veloped.
The transportation of large amount
Of live stock through our state for ship
ment to Europe has for years been a sub
ject Of our care and attention. We have
from time to time had some differences
Of opinion with the Grand Trunk rail
way, which brings the stock from the
West, in regard to the care Of the ami.
understanding has been reached aud that
the railway is now working In harmony
with the laws of Maine and the require
ments of our society. The yards at East
Deering are in excellent condition and
we have had no occasion during the year
to find fault with the handling of the
animals at this point. The construction.
loading and movement of the cars have
become satisfactory, and during the past
winter have been conducted under an
order of the management.
The order is then quoted with COM
The shipment Of the cattle ON board
the ocean steamers has been as hereto
fore, under the direction of DIR. Hunting
ton, which is in itself guarantee that
1t has been we'll and humanely conducted.
The gathering and shipment by the
u aine Central and Boston 81 Maine rail
roads of cattle to be taken out OF the
state has been a subject OF our constant
Incompetence or careless
ness of those loadirg the oarsl has re-
luired our interference on several ocoa-
;ions. But representations on our part
10 President Wilson and General Mana.
ger Evans have secured prompt action
BY them In the modification of the cars
Used and In instructions to their subor-
iinates, which have practically obviated
,he difficulties. We wish particularly to
make the acknowledgements of our so.
'iety to these gentlemen. as well Us to the
manager of the Grand Trunk railway