The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-06

The District Health Officer. Or. William
| c. Woodward, has submitted a reply to
| his critics in the Humane Society OF
| Washington. Dr.. Woodward, it will be
| recalled. recently formulated a report to
the District Commissioners recommending
adverse action on the Anti-Viyisection bill.
For this act Of official duty. and for his
| expression Of opinion contrary 10 the
| views entertained by members Of the
Humane Society. he was somewhat harshly
| criticised by the latter. In his reply to
! this criticism. which is addressed to the
Commissioners. Dr. Woodward says:
The Washington Humane Society pro-
| fesses to find in the suggestion Of the
Health officer that the authority conferred
by this bill 10 require reports Of work may
be utilized SO as 10 make eNpsrimenters
bear witness against themselves, an ad-
mission that wrong is being. or is likely TO
be. done in connection with experimental
ton. Ii hardly appears necessary TO point
out that the bill creates new offences, and
that IL provides no penalty for inilicting
cruelty upon animals, but only penalties
FOR the performance Of experiments. con
trary 10 certain arbitrary rules. which have
no basis either in morality or justice. The
statement that no. moral or statutory
wrong Is being done at the present time
has no bearing therefore. upon what may
be the case with reference &c statutory
misdcmeanors Il this bill is enacted.
1T is remarkable too, that the Wash
iurton Humane Society should assume that
evidence against a person is always con
elusive Of guilt II such were the case
there would never be a criminal prosecu-
ton In which there would not be a con-
Victiou. nor a civil suit in which the YER
dict would no; be awarded 10 thy plaintiff.
The opponents OF the bill were criu-
ciScd iu the report OF the Senate commit
tee because they objected to the provision
for the appointment Of free inspectors.
An Illustration was quoted in the report.
70 was not a fair enc. The position held
by the cashier Of 4 bank is in no way COM
parable 10 the position OF the ordinary sci
enlist The former deals with the property
o. other persons and exercises a semi
public function. The latter deals with
his own property and attends strictly TO
his own business. II is sought to explain
the failure Of the Washington Humane So
eiegy 20 bring 10 light during a quarter
% century any cruelty in connection with
experiments on animals by this statement
In The nature Of the case II is difficult,
If not inprarticable TO produce evidence
now OF atrocities committed by vivisectors
in the District Of Columbia. Ii usually is
difficult and impracticahle to find evidence !
Of things which do not exist.
In support OF the assertion that need !
less cruelty. if it result from experimental |
ton, cannot be prevented under existing I
law. the Washington Humane Society /
quotes from the appeal made by Mr.. r. |
Ross Perry to the Senate committee. Tn /
less some reason be made apparent for be-
lieving that Mr.. Perry departed in this in /
stance from his usually uninform accuracy /
Of diction, the statement quoted cannot
be construed 10 be anything more than an
avowal Of nesclence. 1t is certainly not
denial Of the existence of such a law either
here OF elsewhere. There is an apparent !
effort, too. TO exaggerate the force Of this
statement by emphasizing the legal attain
ments Of the gentleman who made It, but
Mr. Perry himself stated TO the Senate
committee, 10 which his appeal was ad
dressed. that he did not speak in his pro-
'essional capacity.
1T is attempted further TO support the
contention as to the insufficiency of exist
ne laws by stating that certain prominent
itizens, Of more or less eminence in the
egal profession. have petitioned for the
nactment OF the bill now under considera-
ion. ! have carefully examined the report
u the Senate committee which contains
he names OF the citizens referred to. &c
earn. If possible the date and form Of this
lleged petition. but while it is exceedingly
ull in most particulars. for some in
crutable reason the details Of the petition
10 not appear. II is respectfully submitted, !
however. that such a petition can have nc
weight unless its signers were acquainted
With existing law relative to experimental
ion on animals with existing conditions
lot remediabIe by such law, and with the
etails Of the proposed legislation. and no
where does IL appear from the record that
iuch was the case. The refusal Of signers
o withdraw their signatures at the re-
Iuest OF the opponents of the bill cannot /
be construed TO indicate their
strength Of conviction any more, If as
much as il can be accepted as an indica-
ion OF their pride Of opinion.
"A further effort is made TO show the
need for legislation by pointing out a sup
posed analogy between experimentation and
he operation Of docking horses tails. In
act. however. no such analogy exists. The
aw for the prevention Of cruelty TO ami
mails enacted August O. 1871 and now In
.orce. contains specific provisions as 10 how
and under what conditions experiments
may be performed il contains none rela-
tive 20 surgical operations for CONNER
nal or esthetic purposes. Even, there
fore, though It may have been necessary
10 lcgislate specially TO prevent docking,
il does not follow that special legislation
Is necessary TO prevent needless cruelty to
animals il connection with experimental
ion
The Washington Humane Society closes
It's communication with a kind offer to give
consideration TO any constructive
amendments which the Commissioners may
suggest. Disregarding. however, the fact
hat this bill does not appear to be before
hat organization for consideration at the
present time, ! would respectfully suggest
hat il is desirable 10 demonstrate the ex-
stence, extent. and character OF the condi-
ions which Il is proposed TO correct by this
egislation, and the insufiiciency Of existing
aw, before the pending measure can be in
considered with reference to
amendment"
Fined for Stealing Conf.