The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1901-07-24

The animals could not travel more
than certain distance each day with
out definite injury, which would prob
ably be visible TO the prospective pur-
chaser " hen they arriv at their des-
tination. 1t was TO the interests of the
drover, therefore, to be very careful.
With the advent Of cattle trains it
became possible to transport all sorts
Of live stock round the world, il neces-
sary, in LET'S time then it used to take
to cross State. The railway takes
the Texas steer and lands him in Chi
cago in a space Of time which must
eeem to his bewildered brain an eter-
nifty, but is really but few days. His
treatment en- route cannot well be so
cruel as to deprecia,e bis ultimate
value in any way which the purchaser
can see; moreover, in such cases the
purchaser often buys on faith, and pays
without seeing. So long as most OF the
cattle get through all right, if few die
OF neglect, or lack of water, cr some
other cause, the sellers reputation is
good. The property interest cannot be
relied upon in this matter of proper
treatment of dependents. 1t was esti-
mated in the old days of slave-tradlng
that if half the cargo got through the
dreaded Middle Passage alive there
was profit. The property interest
was no safeguard there. 1t never pro-
protected any creature which could be
ill-treated by thoughtless or cruel
person. 1t is one of the characteristics
of the callous and cruel man, as a rule,
to be short-sighted. He seldom sees
that in the long run humane treat
ment is profitable.
In this case the trader and the rail-
road man do not suffer much even
when their treatment Of cattle is abso-
lutely cruel. 1t is the public which
suffers, and it is the public which will
therefore have to take the matter in
hand. There is great difference in
the systems of various railroads and
dealers in their treatment of cattle
and sheep, and some are much more
humane than others. Blu it is not so
very long since sheep were packed ike
sardines in close cars, without a drop
of water during long Journeys, in the
hottest of weather; aud cattle were
subjected to the same treatment.
Such conditions bre, fifth and dis
ease; and diseb sed meat is not safe for
anytodv to eat. 1t will probably new
er be possible Co ascertain the number
of deaths which have resulted from
the eating of impure or diseased meat,
and for every death from this cause
there are many victims OF disease.
Sometimes the ailment is obscure and
insiduous, but it is nevertheless there
Some time 20 there was scare about
trichip@ which resulted in many peo
pie becoming Jews or M Ihsmmedans
where pork was concerned, but much
of the beef which comes from cattle
trains where the animals are packed
together in filth, discomfort and thirst
is not bit more ht for human con
sumption thau measly pork. In these
days no man can tell where his butcher
gets the meat which is coufdingly
bought and eaten by his customers. 1t
is time that the treatment of cattle, or
trains of transportation and in sheds
during the time before they are
killed, should be regulated by law, and
that everyone concerned in their trans
portalion and care should be required
to see that they are in conditions a
nearly healfhful as the difficulties O
the case allow.