Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1901-07-28
The Transportation Of Cattle.

Le pIOUlem VI IHe transportation
tation of cattle is, like many other
questions connected with the treat
ment of dumb animals, essentially a
modern question. In times when each
country must feed it's own, and the
only way of getting cattle or sheep
or horses from one place to another
was to drive them in herds, under the
care of droyer, the problem was in
ono way simple. The animals could
not travel more than a certain dis
tance each day without definite in
jury, which would probably be visible
to the prospective purchaser when
they arrived at their destination. 1t
was therefore to the interests of the
drover to be very careful.
With the advent of cattle-trains,
however, it became possible to trans
port all sorts of live stock round the
world, if necessary, in less time than
it used to take to cross a state. The
railway takes the Texas steer and
lands him in Chicago in space of
time which must seem to his bewild-
cred brain an eternity, but is really
but few days. His treatment en-
route cannot well be so cruel as to de-
preciate his 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 an right, II a few die OF
neglect, or lack of water, or some 9TH
er cause, the sellers reputation is
good. The property interests cannot
be relied upon in this matter of prop
er treatment of dependents. 1t was
estimated in the old days of slave
trading that if half the cargo got
through the dreaded Middle Passage
alive there was a profit. The proper
ty interest was no safeguard there. 1t
never protected any creature which
could be ill-treated by a thoughtless
or cruel person with no immediate
punishment
1t is q, 'f the characteristics OF
the callouss 4 cruel man, as a rule
to be short-sfa tied. He seldom sees
that in the lont 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 alb
solutely cruel. 1t is the public which
suffers, and it is the public which will
therefore have to take the matter il
hand. There is great difference in
the systems of various railroads ant
dealers in their treatment Of cattle
and sheep, and some are much more
humane than others. But it is not sc
very long since sheep were packed
like sardines in close cars, without 8
drop of water during long Journeys
in the hottest of weather; and cattle
we're subjected to the same, treatment
Such conditions breed filth and dis,
ease; and diseased meat is not safe
for anybody to eat. 1t will probably
never be possible to ascertain the
number of deaths Ehich have result
ed from the eating Of impure or dis
eased meat, and for every death from
this cause there are many victims o.
| disease. Sometimes the ailment il
| obscure and insidious, but it is never
the less there. Some time ago there
was scare about trichinae which re-
suited in many people becoming Jews
or Mohammedans where pork was
concerned, but much of the bee
which comes from trains where the
animals are packed together in filth
discomfort and thirst is not a BIZ
more fit for human consumption thar
measley pork, In these days no mar
can tell where his butcher gets the
meat which is confdingly bought ant
eaten by his customers. 1t may b'
| good or it may not. 1t is time tha'
the treatment of cattle, on trains o
transportation and in sheds, during
the time before they arehlled, shoult
be regulated by law, and that every
person concerned in their transporta
tion and care should be required t.
see that they arc in conditions al
the case allow.