Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-08-28
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE
Mr.. Higbee of har.otte Has Something
to Say Reg riding Tuberculosis.
10 tho Editor of the Free Press:

Some of the best lawyers in the state
question, if they do not absolutely uen9'
the constitutonality of the la" uiutr
which the cattle commission nave peen
stamping out" tuberculosis. Its eAtiaof-
binary character the taking of private
property at half value, giving the cattle
owner no voice as to the diseased cohdi-
ton of his herd giving the cattle owner
no right of appeal-allowlng the Quaiah'i'-
ing of entire diaries because tue coHills-
sion are of the opinion" that the cattle
are diseas ed-the practical results OF whose
provisions. are demonstrated by the board
of agriculture, have appalled, the owners OF
the S. 600 600 worth of cows in Vermont
This magnificent industry Will ask the
next LEGISLATURE to recognize its rights to
proper protection under the law Inc IL,
600 dairy farmers of Vermont protest
against being immolded upon TINS allar Oh
the "Publics Health.
The cattle commission of New Hampshire
depend very largely upon the physical APP
pearance of the cattle in deciding AS 10 the
presence of disease They do not employ
the tuberculin test unless the animal pre-
sents physical indications OF disease ms
may not be scientific but 1t comes
mighty near being common sense.
Public good, in its proper sense embraces
the rights of all, ii means Justice 10 all
it is not public good to accuse an entlre
industry of being menace to health ana
without giving that industry "A right to he
heard a fair trial, before passing upon
| its guilt The commission of New ilamp-
shire evidently have not been carried off
| their feet by public clamor or the resolu-
tions of boards" For the year 1899 and
1900 their total outlay for 1872 head of cattle
killed and expenses of the commission, was
about s12. 600. From July LIST, 1900, to June
3Oth 1901, the Vermont commission paid
out for ga cattle killed and expenses of
the board about $4,000.
| am asked what l consider the motives
Of the State Board of Health in adopting
their resolutions relative to tuberculosis"
| 1t is not motives" but results, that
concern us most. Why did not the State
Board of Health before adopting them
resolutions sustaining the present cattle
| killing law-and of course the method of
killing. -give the magnificent dairy interest
of the State of Vermont chance to be
! heard. After the presentation of learned
| papers requiring an hours time-after the
members of the State Board of Agriculture
| had stamped OUT tuberculosis amidst
| the thunders of scientific applause, the
| president extended an opportunity to TASK
questions or offer suggestions" but it was
to be in five minute" doses-an exceeding.
ly homeopathic arrangement it would see m
for an old school board. If it is deemed
necessary to retain the cattle killing foa
lures Of the law, l wish to submit certain
|
officers, the cattle commissioners, the tax
| payers of the State.
First Cattle owners should have the
same rights as the State to expert opin,
ion of their own selection in the inspection
and testing Of cattle; both before and r.
ter killing II the inspectors do not agree
that the animal is diseased the owner shall
be paid in full in case of killing.
Second. The physical condition Of thu
animal shall be taken into consideration
and shall govern largely as to presence o.
disease.
/ Third. Unless cattle shows physical indi
cations Of a diseased condition. the tuper
culin test shall not be employed withou
the owners consent.
Fourth. Unless cattle give physical in
dications of disease to the satisfaction O
, the State board and the inspector selected
by the owner Of the herd-the board Of ag
riculture shall not have the power OF de
claring n quarantine, and in case Quaran
tine is declared, 1t shall include only sucl
cattle as present there physical indications
Of disease.
Fifth. Unless physical examination O