The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-07
SYMPATHY AROUSED FOR
 OUR SUFFERINP ANIMALS

recent article in the woman's de- pertinent of the Age-Herald urging the need of a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals has met with much favorable comment. which indicates that a degree of sympathy has at least been aroused for the sufferings of dumb crea- lures. It also tends to emphasize that human sympathy and kindness are quail ities that bloom as a beautiful flower and that where apparent indifference seems to exist, it Is not always due to lack of sympathy.
 The immediate need of a humane so- ciety is conceded by every one with the quality of mercy in his breast. and yet the organization of such society seems still to be left to the indefinite future
 There Is yet no tangible assurance that the organization will be effected. The favorable aspects point only to the feet that there are many persons whc re- cognize that every humane law is daily being violated in Birmingham and that something should be done for the pro. tection of maimed animals that are at the mercy of brutal drivers.
 A city as large as Birmingham should provide from its treasury adequate funds for an inspector who, with the cooper ation from the public, would succeed In abolishing the present system of neglect and cruelty. A series of arrests and heavy fines would be an effectual rtm- edy where remonstrances might fail and a rebuke that found expression in dollars and cents would not be repeat edly ignored.
 In commenting upon the Age Heralds appeal a writer in the Birmingham News points out that in nc city is there greater need for such an organization than in Birmingham, and strongly ad- vocates the movement looking to the forming of a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals.
 There are few cities the size of Bir- mingham in the country where the horse and the mule are so largely employed in business" says the writer. Especially is the number large in the handling of heavy materials, for Birmingham does tremendous business in heavy stuff, such as coal and iron, machinery, heavy groceries, mill supplies anI the like. I have seen horses and mules very badly treated by brutal drivers from time to time in this city, and there ought to be some means of protecting the poor dumb brutes from cruel treatment resulting from bad tempers on the part of dray- men and others. have often seen ani- mals that were totally unfit to be work ed badly overburdened with almost dou- ble loads. The smaller animals, too, like dogs and cats, have no means of pro- lection Atlanta, Norfolk, Richmond and other cities which have such societies under police protection and aid are doing much to alleviate the sufferings of mal- treated dumb brutes, and Birmingham, too, ought to have one. It is as badly needed here as in any city I know of. If you have witnessed some of the scenes have in which brutal driver hammers his horse over the head and face with club without the least provocation you would a-ree with me. It Is not uncom- mon to see horses with their backs per- fectly raw and their sides bleeding bad ly treated by drivers with unruly tenn pers. It ought to be stopped. and a so- ciety for the prevention of cruelty to an- finals with a faithful agent backed up suffering dumb brutes here."