The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-08-31

eating the dead ones. They are sent TO
the commission houses, where they are
separated. the live ones being sold 10
the consumer, who eats them IN that fe-
xerish. diseased condition.
Couldn't this be one Of the sources OF
typhoid fever, and kindred diseases2
Dogs, pigs, calves, etc, come in the
same way. They are penned up IN
tight boxes, without sufficient room TO lie
down. no water. no comfort whatever.
Poor things! If they could speak, 1 have
no doubt they would meekly say: Here
I am; I was put here; 1 can't help my
self; 1 am a dumb beast, and have to
take the consequences, live or die
Cows and calves brought in for sale
stand on the street, the poor calves, like
hungry children begging to nurse their
mothers. No calf, you can't have It.
That COW must show the prospective
purchaser Just how fine a mixer she is,
no matter how much she or the calf eth
er suffers.
The condition Of horses and mules is
truly pitiful, and especially those at the
union passenger station, on Twentieth
street, the various places where grading
is being done, around the city, the coal,
dirt and brick haulers, and the stock
used by the city garbage wagons. TheNe
animals are not able TO do the work. in
many instances, and their welted Sides
plainly tell of the cruel Iasn most cruelty
applied Dray drivers sit back on the
rear end Of their wagons, armed with
lorg whips These whips they swing
around their heads a few times and then
with a dreadful undercut deal the ami
mails blows under the flank with almost
force enough to lift them from the
ground. If one of these poor creatures
could, like BALKAN. of old, become en-
dowed with speech, he might well say
''You nave me; l am at your mercy; I
am a dumb beast; l must deserve this,
or the good Lord would not place me at
the mercy of the human race. But he
certainly ought to give me protection
try to be a Christian,I try to do my
work, or try to do all l can. II don't
do the work placed on me l am whipped
and beaten; l go to the extent Of my
strength. Please give me protection.
am often thirsty, but l do not see any
watering trough to go to. cannot help
myself for 1 am but a dumb beast"
Now with all the pleadings from the
poor dumb animals, in the name of God
and of humanity, isn't it our duty to
protect them? Birmingham is a city,
and no longer a country town. New Or
leans, Memphis and other cities have
very stringent humane 1aws-not only
are poor, needy people and abused chill
well. Why can't we do as well as these
other cities7
We should have a we'll organized and
active society for the prevention of cru
city to animals. A special officer should
be appointed, clothed with all the powers
of a policeman. He should be a man of
discretion and good Judgment, and under
direct control of the chief of police OF
the city, and should make the rounds of
the city looking after vioIators of the
already established laws of the state and
the city. These laws are good ones, If
properly enforced, and the only way to
accomplish the object is to have the
proper officer specially charged with the
duty. BY placing this officer under the
chief of police who will see that Offend
ers are brought before the honorable
Judge Feagan, believe great good can
be accomplished. Judge Feagan admin
listers the law with fearlessness and i'm
Partially, and is the friend of dumb ami
beings.
1 invite the especial attention Of the
ministers of Birmingham to the impor-
tant question, and ask them to speak Of
1t favorably in a Christian way.
In conclusion further suggest ana rec
ommend that the ladies of the city be
given exclusive control of the humane
society here. They are more observant
and sympathetic than most men, and
more energetic in showing and demand
ing mercy for man or beast. / am ready
at any time to assist the good cause
either financially or eDy other way, and
sincerely hope it will not be long until
Birmingham society for the prevention
of cruelty to animals will be a shining
example for every southern CITY,"