New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-17
THE S. z. c. A.


yention of Cruelty 10 Animals have eliminated
IN a situation as astonishing as il is regrettable
From the newspaper reports OF the stormy
meeting held on Thursday afternoon, eApHclIiy
confirmed yesterday by responsible members Vi
the society. IL would appear that MI. halhes' Tue
official round whom the tempest rose, mas coih-
nleteIv lost sight of the relation borne py tue
s Z C A. TO the life of this city. III ne "ere
the president of a business corporation Win
the stockholders divided into two camps, de-
Tending or denouncing his administration, ne
might be expected 10 accuse some or his &C
cusers of selfish interests and TO fight for his
own hand to the last ditch. But ne is president
OF an institution whose ministratiOns are moth
ing if not disinterested. and his resolute oppo-
sition TO the overhaulng OF its AFFAIRS demanded
by members who have absolutely nothing 10
gain thereby for themselves would be FUNNY
if it were not, a matter Of fact disgusting
1t seems almost incredible that Mr.. Halnes
should nersist in a course of obstruction which
is not only condemned by the best public opln-
ion. but is certain in the long run 10 prove in
efectual The ultimate outcome of the reform
atorv campaign which is proceeding with so
much difficulty can scarcely be a matter OF
doubt.
T1s reason. is plain. When Henry Bergh EN-
barked upon his benefcent crusade he automat-
icaIly enlisted the sympathies of many more
than those who have actually become members
of the society which is his monument lie gave
q lasting impetus TO the development OF noble
idea he woke in countless minds a new con-
sciousness of what owe TO the dumb brutes
and of what we can do in their behalf Men and
women who have remained outside the mem
bership of the society have nevertheless been en-
couraged by the feeling that il meant organized
support behind them, TO come to the rescue OF
animals abused or accidentally subjected to
pain in the public highways. 1t WAS Tor many
wears as natural and nearly as common, for the
witness of some case of animal distress to appeal
10 the S P C. A as it is for the passerby who
discovers a fire TO turn in an alarm In THESE
circumstances il is. we repeat astonishing that
Mr. Haines should resent and oppose the move
ment now afoot: il represents the will Of every
right minded citizen. 1t is true that he has his
followers in and out of the society, but even the
warmest of these must see. if they exercise
their intelligence. that the real issue at stake
cannot permanently be obscured by vague talk
about evil reports and unfair criticism. or
by silly charges that the efforts 10 bring about
an investigation Of the society have had their
origin in THE evil tongue of woman. Evil
fiddleSticks, The trouble has flowed with the
sureness of the tides from the failure of Mr..
Haines and his friends 10 recognize that the
very Iifeblood OF such an institution the
=. L. =. a
ton bearing its validity on its face.
II is the principle of satisfying public interest
and securing public confidence in society rely
ing in the execution of a public task upon pub
lie support People not content 10 know
what Mr. Haines is doing in his official capacity.
They want to know what the society is doing as
a society and not as an instrument Of one man
power. Nobody is seeking with personal malice
TO discredit Mr.. Haines. Nobody can under
stand why. if he is ideal official, he should
not court the fullest inquiry into every detail
Of the matters under his charge. The reorgan-
ization Of the Red Cross was not undertaken
because any of those interested in it had any
hatred for Miss Barton 1t was simply that
common sense demanded the establishment Of a
great public institution on a basis of complete
freedom from the domination of any individual,
with a rigid observance Of business principles
and full publicity of accounts. This is all that
is asked by those who seeking 10 reform the
s. 2. {. A Mr.. Opdycie. one of the speakers in
favor of this policy at Thursdays meeting. made
these remarks:
There are all sorts Of charges made against
this SOciety-that the agents are incompetent.
that the finances are going astray etc 1, per
sonally. am Incompetent TO pass judgment on
these charges but I have been approached by
numerous people II. the last six weeks asking
for an explanation TO the internal troubles
in the society but have been unable TO give any
explanation. Now should like TO know some
thing about II.
Precisely. We should all like TO know some
thing about H. And we shall not know all that
we want to know. and have right 10 know,
until the management Of the society has been
thoroughly traversed by committee Indifferent
TO personal considerations. working in the full
light of publicity. The feelings Of Mr.. Haines
have no standing in this matter. II is prin-
cipIe that is at stake. The good faith of those
who are working for il cannot be challenged
and in their efforts 10 advan ? il they can count
we believe. upon the heartiest support of the