New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-10
4 SQUARE DEAL FOR THE ANIMALS.


1t is perhaps time for commentators on pub
lie affairs to revise their figures OF speech.
They used to talk about waves Of reform
and by this ii was we'll understood that they
were talking Of something which advanced only
IN due course to recede. II begins to look
now as though our reformatory movement were
endowed with something like lasting vitality.
America is putting her house In order with a
vengeance. She has been at the task Tor a
considerable period and shows no sign OF wearl-
ness. There is something particularly encour-
aging about the success Of the latest campaign
of reformatory nature undertaken IN TINS CITY,
the one aimed at a reorganization OF tne so
ciety for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
II looked some months ago as If President
Haines and his followers occupied an lmpreg-
nable position, as If nothing could persuade
them to submit to the entirely disinterested
oyerhauling of the socetys affairs which was
advocated by large number OF the members.
At the meeting of last January, which was
characterized by much bitter debate, the
plans for reform appeared TO be further than
ever from fulfment But the very obstnacy
of the opposition on that occasion served only
10 intensity the ardor of the reformers, ana
their appeals 10 public opinion were so effec-
tive that at the meeting reported In yesterdays
papers they were enabled to achieve the first
suhstantial step toward the settlement of the
whole question involved. President Haines re-
signed.
He took the right and the inevitable step. 1t
is true that he himself believes be has been
the object of malicious assaults" In the long
document embOdying his resignation ne says:
"I have been assailed. as though / had COM
United some ect of wickedness, by small but
persistent band of people, with this one COM
mon characteristic that none of them has ever
before been known TO care for animal pro-
lection" For the benefit Of those who have
not kept track Of all the details of this con-
troversy, we may point out that no one con-
cerned in the reformatory movement has con-
sidered Mr. Haines a wicked man: that the
complaint against him has simply been against
his methods of administration. The prestige or
the society has been lowered in the first place
by it's failure TO prove that 1t Is always prompt
and thorough in the execution of its duties. and
secondly by its failure to give the fullest pub
licity 10 its affairs. 1t has been in receipt OF
public money well as Of private benefactions
and, as the reformers have shown, the DISPOSE
ton Of these has not been made plain for all
men to see Honesty or dishonesty apart, the
transactions of such an institution should be
regularly and completely laid before the pub
lie and officials opposing such course, though
they may be models Of integrity, are bound
sooner or later TO reach the end OF their use
fulness. The reformers accused Mr.. Haines of
no crime All they asked him to do was TO
adopt the administrative policy obviously es-
sential 10 keeping the confidence of the public
in the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals and, since their wishes only TO
have irritated him, II was well for him to re-
sign.
Now that he is out, the reformers have their
chance. and. from their character as body. 1t
may fairly be assumed that the fulfilment Of
their pledges is only matter Of time. Their
task is. after all, simplicity itself. The public
has only mild concern IN the personalities Of
the officers appointed 10 control the Society for
the Prevention of Cruelty TO Animals. All that
the public wants to know is the extent of the
available funds the manner of their disburse
ment and the efficiency OF the employees
signed to the practical work required. The
New Yorker, in or out Of the society, who sees
an animal in pain wants TO be satisfied that
the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals will look after the poor brute with the
least possible delay. This is what, under
stand it. the reformers have in mind. They will
practise economy in the of the society's
funds, and they will account for every penny
spent or in hand They will give the animals in
this town a square deal, and then they will
stand upon their record. They have the public
with them now They have only to establish
the right record 10 win back for the society all
the favor II has lost and make ii permanently
what Henry Bergh meant it TO be, indis-
pensable fsctor in the life of the city. No one
conversant with the facts thus far developed
has any doubt of the outcome.