The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-05-04
PLEA FOR THE DOC
R. w. Blair Comes to Defense
of MANS Best Friend"
Vigorous Protest Against the
Proposed Ordinance.
CHILDREN AND DOGS.
They Are Ever Inseparable,
Says the Writer.
Senator Vests Famous EulOgy
ON the Dog.
CHILDREN AND DOGS.


To the Editor Of the State Journal:
I enter a protest against the pro-
posed dog ordinance. 1t was begotten
In selhshness and conceived in ignor-
ance- Whether it will be brought forth
horrible monStrOsity to shock the
public sense of right, remains to be
seen. Children and dogs are insep-
| arabic Some men, few, do not like
children and dogs. Most people do not
like such men. Most men do like
children and dogs. and nearly all of
US like such men, for we know they
are to be trusted
The Kansas avenue merchant who in
denance of pure food laws and all sense
vegetables on the sidewalk to gather
lying Nth, We are told is in favor of
the ordinance The neighborhood dog
polSoners the lowest in the scale of
humanity except the official dog catch
er, also favors it. "A few loafers una BILE
or unwilling to make a living by hon
est toll. who hope to be authorized to
stand outside the gate ready to nab
the childs pet the moment its devoted
nose prOtrudeS, is enthusiastically for
1T. A few whose flower beds have been
injured have in a moment of passion
Joined hands with the dog catcher, but
they are ashamed of their company and
really prefer the society of the dogs.
/ make my protest in behalf of the
dog itself and of the large majority
OF the people who believe the soft-eyed,
affectionate animal is mans best
friend. 1 make my protest in the name
of the many children whose consta mt
and often sole companion is the gen.
tie, faithful and harmless dog, and in
the name of the men who enjoy the
companionship of their pointers and
settlers in the field, and of those who
believe that it will be cruel to keep SO
kind and harmless creature Gagged up
like a wild animal, and finally I pro-
test in the name of the prospective
widows and orphans of the dog catch
ers.
Senator Vests EuIogy.
Senator Vest, in the trial of a law
suit. paid the following beautiful tri-
butte to the dog:
Gentlemen of the jury. the best
friend a man has may turn against
him and become his enemy. His son
or daughter that he has reared with
loving care may prove ungrateful.
Those who are nearest and dearest to
us, those whom we trust with our
happiness and our good name, may
become traitors to their faith The
money that a man has he may lose.
1t flies away from him, perhaps when
he needs it most. A mans reputation
may be sacrificed in a moment of i'll
considered action The people who
are prone TO fall on their knees to do
US honor when success is with us may
be the first to throw the stone of
malice when failure settles It's cloud
upon our heads.
THE one absolutely unselfish friend
that man can have in this selfish
world, the one that never deserts him.
the one that never proves ungrateful
or treacherous, is his dog. A mans
dog stands by him in prosperity and
in poverty, and in health and in sick
ness. He will sleep on the cold
ground, where the wintry winds blow
and the snow drives flercely, if only
he may be near his masters side. He
will kiss the hand that has no food to
offer, he will lick the wounds and
sores that come in encounter with the
roughness of the world. He guards
the sleep of his pauper master as If he
were a prince. When all other friends
depart he remains. When riches take
wings and reputation falls to pieces
he is as constant in his love as the
sun in its journey through the
heavens.
"If fortune drives the master forth
an outcast in the world, friendless and
homeless. the faithful dog asks no
higher privilege than that of accom-
panying him. to guard against danger,
to fight against his enemies. And
when the last scene of all comes. and
death takes the master in its embrace
and his body is laid away in the cold
ground, no matter If all other friends
pursue their way. there by the grave
side will the noble dog be found, his
head between his paws. his eyes sad,
but open in alert watchfulness, faith
full and true even in death"
R w. BLAIR.