The Columbus weekly dispatch., 1908-07-26
THE TUBERCULOUs CATTLE
INfsInENT

cident at the A & NJ. College should
be in the limelight Be it remem-
bered that the sale of these cattle TO
people who assumed all responsible
ity for their shipment occurred over
two years ago. and little was thought
OF it until this fight on President
Hardy occurred. and then it was res
urrected by his enemies and enemies
of the school and paraded before the
public as a criminal incident of his
administration This charge, like
most of the charges upon which he
has been acquitted, was enlarged
and magnifed and made to do duty
in building a hostile sentiment over
the State toward him and the insti-
tuition over which he presides.
What are the facts? Is tubercu-
losis in cattle a grave menace to the
lives and health Of the people? If
it is, what steps are taken over the
State to protect the people from it?
How many tests are made monthly
in the cities and counties of this great
commonwealth to protect the people?
Are there any? Have you heard any
thing of this matter until it was
brought forth by the disgruntled and
dissatisfied element as a cause for
removing President Hardy from the
presidency of the A & NJ College?
AS matter of fact, tests in Wincon-
sin showed that fully seventy-f1ve per
cent. of some of the dairy herds of
that State were afflicted with tuberc-
ulOsis. No doubt there are hundreds
of thousands of cattle in this and
other States which are afflicted with
the disease, and yet we do not hear
of any great scourge affecting the
people as a result therefrom.
Now, what are the facts in the
case? Here was the president of the
college dealing with the matter for
the first time. The distinguished
men who had gone before him left
precedents which in nearly instance
he had found worthy and wise When
informed of the condition of the cat
tie he turned to those associated with
him il the management of this de-
partment, and found that upon a for
mer occasion, under General Lees
administration, tuberculous bull
had been sold at the college The
veterinarian rightly recommended
that these cattle be destroyed, but
stated that under certain conditions
they could be shipped to St Louis,
where they could be used for beef
cattle, federal restrictions in force in
that city regulating the matter |
There is no law in the State against
the disposition Of tuberculous cattle. |
and President Hardy was applied to
by citizen of Starkyille and citi- I
zen of New Orleans for the purchase !
Of the cattle. He never sold them
.oncealing their real condition On 7
the contrary, they were sold with I
heir condition made known to the I
purchasers, who paid a small price
,or the same because of this condi-
ion. They were delivered to the
at the college, and be-
,ame responsible for their future dis
position. If they were shipped to
lew Orleans the purchasers were re-
ponsibIe for this, and if any law
vas violated in shipping from one
state to another, certainly President
Hardy was not to blame for it.
But what are the further facts?
7uberculous cattle can be shipped
o Louisiana just as they can be ship
ed to St. Louis. Federal reguIa-
ions control in New Orleans just as
hey control in ST. Louis, and when
hese are complied with there is no
anger in such shipment. Were they
ompIied with? Certainly they must
ave been, for one of the purchasers
yas a New Orleans cattle dealer, IA
aiIiar with the laws of that State
nd of that city and of the general
overnment in dealing with this mat
er. And yet President Hardy is cen
ured and condemned and this mat
er resurrected after two years and
lade to do duty as a reason why he
hould be fired from the presidency
f the college.
What did President Hardy do after
he sale of these cattle? Being in
oubt as TO the proper course to
ursue, he reported the matter to the
oard of trustees, who approved the
ale and made regulations that in
be future the cattle should be de-
troyed. and since that time they .
ave been destroyed.
This matter is referred to in de-
all. that the facts may be made
.nown and that President Hardy's
osition in the same may be under
TODD. This and every other charge
hows the malignity Of the fight