Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-07-08
Has Humanity No Rights ?

I 1t is unfortunate that in as good ;
cause as mercy for dumb brutes. the
Humane Society, lately organized fol-
their protection should have had ar
arbiter who took more cOgnizance Of
the general reputation and socia
standing of the individual arraigned
than the plain provisions of law and
the evidence submitted. The result
bat further illustrates the cOnten ton
of the STANDARD that it would pro-
mote Justice as well as economy to
elect to the important office of JUS
tice of the Peace only persons who
may combine with judgment and
common sense some knowledge of law
and its application to the rules Of
evidence.
The law relating to cruelty 10 dumb
animals is wisely drawn to cover not
only punishment of those owning the
brutes, but those who direct, con-
troll or encourage, the use of ami
mails, like the horse that has been
hauling the swill-team which fattens
Mr.. Chambers pigs at the slaughter
pen. Ownership, under that cause,
cut very little figure, it having been
shown completely by Mr.. Chambers
himself that, while he did not claim
to own the horse, he bought him for
Tom, knowing his condition, paying
the cost that he had never been re-
paid. and probably never would be
reimbursed. He denied that he ever
gave him to Tom. 1t was also ad-
mitted by him that, in the demand
made by the President of the HUI
name Society that he promised to in.
terest himself to see that the horse s
condition be attended to by a veteri-
nary surgeon.
Now it does seem with all those ad.
missions that the law finds ample ap-
plication without any consideration
of the question of ownership.
Mr.. Chambers refused to employ
an attorney, for it was apparent he
did not need one, the court" having
signified before hearing a word of ev-
idence or a reading of the law that a
non-suit would be granted. or rather
dismissal without investigation.
No man is competent to sit as
judge whose ipse dinit, is to be sub
stituted for authority of law, though
the contention be between the high
est and the lowest members of the
social Or business realm. 1t is prob
ably more due to neglect and misun-
Outstanding Of the law, on the part
of Mr.. Chambers that has led to this
suit, but we feel quite sure that the
allegation made by Mr. Chambers
that it has resulted from spite work
Of the association has no foundation
in fact. Acknowledgement Of culpa-
bility and imposition of q small fine,
would have been lawful and better
for the law. better for the society
and better for the community.
AS appropriate to this subject we
subioin an excerpt from the New
York World, entitled 1.-The Horses
Prayer" which illustrates the feel
ing that has caused the effort to re-
lieve the poor old horse in ques ton
from his persistent and patiently
borne hard life:
Pathetic and ironical rs it may seem
the horse looks up to man as his god.
In the Swedish they have Prayer OF
the Horse" addressed 10 his human lord
and master, which in sum is AS follows:
20 lord, my master, thank and adore
you for the kind word you spoke to me
long ago, and strive in the hope that
you will pet me once in awhile. II
cannot understand what you wish me
to do, please be patient and show me.
Don't beat me or jerk on the reins. but
look and see if something is not wrong
with the harness.
| beg OF you not to whip me going up
hill. nor give the loads heavier than l
can pull. Keep me shod 80 that can
get q foothold and don't let the farrier
cripple my feek II am sick or have
an liberated tooth, 70 easy with me for
q day, as | am beside myself with pain.
80, grant me cool, clean water in the
hot weather aud let me not eat nv
fodder dry.
Finally. when my strength is gone,
and l cannot any more work for you
enough to be worth my keep, beseech
OF you don't let me be sold to drag q
vendors cart. but take my life in the
quickest and easiest way, and God will
reward you in this life and in heaven.
Amen"