The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-07-19
THE CHECK REIN SHOULD GO.

AIleT COn1eSSlnS Lnat she mas READ
some mighty good editorials concern
ing antomobiles--t1,eir noise and their
smoke" Miss Lucy r. Mason, of Rich-
mond, suggests that we say another
word for the mules and one for the
horses" in this town, and then says
1t for us and says it better than we
could say it, as follows:
superintendent COIN, OF the Street
Cleaning Department., has issued
wise and merciful order-the only
amendment which can be suggested
is that it be enforced in cold weather
as we'll as in summer. Leave the
check reins off of the city mules for
ever.
Last summer I was in England and
one of the first things / noticed was
that there were no check reins on
any of the horses I asked the Lon
don bus drivers about this, whenever
talked with them, and was told that
| 1t was against the law for draft
horses of any kind to wear check
| rens.
why cannot we be as civilized and
as merciful in Richmond, as our Eng
| lish brothers? Can any thoughtful
person point out the particular use
| of the check worn by the majority
| OF our cart horses and mules? Can
| they deny that the animal could per-
form the days work with far more
comfort without the check? When n
horse tackles heavy haul up hill,
down goes its head as 1t throws its
weight against the load. The short,
senseless, cruel check prevents this,
shortens his neck by half. and ac-
tually reduces his hauling power. 1t
is enough to mako humane persons
heart ache to see the useless, thought
less cruelty that is daily practiced
by the use of these needless bits Of
! leather.
Let us be both humane and
sensible and give the horses and
mules a chance to do their long
days work with greater ease
and comfort as they toll up the
many long, Shard hills of Richmond.
If every owner of horses and mules
would give a little thought to the
matter, his orders would soon be car
ried out by his drivers. and Richmond
would set shining example of hui
manity."
Why not? "a righteous man re-
gardeth the life of his beast; only
the fool neglects its care and
its comfort. The better it is
treated the longer will 1t last. and
good mules and horses are worth
a good deal of money. They
ought not to be overworked or under
fed; if their loads are too heavy they
should be lightened: if they can pull
better with their heads down than
with their heads harnessed high, II
would be true economy to let them
work with their heads down. There
ought to be somebody to look afte,
them and after their owners as we'll
In the beautiful public square Al
Waterbury, Connecticut, there is fine
statue of a horse fashioned in stone
and keeping guard over a fountain al
which the horses of that progressive
town Stake their thirst summer ant
winter. 1t was built by a good wo
man who had the love of God in hel
heart. and is monument Il
her beautiful sympathy with thu
creatures which Were placed here fo
I mans service, not as objects upoI
which he is to visit his anger ane
abuse.
Look at the horses and mules 70,
meet to-day in Richmond and see how
they are treated by the people TO
: whom they are making money or rem
!. dering service. There ought to be ;
law against check reins and the Law
< should be enforced. Miss Lucy MasoI
pleads particularly for the work
: animals and what she says is so vel
!. said and is SO sensible withal tina
v the owners would find the control o
o the drivers a very easy matter.