The Harrison times., 1911-07-29
The Freedom of the Town Cow.
Editor Times:

lie OrOlldliCS ISSSlllIN lJdooSu ny
the city council, commonly known
as the "cow ordinance" will proba-
blv remain unenforced and the ques-
ton will be presented to the voters
at the next city election, Aps!l 2,
1912, when, if the majority vote is
registered in favor of keeping the
COWS OF the streets this provision of
the law will become effective at
once. and if the vote is against it,
the COWS will continue to run at
large indefinitely,
The ordinance requiring owners of
hogs to keep them off the streets,
passed by our city council some
years ago, encountered considerable
opposition. Since then the city has
grown in population and many i'm
provements have been made; and
probably few could now be found
who would wish for a return of the
open hog season. Harrison is now
a CITY of 1000 or more inhabitants,
with many of the advantages en-
joyed by larger places, and with
good deal of progressive spirit, and
she is confronted with the question
of whether she shall make a step
forward or backward in municipal
Improvement, for surely no one will
deny that a vote to let the COWS run
at large is vote against progress.
Within the last year a number of
cement sidewalks have been laid in
different parts of the city. These
have been very convenient,to every
one here, and a source of pleasure to
all who desire Harrison's growth as
a city, But COWS and cement side
walks do not 60 together, and If the
COWS are to have the liberty of the
streets, the building of these walks
was mistake and a needless bur
den upon property owners, and no
more sucs walks should be con-
structed.
Moreover, there are. people who
would be glad to beautify their
grounds by planting trees and
shrubs along the walks, by remov'
ing more or less unsightly fences,
and in other ways, all of which is
impossible with the COW at large,
devastating all foliage as far as she
can reach. Again, the presence of
any animals upon the streets, has a
tendency to increase the number of
flies, of which we already have quite
enough.
Now, probably none of these
things mean an immediate and di-
rect return in money, although an
increased attractivcness in any
property adds to its money value;
but they mean more to town than
one would imagine. The sight of
well kept streets, with clean and
substantial walks, with neat and
attractive front yards, beautihed by
shrubs and plants, has a beneficial
and uplifting effect upon everyone.
1t creates in our home people a
greater affection for their town and
pride in it's welfare; and to the
stranger, who can only judge of a
town by general impressions gained
from observation, it signifies thrift
and prosperity instead of poverty
and shiftlessness. And the stranger
is not to be ignored; for he and his
friends may be seeking a field for
investment, or a residence place, and
his circle Of acquaintance may be
very wide.
1t is claimed that an enforcement
of this ordinance would work a
hardship upon many owners OF
cows, who have no facilities for
watering at home, and no conven-
lent pasture; they would be obliged
to drive their COWS to the creek
every day for water; and being
unable to do this, they must sell at
once. 1t is undoubtedly a convent
ence for one, in a city Of 5000 inhab-
itants, to be able to turn his COW
out of his gate each morning after
milking time and permit her to for
age feed and water at her own
sweet will, regardless of whose gate
she breaks through or whose garden
she devestates in the course of the
day; and at milking time at night,
to open the gate and let her in fed,
watered and pastured, ready for the
nights milking, 1t is automatic.
And it may be all right so long as it
does not infringe upon the rights OF
others; but the very statement OF