Year: 1873

Humanitarian Law OF Congress Regu-
lating the Transportation Of Cattle


The Act to Take Effect October 1.


The following act was passed at the last session
of Congress:-


Be it enacted by the Senate and House OF Repre-
sentatives OF the United States Of America in Con-
gress assembled, That no railroad within the United
states whose road forms any part OF line OF road
shall be conveyed from one State to anotner or
the owners or masters OF steam, sailing or other
vessels carving or transporting cattle, sheep
swine or other animals from one State to another,
Shall cOnfine the same In cars, boats or vessels
of anv description for a longer period than
twenty eight consecutive hours, without unload
ing the same lOr rest, water and feeding for a
period OF at least five consecutive hours unless
prevented from unloading by storm or acci-
dental causes In estimating such confinement
the time during which the animals have been con-
fined without such rest on connecting roads from
the intent OF this act TO prohibit their continuous
confinement beyond the period OF twenty-eight
hours, except upon contingencies hereinbefore
stated. Animals so unloaded shall be properly fed
and watered during such rest by the owner or
his default in so doing, then by the rail-
road company or owners or masters OF boats or
pense ' of said owner s or or person in custody
thereof; and said company, owners or masters
shall in such case have a lien upon such animals
for food, and custody furnished, and shall not
be liable iOr any detention OF such animals author
lied by this act Any company, owner or custo-
dian OF such ANIMALS who shall knowingly and will
fully tail to comply with the provisions OF this act
shall, for each and every such failure to comply
with the provisions OF the act be liable for and
forfeit and pay penalty OF not less than 500 nor
more than $500; provided, however, that when
animals shall be carried in cars boats other
sells IN which they can and do have proper food,
space ana opportunity for rest the foregoing pro-
visions in regard to their beng unl0aded shall not
apply


Sec 2.-That the penalty created by the first Sec
tion OF this act shall be recovered by civil action,
in the OF the United States, in the Circuit
District Court OF the United States holden within
the district wnere the violation OF this act may
have been committed or the person or corpora
tion resides carries its business; and 1t shall
be the duty of all United States Marshas. their
deputies and subordinates, to prosecute all viola
tons OF this act which shall come to their notice or
knowledge.


Sec s.-That any person or corporation entitled
to lien under the first section OF this act may en-
force the same by petition fled in the District
Court Of the United States holden within the dis
trict where 0od, care ana custody shall have been
furnished, or the owner or custodian Of the prop
erty resides and said Court shall have power to
issue all suitable process for the enforcement OF
such lien by sale or otherwise and to compel the
payment of all costs, penalties, charges and ex-
penses OF proceedings under this act.


SEC. 4.-That. this act shall not 60 into effect
until the 1st day OF October, 1878.