456 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



iating to American statesmanship. Man is nominally a vertebrate animal, al- 

 though American politicians have been claimed as exceptional specimens, an 

 assumption in some degree unwarranted and unjust, except in the matter of 

 legislation in restraint of dogs. In this regard the spinal columns of laW' 

 makers are affected to a lamcutable degree \vith weakness or paralysis. 

 ■ The man who has a dog has also a vote, and it is singular how a conjunc- 

 tion of such a possession with such a franchise affects the law-maker, be he 

 delegate, assemblyman, national representative, or even invested with the dig- 

 nity of an American senator. With what delicacy he approaches a dog law. 

 How he shrinks from doing a simple act of national protection when'it affects 

 an interest which ignores reason and justice, and acts from prejudice and im- 

 pulse. He acknowledges the right and inherent propriety of taxation, but 

 shrinks from it neither wisely nor bravely. He invents excuses, but urges 

 them feebly, aud finally acknowledges their impotency. " It wouldn't be a pop- 

 ular measure." Such admission is honest as it is cowardly. "It is a subject 

 with which personal feelings and home affections have to do." So it may be; 

 but the cold hand of the revenue law is laid upon the snugly ensconced lady's 

 watch, however deftly hidden, aud a tax extracted; aud the soft tone of the 

 piano is burdened with the wail of a tax. No ! such excuses avail nothing ; 

 they are worthless and unworthy of their source. 



One who has done and suffered in this cause in a State that made indecent 

 haste to repeal a wise and efficient dog law writes : 



"Has any man political aspirations ? Before the people will support him he must declare 

 a dead and damned dog law unconstitutional, and must, at the sacritice of his manhood, honor, 

 and integrity, swear that he will never favor the smallest interference with the multiplication 

 of hordes of dogs. A candidate must, in answer to the inquiry, ' What do you think of the 

 dog law ? ' instead of disposing of it with a wave of the hand and the declaration that it ia 

 dead and hurled, enter into a lengthy disquisition upon its constitutionality, and over its 

 teiKlency to utterly subvert the rights of the American citizen. Nay, more; he must heartily 

 abuse every man who had aught to do, directly or indirectly, with its passage." 



But our legislators are becomiug, it is hoped and believed, not only more 

 practical and patriotic, but more independent and free from time-serving. 

 They are already manifesting not only a willingness, but a determination to do 

 tkeu- duty ia this matter, and the people do cheerfully and will heartily sustain 

 them. 



The following letter, written by Governor Randall, of Wisconsin, shows a 

 politician with a sound head, a kind heart, and a stout backbone : 



"Executive Office, Madison, July 6, 1860. 



"Dear Sir: Your letter in regard to the ' dog law ' i& received. The bill was properly 

 signed, and is the law of this State, and that law will not be repealed with my approbation 

 while I remain in office. No good citizen will ol)jcct to it or refuse to obey it. A man who 

 is able to own a dog, which costs as much as to keep a cow, is able to get a collar for him. 

 No good citizen will refuse to make the sacrifice of obedience to that law when he must know 

 that if it is enforced it will save the farmers and stock-growers of this State from $4(J,0U0 to 

 ^60,000 every year, and increase the number of wool-growers very largely. Every human 

 Mfe lost by the bite of a dog is worth more than all the dogs in the country. A man who is 

 not willing to sacritice one dollar for his privilege, where so great a benefit may accrue to the 

 State by compliance with the provisions of the act, ought to be kicked out ot it. 

 ' ' Very truly, yours, 



"ALEX. W. RANDALL. " 



DIGEST OF OUR DOG LAWS. 



In the general desire for enactment of judicious dog laws recently revived 

 throughout the land, and consequent action of legislative bodies, the latest changes 

 in such laws may not have been received, and therefore the following synopsis of 

 the laws of several of the States may not be without imperfections. It exhibits a 

 great variety, some nearly impracticable and of little efficiency, and others, of 

 later origin, very efficient and indicatiVe of wholesome progress. 



