EEPORT OF CATTLE COMMISSIONERS. 393 



from that quarter; therefore, on the 15th of that month, all 

 restrictions were removed from the transportation of cattle 

 from any points west or north to Massachusetts. 



In May, 1884, Congress passed an act establishing the 

 Bureau of Animal Industry ' ' to prevent the exportation of 

 diseased cattle, and to provide means for the suppression 

 and extirpation of pleuro-pneumonia and other contagious 

 diseases among domestic animals," and to co-operate with 

 any State which would, by its constituted authorities, engage 

 in the same work for itself, and give the officers of the 

 Bureau the same power and protection, when in the State 

 and in the discharge of their duty, as it gives to its own 

 sheriffs, constables and peace officers. Subsequently it made 

 an appropriation of $500,000, to be used by the Bureau in the 

 prosecution of the work. Knowing of this act of Congress, 

 on the appearance of the disease at South Boston, Governor 

 Ames at once notified Commissioner Coleman, the head of the 

 Bureau, of its existence in the State, and asked for assistance 

 in its extirpation. He then sent a message to the Legisla- 

 ture on the subject, which resulted in the passage of an act 

 (chapter 250 of the Acts of 1887) complying with the act of 

 Congress of 1884. Thus Massachusetts was one of the first, 

 if not the first State in the Union, to accept, by legislative 

 enactment, of the proffer of the United Slates to co-operate 

 in this important enterprise. Immediately upon the notifica- 

 tion of the governor. Dr. W. H. Rose and Dr. R. A. McLean, 

 two of the most intelligent aud experienced members of the 

 Bureau, were dispatched to Boston and engaged in the work 

 of investigation. They went from town to town and exam- 

 ined the suspected herds and animals, bought and paid for 

 many afiected cases as if in the ordinary course of trade, and 

 caused their slaughter for post-mortem purposes. They made 

 extensive journeys beyond our limits to trace out the history 

 of the animals causing the trouble here, and to apprize us of 

 those sources of cattle drift which were a danger to us ; and 

 in every way aided in the work to be performed as if it had 

 been personal to themselves. Their skill and efficiency 

 demonstrated the wisdom of our co-operation with the 

 Bureau. The measures of the Board caused great disturb- 

 ance in the general cattle trade, and, doubtless, some indi- 



