1891.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. 199 



to invite the members of the Board after the lecture this 

 afternoon to take a ride about the city, and view some of the 

 attractions of Worcester, of which they are so proud, and 

 which you would have very much enjoyed ; but the ice 

 storm of this morning has made the streets unsafe for the 

 smooth-shod horses, and thus prevented the courtesy being 

 extended, for which I am very sorry, and which I doubt not 

 you all very much regret. 



The Chairman. You will now listen to the report of the 

 committee appointed at the forenoon session with reference 

 to legislation in regard to the use of unsound horses as sires. 



Mr. Appleton. The committee understand that the last 

 Legislature passed a law requiring that the pedigree of 

 stallions, advertised for service, should be recorded ; and the 

 committee recommend that an addition be made to the law 

 in some form, providing that proof of the soundness of the 

 horse shall be certified to by a veterinary surgeon. 



Mr. Ware. I understand that it is proposed that the 

 legislation shall forbid the advertising for service of unsound 

 stallions, and this certificate is to be proof of soundness. 



Mr. E. W. Wood. I would move that this committee be 

 instructed to bring this matter before the Legislature. 



Mr. Newton. I would like to inquire if it is the intention 

 of this Board to ask the Legislature to forbid by law the use 

 of an unsound stallion? If so, is it a wise move for an 

 intelligent set of men like those here present to make? 

 What would such a law amount to ? It seems to me that it 

 would simply make us a laughing-stock. How can you, by 

 a law of Massachusetts, forbid me to use a stallion that I 

 have, if he does have spavin ? How can we enforce any such 

 law ? Have we not on the statute book any number of laws 

 that are inoperative ? What is the use of incumbering it 

 with more? 



Secretary Sessions. I do not suppose that this conven- 

 tion has any idea of undertaking impossibilities ; but I do 

 know that the Legislature, by their action last winter, con- 

 sidered that they had a right to require information respect- 

 ing horses kept for breeding purposes. Now, an addition 

 can be made, requiring that the owners of horses offered for 

 service shall show that they are sound. I can see no harm 



