SPECIAL MEETING. 15 



hold of it ; other States have proved their unwillingness to 

 do as Massachusetts did. I do not know how it can be met 

 in any other way except through the general government. 

 These resolutions, it seems to me, cover that point fully and 

 eflfectively. In regard to endorsing the Bureau of Animal 

 Industry, that some gentleman has objected to, by adopting 

 the last resolution, according to the evidence that has come 

 out here, that Bureau consists of experts, of veterinary sur- 

 geons, who are the only men, I suppose, that are capable of 

 judging of the diseased condition of animals. If they are 

 not, in Avhom else can we confide or upon whom else can we 

 put the power of advising in such matters? As I under- 

 stand, the Bureau is composed of those experts ; and the very 

 fact that those Chicago cattle-yard men oppose them because 

 they have attended to their duty and exposed this condition 

 of disease, it seems to me, is the very reason why we should 

 endorse them. That seems to be the view of Dr. Peters. 

 He is a veterinary surgeon. Perhaps some one will say that 

 he is interested in his profession ; but, acting under the direc- 

 tion of the Governor, I assume that he has made a fair state- 

 ment and report, and I for one am willing to be governed by 

 it. It seems to me it is wise to endorse by our recommenda- 

 tion the Bureau of Animal Industry, rather than take the 

 chance of having it abolished and two or three men appointed 

 by the President. I do not want to pass any judgment, but 

 it strikes me this matter is safer in the hands in which it is 

 now vested. I like that resolution and urge its adoption on 

 that very ground. 



Mr. Damon. I objected to the resolution in regard to the 

 Bureau of Animal Industry being adopted, because I did not 

 know anjrthing about it ; but I' now know more about it since 

 the paper was read, and of course I have no objection to it. 

 In regard to the point which has been taken with respect to 

 the constitutional power of the national government to inter- 

 fere with the police regulations in the several States, I think 

 it will do no harm to pass this resolution and let the national 

 government go as far as it can in aiding the States in stamp- 

 inoj out this terrible scourije which threatens the cattle inter- 

 ests of this country. The national government can appro- 

 priate money for this purpose, and the State of Illinois, for 



