American Veterinary Review. 
MAY, 1899. 
All communications for publication or in reference thereto should be addressed to Prof. 
Roscoe R. Bell, Seventh Ave. Union St., Borough of Brooklyn, New York City. 
EDITORIAL. 
THE ILLINOIS VETERINARY BILL. 
We very cheerfully give space to the communication of 
Prof. R. A. Merillat, of Chicago, published elsewhere in this 
issue. The bill referred to came into our hands through the 
courtesy of the writer of that letter, and we disclaim any inten¬ 
tion of working at cross purposes with the veterinary profession 
of Illinois. When this bill was carefully read and reread by us 
we were innocent of a knowledge that it had been endorsed by 
the associations of that State, and submit that from an exterior 
view one would hardly think that it could have been. If, 
under the exigencies of the political situation in that State, the 
bill in question is the best that can be enacted it is a matter 
resting entirely with the profession there, and others must be 
satisfied. It would appear, however, to one not thoroughly 
versed with the condition of affairs, that no law would be prefer¬ 
able to this one. We as thoroughly negative an intention to 
refer to the present State Veterinarian in a personal sense. He 
may be the peer of his predecessor, or his superior. We 
did not in this matter refer to men, but to methods, and the 
Review’s reference to Dr. Lovejoy as a u political creature ” 
was in the sense that he was the “ creation ” of politics, for 
surely there was no demand on the part of the veterinary pro¬ 
fession for his appointment ; but he was forced on the State by 
virtue of that peculiar factor in politics known as a “ pull.” 
However honorable he may be personally, the gifted writer 
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