The Evening Telegraph

A Strange Objection.

Yesterday, in the State House of Representatives, Mr. Rogers asked leave to introduce a bill authorizing the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to erect fountains. Mr. Strang objected, and therefore the advocates of the bill will have to wait a more propitious moment before they can introduce it to the Legislature. Wherefore did Strang object? Was it because there was "nothing in the bill"? or was it because he was afraid it might interfere with the perquisites of the great Cattle Yard Association, who hope, with Strang's aid, to control all the beef, mutton and pork brought to the Philadelphia markets? There may be some very objectionable features in the bill offered by Mr. Rogers which we are not aware of, but if it really emanated from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals-and we have no doubt that it did-there is every reason to believe that is a perfectly proper and beneficial measure. The necessity for a liberal supply of drinking fountains for man and beast in all quarters of this great city needs no argument. If such fountains were abundant, the consumption of ardent spirits during the summer months by the bipeds would be much diminished. and the poor overtasked brutes for whose protection the society asking for the fountains was organized would have every cause to be grateful to the large-hearted charity that provided for their wants.

It would. perhaps, be strange if Strang did not object to such a measure as this, and he might ask, Why should a "legislature" waste the few remaining valuable moments of the session in discussing bills of this kind, for the benefit of animals that have no influence whatever at primary elections or at the polls? Why, indeed, Strang? The objection of Strang is a tolerably sure sign that there "is nothing in this bill," and that it is a perfectly legitimate measure that ought to pass the Legislature. We hope that Mr. Rogers will not allow himself to be put down by Strang, but that he will persist in his efforts to get the bill before the House, and, if possible, get it passed.