Resolved, That this convection earnestly recommend enactment.' hy those States. of stringent law s to pre vent the transit through their limits of Texas or t brerokee cattle, from the first day of March to the first day of' November, inclusive Resolved, That the interests of the community require the enactment of laws making any person responsible for all damage. that may result from the diffusion of any disease from animals iu his ownersh'p or possession.
In addition. to these resolutions, the following draft of a bill was adopted and recommended to such States in the East or on principal routes of transportation as might require its provisions. The first article provides for the appointment of three commissioners, or such other number as may be necessary, by competent authority, to hold their office for five years, and report annu ally to the legislature. Such commissioner shall have power to watch over the general welfare of animals within the State for which they are appointed, and particularly to prevent the spread of dangerous diseases among them, and to pro tect the people of the State from the dangers arising from the consumption of diseased meat. They may from time to time appoint such assist ant commissioners to aid them in the discharge of their duties, as the public good may require. They should have power to administer oaths, and to prescribe from time to time such rules and regulations as may be necessary to accomplish the object of their appointment. They shall give public notice of the outbreak of any dangerous disease, and such practical directions for its avoidance as they may deem necessary. They may either place such diseased cattle in quaran tine or cause them to be killed, as may seem necessary for the public protection; but in the latter case they shall cause an appraisal of such cattle to be made, and the county or State shall pay such proportion of the appraised value as may be provided by law. The second article provides that the commissioners, or any assistant commissioner, located on the frontier of any State, shall have power, at such times as may be prescribed by the commissioners, to inspect all the animals brought into such State, 'whether by railroad cars, vessels or common roads, and shall have power to detain such railroad cars, vessels and drovers of animals on common roads, long enough to make a proper investigation of them, for the purpose of ascertaining their sanitary condition. No animal shall be permitted to enter
the State which shall be deemed by such assistant commissioner to be capable of diffusing danger ous diseases, or of injuring the health of the inhabitants. No train shall be allowed to pro ceed unless the animals contained therein have been supplied with food, water and rest within twenty-four hours next preceding the time of such inspection. All animals shall have rest and have access to food and water for twenty-four hours after having traveled a similar period. The railroad companies shall provide the suitable yards for feeding, watering and resting animals traveling on the trains, and for quarantine pur poses, which shall be kept cleanly and in whole some condition, to the satisfaction of the commis sioners. Each train, on leaving its point of departure, shall have certificates, signed by an assistant commissioner, which shall certify that all the animals therein contained were in a healthy condition at the time of its departure, and also the exact time of leaving; and such certificates and endorsements thereon of the time of resting and time of departure of the train at subsequent resting and feeding places, shall be exhibited to the proper authorities whenever required. Proper penalties should be inserted to prevent the bri bery of officers charged • with the eipcutiou of these provisions; and also for those who inter fere with or resist the officers charged with the execution of these duties.