STOCK RUNNING AT LARGE.
Mr. ADKISON called up his notice given Friday to reconsider the vote by which Mr. Yancey's bill [S. 62] was rejected to prevent the running at large of stock, was rejected.
Mr. HENRY Insisted if there ever was a time- when such a bill should be passed it is now when so many fences have been swept away by the recent floods The present law has been found wholly insufficient. The running at large of stock ought not to be allowed.
Mr. LOCKRIDGE also hoped the bin will pass. There never was a time when such legislation 1s- more needed than the present. Being at home over Sunday the people with whom he talked: were universally demanding such a measure. In many cases no fences have been left and there not sufficient timber to replace them. The statistics of 1880 show the fencing in. Indiana alone would reach fourteen and one-half times around the world, and the rail fence in Allen County would reach nine times around the State. The value of stock in this State is $104,658 260, or over $l2,000,000 less than the estimated value of fencing. This will be a big question in the near future: if about one-fourth or one eighth the amount of fencing will keep stock up.
Mr. MAY trusted the bill would not pass It is not consistent in Senators to vote for $100,000 to be given to sufferers in the Southern part of the State one minute and then vote for the passage of this bill the next. Simply say to the people along the Ohio River, "you shall fence in your stock," thus making a pasture monopoly for land owners and consign poor people to suffer by taking from them the main stay of their subsistance-their cows. He remonstrated against the passage of this bill, especially at this time.
Mr. DAVIDSON said if this bill does not consume a good deal of time it is worthy of careful consideration. He opposed any measure that has a tendency to make neighbors fallout with each other and quarrel, and that is what the present page: 226[View Page 226] law for enclosing stock does whenever it is enforced. He would prefer to furnish pasture for the poor man who works for him, than to keep all his land fenced in. Then when cows are kept in pasture the owner can find them, otherwise they stray off four or five miles, and will not give as good milk or as much of it as if they had a pasture to run in. He favored the passage of this bill.
Mr. ADKISON explained he made the motion to reconsider at the request of the author of the bill, and having voted against it twice before would do so again.
Mr. VOYLES insisted this bill would work a hardship in some portions of the State. The present law on this subject is right-it is in effect to make a local option on this subject. A petition to the Commissioners will certainly reflect the will of the people in the locality, and the County Commissioners will undoubtedly reflect that will.
The bill failed to pass by yeas, 21; nays. 22.
