Uncle Dick and Lisa's Old Time Animal Tales

Some months ago the City Council very properly, and in accordance with the wishes of three-fourths of the people of the city, passed an ordinance prohibiting the running at large of hogs on our streets. This has been an evil which our citizens for years have endeavored to eradicate, but were overborne by the influence of an interested few. The ordinance, as it now stands, is just such a one as is in force in almost every considerable town or city in the country where a proper municipal policy and cleanliness of the streets exist. Prior to the passage of the ordinance, the droves of hogs that swarmed our streets, rooting up the gutters and pavements, running into every open door and gate, and destroying property, and often forcing themselves through strong fences into gardens, had got to be such an abuse that the hog owners were compelled to cave in; but the immense stock which they have accumulated, proving too much for the economical management within the owners premises, they have become clamorous for the repeal of the ordinance, that they again pour upon the streets droves of grunters. So clamorous have they become that, we learn, the council is wavering, and in all probability will accede to their demands. We trust that this may not be true. There has been no petition circulated for the appeal. Indeed, those who would have the ordinance wiped out will not undertake to collect public sentiment in that way. They prefer to pull the tails of the pigs to such note as contains a threat of loss of votes at the next election. The question is, will the Council permit such influences to operate? We hope not. If they act in accordance with decent city policy, and the wishes of the public, they will let the ordinance stand, and force our city pork raisers to withdraw their grunters to the prescribed limits. There should be no falling back, to gratify the dozen or twenty men, who seek profit through the annoyance of their neighbors.