Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 March 1879 — Henry Bergh’s Methods. [ARTICLE]

Henry Bergh’s Methods.

In a paper, by Mr. C. C. Buel, in Scribner for April, on “Henry Bergh and His Work,” occurs this'passage regarding his methods of enforcing the laws against cruelty: Moral suasion and a resolute bearing are Henry Bergh’s most potent auxiliaries. Only rarely has he been forced to use his muscular strength to defend himself. One winter’s dav he met two large men comfortably seated on a ton of coal,'with one horse straining to drag the cart through the snow. He ordered them to get down, and after an altercation pulled them down. At another time'he stood at the southwest corner of Washington square, inspecting the horses of the Seventh Avenue railroad. Several weak and lame horses were ordered to be sent to the stables, and a blockade of overloaded cars soon ensued. A loafer on a car-platform, annoyed at the delay, began to curse Mr. Bergh, who stood on the curbstone three feet distant, turning a deaf ear till the spectators began to urge the bully on. Then, losing his patience, he seized the reins and suspended the movement of the car until the order was complied with. This is one of his “ curbstone” speeches, often used with effect: “ Now, gentlemen, consider that you are American citizens living in a republic. You make your own laws; no despot makes them for you. And I appeal to your sense of justice and your patriotism, oughtn’t you to respect what you yourselves have made? ” Once, Mr. Bergh ordered the ignorant foreman of a gang of gas-pipe layers to fill up one-half of a trench they had dug directly across crowded Greenwich street, even under the railway track. The man gave a surly refusal which would have caused his arrest had not a stranger stepped out from the crowd and said:

“Mike you better do what that man tells you, for he’s the law and the goapel in this city.” “The law and the gospel is it then?” replied Mike, surveying Mr. Bergh from head to foot. “Well, he don’t look a bit like it.” “No matter, but he is,” enforced the stranger, “and, if you can take a friend’s advice, you will fill up that trench.” And the trench was filled. It is a compliment to Henry Bergh’s tact and moderation in the use of his great authority that he has won the respect of most of the drivers of the city; these people may frequently be seen lifting their hats to him, a courtesy always acknowledged with a bow. Horse-car drivers have been known to leave their cars and run to the assistance of his officers, notably when Supt. Hartfield was attacked at Madison square.