The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1880-08-14
PROJECTION OF GAME.

1.-THE Comet" has been an earnest
advocate for the protection of Game
i'm this State. And it is both surpris-
ing and gratifying how rapidly the
daily prejudices against game laws
have been Disappearing. The princi-
pie and policy of the laws are begin
ming TO be clearly understood and
appreciated not alone by genuine
sportsmen and advanced legislators,
but by the intelligent agriculturlsts
and farmers of the country.
1t is great mistake to suppose that
the law rests upon the principle OF
monopoly or eXclusiveness, or is IN
tended or has the effect to benefit
favored class. On the contrary, 1T
rests upon the necessity for protection
in order that the game, birds, animals
and fishes of the State may not be
entirely exterminated, that they may
be protected not for the special benefit
of few, butpreserved for the pleasure
and qualification of everybody alike
For illustration, one man may ina day
lake all the fishes of a fine lake by
draining or poisoning. He has for his
own selfish pleasure depopulated the
lake of all its fishes. Would law
that permitted this not form special
monopoly for this one selfish fellow
Is it not the true intent of the many
that this wholesale plunder and des-
truction should be prohibited
Again one thoughtless boy may
destroy a whole Matching of quails
by destroying dozen eggs in the nest
And it is evident that for this little
selfish enjoyment great deal OF harm
is done. A female quail with family
of helpless little ones is shot by
loafing darkey with his old musket
the consequence is the little birds al
perish. He has gained nothing by
the act, for the old bird he has killed
: il not fit for food in the breeding
season, and he has decreased the birc
supply by at least dozen in number
By trap or net all the birds on
large plantation or in neighborhool
can in one or two seasons be cap
-, tured. This has actually happened
. in several localities in this county
y Suppose all these things are alllowe'
by law, and encouraged by publ
>. opinion how long would it be betor
- all the game in the country was extel
. minated? 1t would take only 1eN
= wears to complete the total destructlol
of all the game. And when it come
:, to this, everybody is agreed that tn
game ought not to eXtermlnatee
d Everybody can take the game, isl
o. birds and animals by proper method
l. at proper seasons, and all that is pre-
&C hibited are methods and practices thi
of will sooner or later work out th
is entire destruction of the game OF III
State.
ic The laws are growing i'll popularity
ne IT. NAV be mentioned that anon
IS other provisions it has effective pr
c. visions that prevent trespasslng' al
rs that will enable the farmers to prote
" themselves against intruders.
as There is a proviso in the law lh
.c. allows the killing of animals al
It's birds for the protection of vineyard
k, and gardens, but this evidently 90
he not extend to quail, doves or lark
re but only to marauders. The law
. plainly and clearly drawn, and the
n is no way of evading its provisions.
# The whole game law is carefully e
Of planned tc the grand jurors at ea'
Ia- term of the court, and it is safe 10 st
to it will be properly enforced.