The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-04-16
THE VETO CRITICISED.

Ed. PILOT:-Wisconsin sportsmen will
learn with deep regret of the action of
Gov. Rusk in his veto yesterday of the
bill for the appointment of fish and game
protectors, and the thousands that had
watched with interest the progress of
this measure and at each favorrble turn,
thought they saw the dawn of better
game protection, will, under Gov. Rusk S
decisions at least, find that it is hard to
enact laws that will lend any great amount
of aid in the matter, and at the same
time not conflict with the law or public
policy" as Gov. Rusk terms it. Why
Gov. Rusk should veto bill prohibiting
shipments out of the state in 1885 and
approve of such an act in 1888 as he did,
under the pretext that it conflicts with
the laws respecting inter state commerce
is something which needs explanation.
By referring to chapter 299 of the
laws of 1883, it will readily be seen that
Gov. Rusk approved then of an act he
now claims to be uncon stitutional
A second objection, that person can
not be made liable for having game in
possession during the close season, is too
ridiculous to receive much heed. When
convictions can only be obtained when
eye witnesses to the very act of killing
can be produced, the matter of protect
ing game had better be given up as a
lost cause. AS long as Governor
Rusk occupies the position of governor,
we have no reason to expect anything in
the matter of protection, better than
what we now have which is strictly
speaking, nothing. The laws of New
York will fully bear ont the statement
that person can by Legislative enact.
ments be made liable to penalty for the
possession of game during the close
period, Is penalties have time and again
bean e1acted in New York for such an
offense and one case came under our per-
sonal notice where fine of 50, 500 was
eIacted and paid for the illegal possess
ion of barrel of quail. By those best
posted the belief is freely expressed that
Gov. Rusk has permitted himself to be
made the tool of a few Milwaukeeans who
endorsed the bill so long as they had
reason to believe that the use of hounds
would be permitted in hunting (rather
slaughtering) deer, but who when the
bill passed the assembly prohibiting
their use, swore they could and would
Kill the bill in the senate; however, the
senate was not to be made the tool of
anybody, and passed the bill as good
sound judgement taught them. Thus the
hlilwaukeeans defeated as they fairly
were, robed themselves under the cloak
OF the constitution and proceed to sx-
pound it to Gov. Rnsk in such a manner
that a number are asking ''whers did
Gov. Rusk learn 80 much regarding the
constitution" while all of the "gibber"
about the constitutionality of the bill
was really whether the use of dogs should
be prohibited or allowed. We cannot
say whether Gov. Rusk, by satisfying
the Ideas of few, sought to benefit his
political outlook or whether through his
meager knowledge of the laws, permit
ted himself to be STUFFED" by swallow
mo bodily the whole constitution of the
United States as expounded in very
brief period by few of Milwaukees
best. If the former, he will find that
he has chosen the wrong side of the
ditch, and if the latter, be is not fit
person to trust with the powers Of al
executive.