Roseburg review. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 1885-1920, 1886-12-10
THE GAME LANA FEW Words

''close season, for all kinds of deer-1t is
close now for male deer, elk ETC., we think a
few remarks on the proper observation of the
game law will be in place.
OF late years, in some portions Of the coun-
try, the game law has been dead letter; no
attention whatever IS paid to it by certain
classes, more or less lawless IN their conduct
other ways, and by few would be respecta-
| bic members Of society who would hold up
their hands in holy horror if ii should be in
| timated to them, ever so widely, that they
were transgressors against the rights OF their
law abiding neighbors. We have good game
laws gotten up by talented men, sports
men and gentlemen, who have given the sub
| ject much thought and modified and amended
| them from time TO time to meet the appreciation
of certain classes who cry out at the injustice
Of anything that docs not permit the wholesale
slaughter Of game at all times and places we
have these laws and it is not hardship to any
one to live under and observe them, and it be-
hooves every citizen TO do his utmost to see
that they are observed, for public opinion
will have more tendency to drive il out than
all the sheriffs and constables in christendom.
A true sportsman is a man who needs no
game law 10 govern his actions for there is an
unwrltten lava law of humanity-that he
will not transgress The game law is made for
certain individuals who recognize no law
human or divine and observe none only through
fear of the consequence if transgressed. For
such as these the game law has a better taste.
A man that will kill mother doe, or shoot
a mother bird off her nest-game law or no
game LAWS miserable wretch and no ap-
peal that can becmade to his manhood or self
respect will be needed
1t is strange that men we'll respected by
their quaintenccs, and having most ofthe ac
complishments that makea passable man in
other respects are lax in this one thing and
continue to slap this law in the face with the
most brazen ehrontry.
At the meeting Of the next legislature there
will be an attempt made by the game butchers
to have the present game law repealed. As
an inducement to the farmers to lend it their
help, it will be claimed that the present law
favors the city sportsmen as it allows them to
hunt when the farmer is bnsy and when the
farmer is at leisure it is close season and he
can't hunt. The farmer is amply protected by
/ the lresspass law and they will regret it when
too late, if they give their support to these
game butchers for with the law as it is the
game Is being wantonly wasted at a terrific
rate. Let US keep the present law as it is andf
demand rigid enforcement Of it regardless
whom it strikes-friend or foe.
A late number of the American Field, kind
! ly furnished us, has an able article on the
treatment Of the game law breakers should
receive. The way the editor Of that paper
comes OUT takes his stand and hoists his colors
and calls spade spade, is a pleasing thing
to see.
''It is matter of great regret that with
each returning season there should come the
same reports Of game killed off before the
opening day, for great regret that men who as
good citizens respect the laws. should by their
manl1ness lose their sport; but, bad as this is,
it is nothing in comparison with the disgrace
full fact that among those guilty Of this dirty
work may be found men who hold the position
Of gentlemen and stand we'll in the eyes Of
the public. 1t is bad enough for set Of fel
lows ignorant and with neither social nor
moral standing to make them respected to
sneak out, and in the most cowardly manner
outrage public rights; but nothing better can
be expected from them for they are the
meanest of society and from their ranks are
drawn the pickpockets, sneak thieves and
bar-room beats whose names hguresi in police
court records and commitments to the Peni-
Tertiary. Such men make much pretcntions
to deccncy and are taken at their own ap-
praisal by the public If they claimed respect
their pretentions would be received with scorn
for they and their associates are out casts with
whom respectable people can have no deal
: ings or sympathy There Is nothing to en-
| force men into association or equality with
such fellows. Those who seek them do so
r voluntarily, and because their tastes are kin
dred..and their pursuits are alike. Those guilty
, | ty OF the same acts sink themselves TO the
same level no matter how great pretcntion!
, TO positions may be made and recognized II
other respects. A law breakeris a law break
er, and thief is thief whether IN broas
cloth or rags, both are alike amenable at th'
bar OF justice and the rich thief who pays hi
fine IS no more respectable, no more worth,
of admission into decent society than the poo
' one who goes to Jail to work his out. Thes
= are simple facts and no buster by those whc
strive to evade the penalty of their dirty worl
can change them.
8 Game is the property of the state, AMI HI
. who takes it unlawiuly, be hepretending gen
,, tleman or unpretending loafer is theft a
truly as if he stole the same value in coin iron
the state treasury. 1t is idle TO sneer at sucl
language as inaplcable to $50 triling mat
ter as killing few birds out Of season. 1t i
applicable and nothing more than plail
statement OF facts. That it hits hard some o
whom such things ought not to be said is no
- our fault, we do not make them offenders anc
we simply speak Of the acts they have know
ingly and wilfu!ly committed unneccessar,
terms. Ii they do mot like such expression
they can avoid them by giving no cause TO
them, but they need not think they can b
thieves and expect us to regard them as gen
+ tlemen.
e For unlawful killing of game we have law
that impose fines, but something more thai
mere money forfeiture is needed. 1t Is an evi
q of legislation that its burdens fall unequall
II in many cases, according to the pecuniary Gil
cumstances Of those who incur penalties. Th
poor man finds ii difficult to pay fine that
:, mere bagatelle for the rich man.
By the harsh judgment of the world tn
poor are condemned while the rlch are relI