St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-03-23


state with better
laws for protection of game. Senator
GeisSel lives in portion of Minnesota
thar suffers greatly from violation of
these laws and for that reason he is
one Of the best authorities on the sub
Ject. In discussing this subject yeSter
day he said:
The present situation with reference
to fish and game in Minnesota is such
that in default of prompt action towards
the enforcement OF present existing
laws, the fish and game of the state will
be very soon totally eXterminated. It
is fact we'll known to all careful OBJ
servers Of such matters that these laws
are disregarded and treated with con-
tempt in every county of the state, and
why?
Not because the laws are unfair, I'M
just or inequitable. but for the reason
that 10 adequate means or system is
provided for enforcing the laws prOvid-
ed by the wisdom of our legislatures.
In each community are some who make
no ScruDle of violating laws that are not
enforced; others, Directing to loss of
their fair opportunities at the hands of
the lawless, soon become iawbreakers
III Self-defenSe. and so it tends to a
struggle as to who shall commit the
greater depreciation.
AS 4 rule every large lake and many
smaller ones are fished illegally; the
smaller streams are filled with traps. in
which tons of fish are caught and
thrown into market, the markets of the
state being to-day full of fish bearing no
mark Of hook or spear. Hundreds of
tons of Minnesota fish, illegally taken,
are each year shipped to the great mar
kets OF Chicago, st. Louis, Kansas City
and other points. until it seems a self
evident fact that this traffic must una
VOidably result in utter and absolute
loss of our heretofore bOuntifui supply
OF fish. upon which the state has so
prided itself in the past.
" The laws prOvIdingifOr erection Of
fishways in all dams are more honored
in the breach than the observance
thereof, and SEEMING of fish is an in
fraction of law which is prevalent ali
over the state. Moose. deer and all
kinds Of small game are killed, trapped
and taken without regard to the time OF
manner in which the law provides they
may be. lDfractiOns of the game laws
are numerous and in a high degree con-
tdgiOuS, and complaints are frequent in
regard to these violations all over the
state. Yet the authorities do not act.
Why they do not and will not. each indi-
''All this. if true-and no one will be
found to deny Indicates plainly and
clearly that the present system is mad
eQuate TO our needs. A fair admins
tratiOn Of justice requires the laws to be
enforced upon all alike-eQually and
without favor. No criticism of present
fish and game laws is made charging
untairnesS or injustice; OH the contrary,
such laws appearing on our statute
books are wise. fair. Just and equitable;
and. except possibly some minor or I'M
Important changes, there is little need
of amendment: the only necessity. and
the great one, is 10 enforce the laws we
have.
In the past, different pleas have been
reSOrted to. In 1885, there was passed a
law by which the governor appointed a
game warden. without compensation:
and although the appointee was all that
could be asked, the plan was a complete
failure for the reason that no man can
give his time to the state without either
compensation or the return of his nee
eSsary expenses. In 1889 there was
adopted the plan of constituting the DO
lice and cOnstabulaTy ex-officio game
wardenS, with no chief or responsible
head. This last has proved as much a
failure as the first mentioned, and for
evident reasons.
The several boards of fish commits
SIOners have been expected to devote
their attention mainly to the DrODaga-
ton of fish. and not to the laws protect
Inc the existing supply, and under the
present laws the powers of the fish COM
mission are not adequate to the enforce
ment of the laws. The bill now under
consideration contemplates combining
both these great interests. identical in
general nature if not in details OF man
agement. under control of .one BODY of
gentlemen, to be selected with regard to
equal representation from the different
districts of the state: the idea prevail
ing has been to free the board from the
complication of politics, and enable it
to perform Its duties with an eve single
to the interests of the whole state. This
idea carried out involves the retaining
OF a competent warden during good
behavior and competence: and such
warden as is required is worth. in any
business relation, the amount fixed as
salary IN the bill. The appropriation as
fixed. probably will be adequate to the
legitimate needs of the law, if
it shall become one. and by COM
parison with the magnitude of the in
terestS te be conserved, it is a mere
nothing. As mere business policy it
must be admitted that the states fish
and game induce the annual expeudi-
ture of at least ten times the amount of
this appropriation by visitors from other
states. Is this not benefit to be sought
and retained? And again. this benefit
is one whose growth can and will be
promoted and extended by wise man
agement. Without such management
and care the financial benefits now en-
joyed will gradually decrease and finally
be entirely lost.
The great state of Illinois is now
moving Ill the direction outlined in this
bill. and a movement is in progress
looking TO the establishment of uniform
fish and game laws throughout all the
states of the Union. These facts indi-
cate that the Importance of the subject
is becoming more highly and generally
appreciated by well-informed and think
Ing citizens from year to year.
For the great state of Minnesota to
longer neglect its interests in this di-
rection is to forego and abandon adj
vantages conferred upon it by nature
and the Almighty, to the inevitable re-
gret of all intelligent citizens"
The Seal Proclamation.