Daily Kennebec journal., 1895-01-30
FISH AND GAME.
Eloquent Argument on Need
of Protecting Them.
Senator Savage's important Amend
me1t Relating to Debt Limit.
Report on Eastern Maine Insane Hospital
Discussion Of Listing Bill.

~ ~
fish and game in this State, was held IL
Representatives hall, Tuesday afternoon.
1t was in all respects, as regards large
audience, the interest manifested by the
committee and the strength of the argu.
ments of the advocates of the desired leg
islation, all that could be desired.
Hon. l.. T. Carleton introduced the
several speakers, ana at the opening made
a few pertinent remarks, presenting the
matter to be heard He then introduced
Hon. W. W. Thomas, Jr, x-minister to
Sweden. Mr.. Thomas remarks were
listened to with the closest attention. He
said that the first time he set foot in
Sweden, he was impressed with the SINH
larity of country, aud its fish and game to
Names, and he was much pleased, be-
cause he considered Maine the best coun-
try in the world The thought occurred
to him that the fish and game which
thrived in Sweden would also thrive in
Maine, and he advocated the game birds
which he had secured for Mr. Gay. (Thc
birds were on exhibition in the hall.
They are the finest game birds in the
world, and the black game is the nearest
approach to the wild turkey of the
United States, he said. He described the
sport in Sweden. He thought the State
should aid in propagating and introduc-
ing these birds. He urged that the State
act literally in the matter OF appropria-
tion, for there is mine of wealth in our
fish and game resources.
President Gay of the Maine Game and
Protective Association made a good argu-
mcnt. He strongly advocated the intro
duction of the foreign game birds. He
said that the old methods of hunting are
in measure falling into disuse, the
fascinating sport of shooting on the wing
taking the place. The State should take
notice of this change and meet the de-
mands in this respect. He cited instances
where foreign game birds had been intro
duced successfully into this country.
His association had demonstrated the
practibilty of introducing these birds into
Maine and the need of State aid in the
undertaking. The increase in the num-
Der of visitors following such a work
would many times repay the outlay.
Hon. L. T. Carleton, who introduced
the speakers, said it had wrongly been
stated that the wild land owners of Maine
are hostile to this protection of our fish
and game He introduced one of the
largest wild land owners in the State
President Hersey of the Maine Fish and
Game Association, who made a strong
argument in favor of largely in
creased and liberal appropriation.
He thought the appropriation of $50, 600
exceedingly modest in comparison with
the magnitude of the interests to be pro
tected. He gave in support of his posi-
ton, quite exhaustive statistics. Penn
sylvania, for fish and game, appropriates
annually $4,000; New York state uses
1928, 900 for her fish and game interests !;
California gives ss5,000 even New
Hampshire, with its small area, appro-
pirates annually between $4,000 and
$40, 900. Plenty of wardens can be
found who can't be trusted, but faithful,
fearless and incorruptibie men are needed
for these positions, and they must be paid
for their services. Mr.. Hersey presented
facts showing the great Illegal slaughter
OF fish and game in this state. In 1858,
when our woods and streams teemed with
game and fish, and when there was not
one hunter to 800 hunters now, then
there seemed no need of protection. He
referred to the fact that IL St Francis
Indians killed, that winter. 600 moose,
simply for their hides. A few years
later, in the same territory, but two
moose were killed. Moose became very
scarce The need of protection became
apparent to the people of our State. II
positively know, said Mr.. Hersey, "that
today there are on the shores of one of
our lakes five noble moose, their
carcasses rotting, killed in wanton
spirit. The carcasses of many caribou
are strewn through the woods. = He
knew that 80 COW moose had been
legitimately killed this season. In
1894 a party of 12 slaughtered 81 deer
in the deep snow of swamp, killed just
for sport. Mr.. Hersey said he could
fully substantiate these and many other
facts showing wanton slaughter and fire.
qucnt violations of the law The over
whelming need is wardens of character
whose duty is ever before them, who can
not be bought, who will be able to fur
nish good bond to faithfully perform
their duties.
Mr.. Hersey said that now is a critical
period for the fish and game interests.
CONTINUED on 3d page