The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-01
The EXped eucy OF the Game Laws,

Editor OF The Times
Sr:-Much has been written and very
much said about the law passed By our
last Legislature prohibiting the shooting
of cartridges I'm the State until January
J. 1898 ! nave nothing 10 say OF Us con-
stitutionality | leave that to the legal
fraternity. from from we have already
heard in an article in he The Times some
weeks ego from that learned lawyer, Mr.
JOnn Howard.
But the constitLtionality of a Jaw is not
its only feature; there Is the question OF
expediency. "All things are lawful. but
all things are not expedient." And a law
may be made concerning the constitution
ality of which there is not a Question. but
which is so ineXpedent as not only TO fail
Of execution, but also to damage the sane
tity of supremacy Of law In general. The
stamp Act. Q. <, was eminenty lawful,
from the British standpoint. but conse-
Quenccs proved II 10 be anything else but
expedient, and while | do not compare
the consequences which flowed from the
passage of the Stamp Act TO those which
may flow from the passage OF a game
law by our State Legislature. at the same
time ~ serves TO call attention TO the
point which | want TO make. II a law is
going to be easily enforced or indeed
enforced at ALL then II seems TO me II
ought To appeal TO the sense OF reason
and justice of the great mass Of the peo-
pie. The law, g. &, against theft. against
arson. against murder. makes such an
calls down upon himself the vengeance OF
the whole people The game law in ques-
ton not only makes no such appeal, but
on the contrary is looked upon by the
mass OF people as a veritable injustice.
Here is a man who during the severe win
ter went TO the expense and trouble OF
feeding the birds, buying traps TO protect
- ana otherwise caring
for them: here is another man who when
the birds were so killed out by the deep
a n
state. bought birds. kept them through
the winter and turned them out In the
spring upon his own lands. and now ar
ter these birds have multiplied and stock
ed these lands. the Legislature comes with
a law and says TO these men, You shall
not shoot these birds. 1t is true you
bought them, IL IL true you have fed
them at your expense and trouble. IL is
true they are on your lands, but you shall
not shoot them" Why2 Because. we
want these birds TO further increase and
multiply in order that number OF excel
lent and Well-mcaning gentlemen who 1--we
in the city and possess no land, may go
out and shoot them at their pleasure" |
am simply uttering the sentiment which
has been expressed in my hearing by more
than one farmer. Now, as a result of this
the birds are being shot right and left.
they are being shot by people In the coun-
try. they are being shot by people who
live In Richmond and served on their
tables. II there Is a county Judge IN viz
ginia who will allow man TO be fined
for shooting partridges | have not heard
OF him. | know OF one county judge who
said to young man, Shoot them; 1t
would not do for me as judge TO do IL.
but you can"
Now, the worst feature of the whole
thing Is this viz: the injury which must
be- done TO law in general. IL a measure
which the people consider SO unjust Is
passed by the Legislature and clothed
wits the sanctity and authority OF law
h measure which the people generally dis
regard and Justify themselves In disre-
garding, will IL not cause them TO have
a certain disregard for all law? VIII not
law In genera. lose Its authority for a
man when he breaks any particular law
nth impunity and Justifies himself and II