The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-02-24
ABOUT BIRDS.
eouc Of the Inconsistencies of the
Legislature Pointed out.

yr George w. Mcclintic, OF Char
,,,o, writes as follows to the Gazette
q, that city;
DYour editorial this morning upon
.so question Of making the law effec-
i've 10 prevent the killing of the song
s,d oumage birds was timely. but It
ma not 20 far enough. Laws on tho
,,o,u,e books look well as q declaration
81 principles, but are not worth any
,.i,r unless enforced. The present ma
ss,rcry for enforcing the game laws
e s.,nnnts 10 nothing. There Is not n
..."5rded Instance of conviction there
Under in Kanawha or any adjoining
Sn,,rtr although the violations OF the
various sections must amount to, hun
Ads II not thousands, Of cases. rang
Inn from the arch-criminal, who dyna-
~. ..i.es tIsh 20 the thoughtless boy, who
Kills a red bird. Our able judge of the
S,.sul, court, who has served continue
o,slv upon the bench for nineteen
lars, in n statement before the judi
cl,ry committee of the house of dele
rates n few days since, said that in
all that time he had never had con-
TIrtion. although he had continuously
,ec,ured grand Jurors. prosecuting at
,arucys, sheriffs and all others whose
duty II may be to see to the enforce
mon, Of the laws OF the state.
II IS utterly useless to make any
ere laws unless. the legislature should
,lso provide some system of enforcing
,br jaws now on the statute books. The
las, legislature passed an act for
zane warden with no provisions as to
Tonutles and other necessary means OF
Enforcing the purposes Of the act and
the result has been that nothing was
dons as before. Some of us were
SonNful that this legislature would
amend the act and provide deputies and
same better machinery for that pur-
nose. but all hope went glmmering
vnen the senate. by vote of 16 to 4.
refused % pass bill carefully framed
with no Objectionable features in 1t
amer than 1t was for the purpose of
nrnyentIng and Furnishing the acts
which the same legislature bY solemn
enactment says are crimes.
II is shown by statistics collected
br legislative bodies and Others that
is per cent OF the song and plumage
birds have been slaughtered within the
iss, len YEATS. largely for the purpose
n The oraamentation OF our fair ladies'.
One wonders NJ the shortsiShted policy
AZ the farmers Of this state In not ris-
trg 10 and stopping this slaughter. on
account O. the great financial injury
,hat will BE- done TO them thereby. Yet
while there has been appeals from
them 10 protect the odoriferous skunk
On account Of his ability to devour grub
ynrns. beetles and other destructive
hugs and worms, not one word has been
heard from them In favor Of saving the
beautiful birds. which are much more
useful. as We'll as ornamental, for, the
same purposes. DIT
The state o. Massachusetts seems 10
have reached the root of the evil when
Il passed the act drafted by Senator
Hoar making Il q crime for any person
10 YEA. or have in his or her possess
ion any kind Of part of bird, the killing
Of which was prohibited by law. and it
DELEGATED the heart OF the bird lover to
read In the Boston papers some time
since that the policemen were enforcing
the act by the arrest Of persons vio-
!atrc that law without regard to sex
Or station In life. There Is much In our
legislature this session that appeals for
large and constantly increasing sums
a. money fer higher education by our
urivers!tr, our normal schools and 9TH
or schools, and for keeping and caring
Or tie insane. the lncurahlc. the deaf.
tn dunno. the blind and the vicious OF
the human species, by numerous per-
soas. many OF whom are ladies'. actu-
aisd Dy The highest motives, devoting
their time and talents to making pleas
aT;eT and clsier the pathway of the IN
.9GtUEate and afflicted. yet not word
Is said Tor the beautiful birds. which
add so greatly 20 the grace and charm
Of life in the country. the abiding place
e threc-!Ourths o: the people OF West
Virginia.
Taere is made to this legislature by
several charming women of our state
an appeal 10 create the West Virginia
Humane society" one OF the objects OF
Thlcl Is 10 prevent cruelty 10 animals
as well as to human beings, and there
- asked for It's agents large powers as
we'll IS 4 substantial appropriation, and
the indications are tina. the.appeal will
be heard. and thu powers and money
asked for be given. 1t therefore seems
that orerwOcked horses or under fed
cl"s need the fostering care of law, but
he song birds, the plumage birds and
to6f birds must be left to the tender
:n"reles o. owls. hawks, foxes, wild
cats and all their other natural enc.
MES 10 which are added the thought
!eSSHe;s OF boys, the cunning avarce of
mea and the yeprehensiolc and cruel
custom md style of ornamcntation
hh9"iAs!% used b. women. I. of course.
Keep ron these al! the members OF
"e Audubon society" and all those
~ sympathy herewith. who abide by
US principles. To them. and the good
%oFE they are doing. all praise Is due.
i9s tney In fact as well as,in5 name up
n'ia me traditional reputation of. wo-
n M!a Tor goodness and tenderness of