Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-03-01
scntatlon Of reputable physicians
certificate that he is unable to do SO.
GAME LAWS.
Bill to Amend Them
Under Consideration.
Farmers and Sporlsmen Give Both
Sides.
Especial Correspondence.)

enactment Of law which will give
adequate protection to game in tho
state, granted hearing on Wednesday
evening to representatives Of the state
fish and game commission, farmers
and sportsmen. Arguments were pre-
sented by each of the three classes.
Ex-senator George rallom of Athens,
president OF the state commission, pre-
sented bill prepared by the commits
sion. He spoke OF the difficulty Of en-
forcing the game laws and the ahso-
Lutte necessity that some means be de-
vised by which they can be enforced,
IL the game is to be protected.
The bill makes all game wardens dep
uty state wardens and divides the state
into certain police districts. Tie main
provisions Of the bills already introduc-
cd IN the Legislature, amending sections
of existing laws by including addition
al sorts of game, are embodied in the
opening sections. The length Of the
open season is not changed. 1t shall
be unlawful to hunt upon another's
lands, but prosecution shall be institute
ed only upon complaint of the owner.
1t shall be unlawful to deliver or to
receive for transportation any game,
unless the sale Is plainly labeled. Non
residents must procure from game
commissioners licenses to hunt in Ohio.
Fish shall not be caught with any
device save hook and line, except that
fish of the sucker variety may be taken
with gig, spear or grad hooks, in the
back waters of the Ohio river. The PEN
atty for trespassing is fixed, for the
| first offense, at not less than $40 fine
or more than 800, and for Il subse-
quent offenses not less than SO or
more than 5000.
DIR. W. l. Chamberlain of Hudson,
O., editor Of the Ohio Farmer, was the
first speaker for the farmers. He said
that the interests of the farmer and
the true sportsman are identical and
he roundly scored the pot-hunter, the
irresistible person. who shoots every
thing he secs. The remedy for exist
ing evils lies in the uniting of the
sportsmen with the farmers. He en-
phasized the fact that tho farms be-
long to their owners and that strangers
have no right to trespass upon them.
He advocated heavy fine for tres
passing and said that the appearance
of stranger with II gun upon farm
should BE presumptivc proof of hunt
ing. The decision of the Justices
court should be final, as now. No
posting of notices should he required.
All birds should be protected. The
open season should be shortened for
all game, TO 30 days. DR.. Chamberlain
expressed strong opposition to the pro-
lection of skunks, chipmunks, rabbits
and gophers. He finds nothing to ud-
mire IN the dog.
Seth III. Ellis of aWrren county, Rep.
resentative Gear of Wyandot, II. IL.
Wallace of Ross, all took the farmers
view of the question. Each advocated
very brief open season, and urged
the protection of quail and song-birds
and urged the necessity of prompt pun
ishmept of irresponsible hunters. Great
stress was laid upon the advisabllity
Of requiring that all sportsmen be
given authority in writing before hunt
ing upon other peoples farms.
Il. II. Scitner Of Dayton, representing
the Fish and Game Protective club,
spoke for the sportsmen. He said that
the main trouble Is that the present
laws with respect TO trcspassing are
not enforced. He argreed with the
farmers in almost everything they ad
vocated. He urged that the open sea
son be shortened to 3ia months. Like
Dr.. Chamberlain, he said that the true
sl.orssmalSe interests are identical
with those OF the farmer und urget
that the present laws be enforced.
Thomas Kecler of West Salem alsC
: spoke in the interests of the hunters
Like true sportsman, he took exccp
tions to DR.. Chamberlain's rcinark'
derogatory to the dog aud his eloquen
words called forth considerable ap
plause rhe ignorance Of some o
the gentlemen present With respect I,
the difference between bird dog an,
# yellow one, as exhibited In question
asked the speaker and protests agains
some OF his statements, were highl
amusing. He urged the committee I
y ron slider tho question heforp them wifi