The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-06-11
WILL, ENFORCE CAMS LAWS.

Under the new law authorizing the
appointment of Deputy Game Pro.
tector in every county, the State
Board of Game Commissioners has
sent out the following notice to the
men appointed to fill that responsible
position:
"The forms prescribed by law
should be strictly followed in all cases
where that is possible, and no arrest
should be attempted either with or
without warrant, unless you are per-
fectly satisfied that there is just
cause for such action. The law as it
now stands prevents the placing Of
costs upon an officer, where the prose-
cutlon is brought IN good faith. This
is intended as protection to you.
The people OF the Commonwealth also
have rights that are TO be protected
and you should in no instance bring
suit unless you are morally certain the
party is guilty, and that he should be
convicted and that there is a fair
chance to so convict. The Game
Commission will not permit Its officers
to bring suits unjustly or for the pur-
pose of simply making costs, no mat
ter who may be compelled to pay
them. You have no right to settle
any case of violation of the game laws
unless the full penalty as prescribed
by the act of Assembly is paid. If any
person charged with violating the
game laws, shall feel disposed to pay
this penalty without prosecution, and
for the purpose o. saving costs, It
might be well fot you to accept same
and give a receipt therefor. Where it
is possible, and case is to any extent
complicated, we should be glad to
have you write this Office before
bringing suit. Where this is not pos
sible, as where parties are caught in
the act, we expect that you will use
your own judgment, with caution and
the fixed idea of justice to the &C
cused as well as to the Common
wealth in mind.
ave do not desire, and will not
permit the prosecution Of anyone for
what is known as securing satlsfac-
ton or for spite, yet the fact that In
formation comes TO you, of violation
of the game law through spite or a
desire to secure satisfaction, should
be no reason for your refusing to in
vestigate the charges made, or to ia y
to prosecute if you find said charges
true. You may have nothing to do
with the causes that prompted the in
formant to come to you. You will be
expected to treat all violators of tine
game law alike, showing no partiality
or any cause. We have no discretion
In these matters and you have none.
We have no power to grant privileges
and the same applies to you. You
are expected to use good common
sense in your work and be satisfied a
violation was knowingly and not
accidentally committed before you
prosecute. | do not mean by this
that the persons should know they
were violating the law, or that you
must be IN position to prove that
they knew they were so doing, before
you prosecute, for ignorance is no
excuse. What we want is, that you
be satisfied that the offense was com
mitted Intentionally, and that the
State has been injured thereby.
Your bond has been given to insure
the faithful performance of your duty.
Should you arrive at a point where
this cannot be done, we would suggest
that you at once resign and thus save
possible trouble to yourself and to US.
One of the rules of this Office is to
retain the name of an informer in
strict confidence, unless he be willing
to have it published. We frequently
meet people who are able and willing
to give valuable information, but who
prefer, for different reasons, not to be
known IN the matter. We caution
you to adopt the same rule and keep
it without variance.