The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-15
y . STAFF CORRESPONDENT.

BY A STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Springfield ILL.,, March li.-lf the bill pre-
pared by the House Committee on Fish and
Game Is enacted. as probably 1t will be.
Illinois for the first time will be well pro-
terted in this respect. Its fields again will
become famous for the prairie chicken,
now exceeding scarce whereas once they
Were very numerous.
THE law is practically the duplicate of
that now in operation in Wisconsin, Mime
sofa and the Dakotas. Ii aims particularly
10 stop the reckless slaughter of game for
The market. Such heartless destruction OF
the wild fowl is strictly prohibited and
heavy penalties are provided for the trans
Iression of the law.
Perhaps the strongest feature of the bill,
and that which will operate toward its en-
fprcement, is that establishing Il fund with
which TO pay game wardens and provide
drds for stocking purposes. This fund is
10 be raised by requiring n license of 81
!tar per gun by each sportsman and those
who benefit by game protection.
not 10 the resident farmer. The latter and
his dependents may hunt upon their own
lands and are not required to pay the fees.
Changes in the present law are considered
necessary by both the farmers and the
sportsmen. Quail are put on the protected
list with the exception of forty days in the
Year. from November 10 TO December 20.
Prairie chickens are protected for four
years. from July next. The fields are to
be stocked again with the bird, and 1t IS ex-
of protection the chicken will again be
abundant.
The killing of wild geese. brant and ducks
Tor commercial purposes is forbidden IN
the same way that the existing law fo-hids
the sale of quail. prairie chicken and squir-
rel. The came which one person may XII
In day. is limited to fifty ducks or TO
Twenty-Five snipe or quail
Ten game wardens of the State are pro-
vlded who shall receive regular salary and
travelling expenses, and who. the bill re-
elites. shall be appointed with regard 10 eff
Gent service. and not To political influence
They are to devote their entire time to
The work. under the direction Of the s ate
Game Commissioner. 1t will be their duty
10 protect the farms and lands from tres
passets such as on saturdays and SIrfays
blaze away at anything wearing hair or
feathers and annoy the farmer by leav-
ing his gates open and fences down.
T., The fIe,,, sIaushier Of ducks a,one ,ne rivers
To the Eastern market. has reused the
,portsmen of the State TO seek this acton.
A bag limit is now on the statute books
but Is not observed.
To strike at the sale of game will more
ehectually prevent the slaughter. and il is
this provision which II is desired especially
10 pass and enforce.
Speaker Miller called the Republican
members members Of the judicial Airport onment
and talked over the various propositions
locking toward redistricting the Southern
J.lEois circuits lie announced at the con-
cusion OF the session that prospects Of an
agreement were much increased
The members of the committee are not so
willing to admit that the outlook is so
bright. Each wants Egypt staked out 10
suit himself. but they do net look at the
mater from the same point OF view
Ehe Speaker will hold another such meet
ing Tuesday. at which he expects to caio.e
and coerce, his fellow Representatives from
the southern territory into accepting some
compromise. Judge Turner of h'ayette now
has bill in the House Other measures
caAnot well be introduced in the House. as
the time limit has expired. But TIE Turner
bT could easily be amended. to suit. II any
arrangement could be found which would