Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-03-31

fright " HIS cNI property etEN 60
grows or walks On it,
Now then. we appear to be autholi-
itatively informed what is the purpose
of those who are opposed TO our game
laws and the reason of their oppose
ton.
Now let US briefly examine into their
contention.
First, That on the northern borders
of the State growth in population mas
Leased in consequence of arbitrary ana
unjust laws for the protection of wliu
Ianimals." The wild animals referred
to are l suppose. moose, caribou ana
deer; the other wild animals protected
by our laws are beaver. mink, musk
rat, sable, fisher. rabbits. and, in one
lcounty. chipmunks-not a northern
county. however-and l assume that
deer alone are the only wild animals
referred TO as having caused increase
in population to cease on our northern
borders.
1t is difficult to see just how TINS
claim can be substantiated. The proof
seems to be the other way. 1t would
almost seem as though the presence of
| wild animals-Of deer and moOSe-has
tended to increase rather than TO de-
crease population ON our northern Dor
derS.
| Now Mr.. Gardner's proposition comes
down to this-to restrict the right to kill
game to the land Owner-in other words.
to rcturn to the odious conditions which
| prevailed in England. For the moment
| you make a law that the land owner
| owns everything that walks on mis- land
You make an end at once of our present
privileges to hunt. You would establish
| great game preserves for the rich alone.
| This is an entirely new doctrine IN the
State of Maine. and is Impossible OF real
| iZatlon. The wild game of the State IS
the property of the State-Of all the peo-
pie in the sovereign capacity. Nothing Is
better settled than this. 1t has heen so
settled by the United States supreme
court which anyone may read in the Unit
| ed States reports-Gcer W. Connecticut.
Vol. 161. page $40.
Now one paper prints. in what it calls
the platform of the farmers this same
demand made by Mr. Gardner and the
resolution of the State Grange. in these
words:
| Establish the fact that the birds that
fly and the wild game that roams in the
|
the State.
In other words, repeal the colonial or
dinancc above referred to, override. set
aside the decision of the highest tribunal
in this States and in the United States
permit no one but the owner of the land
to hunt on it without permission of the
land owner, with the inevitable result
that the poor people. the common. the
a ar al
Now word in closing.
If, as is asserted. our fish and game
having nothing to do with our vacation
list business. why was it that Hon. Thorn
as III. Wentworth formerly chairman OF
the commission, a gentleman of broad in
telligence and true patriotism. who scrv-
ed his country faithfully in the Civil
war. in his report in 1879 to the governor
ana council. said when the fish and
game are gone in Maine, the inland sum
mer travel goes with it. Our inland vii
lagos. our pleasant cottages upon the
shores of our many inland lakes will also
disappear; We have them with us now
; let us be wise and keep them
If the fish and game have nothing t.
do with our vacationists' business why
was It that our fathers, when they started
out to make of Maine great vacatio,
State. provided first Of all for the increas,
.. of fish and game by passing laws fol
their protection?
Why has every state and every country
that tries to share this business done the
same thing? Why does every railroad line
and every steamboat line in Maine, OF
that leads this way. spend SO much mon.
Il ;.,;, fL,
tons of our fish and game? Why is il
; that every hotel in our inland territory
that advertises, makes our fish and game
a prominent feature? Why are all tbs
cottages of non-residents who have come
to Maine and built a summer home. bull,
. on the shore of some beautiful lake OF
pond whereing is plenty of fish, or in the
wilderness where game is plenty?
Why does the far famed Poland Spring
house so advertise? Why does our es-
teemcd friend Parsons of Dead River
who FIRST started this senseless cry that
game would stop farming. advertise as
the great attraction of his hotel that 1t
is in the midst of the game region: Why
is it that the farm houses around our
inland waters. or on the borders of the
big woods. have the vast ma jority of the
vacationists? Why is it that my own
town has 100000 worth of summer homes
where there We're none Il few years ago?
| II is because Of the fish and game.
Mr.. Gardner, who lives on the coast,
will revise his opinion when he becomes
acquainted with the facts. one fact is
worth n good many theories.
| Mr.. Charles l.. Brace. the noted phil
anthropst of New York. as long ago as
1855 wrote: THE State of Maine is Won
dertully wise in its fish and game laws. -
In the language of one of Names for
mer commissioners. I'VE have the fish
and game with us now, let us be wise and
keep them
Don't monkey with a buzz saw. Let us
not kill the goose that lays the golden
egg Do not stay the stream of gold
flowing this way-that is Of such great
Importance to our people
l thank You for your invitation to adj
dress you and for your kind attention.
Hon. Warren G. Phlbrook Of Water
vile spoke as follows:
The preamble to the constitution of
Maine declares the objects sought, in
| I hn inc nf