The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-02-06
OPPOSE SALE OF
GAME PRIVILEGE
MINNESOTANS DISAPPROVE f. III
MOUITON'S SCHEME.
Strong Sentiment Against Restriction
of Hunting Rights to the more Well
to Do is EXpressed-Plea for the
Farmer Who Likes to Shoot Oc-
CaSionally.

Long Lake, Feb 4.-To the Sporting
Editor of The Journal: In the Jan. 16 is
sue of # h ourna there was con-
tribution written by a Mr. Moulton, who
discusses the game question and strongly
recommends the adoption here of the
German method of dividing the country
into communes or townships and selling
the hunting privileges once in every seven
years to the highest bidders.' "Of course"
he says 1.-THE German system does not
apply to large estates which remain the
private preserves of the owners, even
( 100 acres are exempt from preservation"
but as the smaller landholders are not
worth considering in the matter the line
IS drawn here, for as Mr.. Moulton sagely
observes, lat best hunting is a game for
the more well-to-do."
Certainly, and the time seems ripe now
for them to extend their privileges, for
surely the small peasant proprietors
have no rights or privileges they would not
or could not be made to sell for money
Another excellent feature OF this system
according to Mr.. Moulton is the employ
ment of gamekeepers whom he particular
~ describes as mounted and armed with
sword, pistol and carbine." One can i'm
agine the fear and awe such a martial
figure would inspire among the less well
to-do." Rather would they suffer the
cottontails to destroy their last fruit tree
than incur the hostility of this formidable
by laying q tax Of IS per year on every
gun in the county.
This latter plan seems to be an original
and brilliant conception of Mr.. Moulton
and Is just what is needed in this scheme
as 1t would result in few years in dis
arming all but the more well-to- do"
Now the farmer-hunter, the armed rustic.
ever since his evolution into the English
yeoman, has generally, when he resorted
to arms been found opposing the more
we'll to-do.' He furnished Cromwels
1ronsides-he was the chief factor in the
American revolution-again he appeared
Mt New Orleans under Jackson. Military
men credit him with furnishing largely the
most effective soldiers in rebellion and
lately he showed in the Boer war ''The
might that 5lunnbers in the peasants arm"
Altogether 1t would seem to be the part
Of prudence to disarm him. so that in
the future he will not be a menace to the
more well-to-do' in any plan which they
may see fit to project, to enlarge their
pleasures and privileges OF course our
constitution says something about not in
Sringing the peoples right to carry arms,
but surely the supreme court could be re-
lied on to give favorable Interpretation
to this. =
BY all means let us have this German
plan, and '1ese majesty too, so modified
that It will protect the dignity Of the
more well-tO do from any assaults verbal
or otherwise. which the less WELT do
might be inclined to indulge in. ILL.,
j. H. Lydard.
Minneapolis. FEB. 5-Sporting Editor of
The Journal: I am a poor, insignificant
farmer from North Dakota, who likes to
hunt as we'll as anybody.
When I read the article in your paper
Of Jan. 16, quoting e. H Moulton, regard
Ing hunting privileges, it appeared to me
as about the nearest thing to a freeze out
for the poor sportsman anything I ever
read.
Farmers give plan support" Indeed
I'd like to see community Of farmers in
this country give such law enthusiastic
support
Mr. MouIton wants to impose tax of IS
on each gun in the county, to pay the
game warden. On such guns as T can af
ford to keep (1O-nch) that would almost
amount to confiscation. On gun such
as most men have, who would be able to
buy q district, a IS tax would only be
about rs mills. quite q difference you will
notice.
I believe If our game wardens would
arrest every man who is caught killing
game unlawfully, and a good heavy fine
were imposed and turned in to the school
or road fund, it would reduce the farme rs'
taxes just az much as selling his right to
shoot game in season.
For my part + like the American way
first rate I think farmer ought to have
full control over his farm, without making
any special request to have it reserved.
OF course, If the men with, or behind the
gun in time of peace, are going to be
limited to the rich and their friends, then
say by all means, enact such a law as
Mr.. Moulton suggests. would like to see
them try and pass that law under the
initiative and referendum.
I poor E,o m, az