The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1908-12-03
THURSDAY. DECEMBER 3, LOS.
is THE STATE GAME WARDEN
ASLEEP.

1t is reported that the State Game
Warden remains in seclusion at his
home in Berlin, down in the lower part
of the Eastern Shore, while the game
laws are fiagrantly, openly and con-
temptuouslV violated, and the game is
being eXterminated or driven out of the
State The Constitution requires that
the Governor "shall take care that the
laws are faithfully executed" That is
his chief duty. The game laws are
strict and definite, and IN many respects
are important. The State Game War
den is the agency under the Governor
for the enforcement of these, laws.
The State appropriates money for the
support of the Game Warden and clothes
him with the necessary authority. If
the laws cannot be enforced then the
money paid to the Game Warden is
money wasted and the Office should be
abolished. 1t certainly is not intended
to be a sinecure and should not be per-
mitted to become one. If the enforce
ment of the laws is possible, and the
present Warden can not or will not en-
force them, then the responsibility is on
the Governor. He is required by the
Constitution to take care that the laws
are enforced, and he should do it.
The State Game Warden is appointed
by the Governor for a term of two
years. His salary is 81, 200 year, and
he is allowed $500 a year additional for
travelling and other expenses. When
ever he shall dem it necessary, he
shall have deputy game wardens APP
pointed to assist him in more efficient
ly enforcing the game and fish laws Of
the State" He has the right to desig
nate such deputies, and if his selections
are approved by the Governor they are
commissioned. These deputies are paid
out of the fines collected from persons
convicted of violations of the game laws.
1t is one of the chief duties of the
State Game Warden ito obtain inform
alton as to all violations of the game
and fish laws and to prosecute all per
sons and corporations having in their
possession any game or fish contrary to
either the general or local game or fish
laws of the State"
If information has reached the Game
Warden of violations of the game laws,
it has probably had to go in search of
him. For while he is secluding himself
at Berlin, the wild ducks in the upper
bay and elsewhere, according to reports
from various quarters, are being slaugh-
tered, contrary to law, or are being
driven from their feeding grounds by
methods which are prohibited by law.
Wild geese, swans and, in fact, all
waterfowl are being eXterminated, it is
said, bv lawless pot-hunters, and, as
far as we can learn, the Game Warden
is not lifting his hand to protect them
The protection of wild fowl, fish and
other game is not matter that inter-
ests the sportsman or pleasure-seeker
alone. Ever since the first settlement
of the State the wild fowls upon our
waters have furnished delicious food to
the people, and the taking Of them has
given profitable employment to great
numbers of persons. Many people have
money invested in ducking shores, in
clubhouses and other property, all of
which will become yalueless when the
game shall have been eXterminated.
The law authorizes the Govern or to
remove the Game Warden at any time
upon proof satisfactory to him that he
is not vigorously enforcing the game
laws or the fish laws of the State, or is
not a fit person for the position. Is it
not the duty or the Governor, in view of
of the general complaint on the subject,
to make inquiry as to whether or not
the Game Warden is enforcing the
game and fish laws of the State? And
if, upon inquiry, he finds he is not doing
his duty, he should either see that he
does so, or take such actions as will eff
fectually protect the important inter-
ests in question from further injury.
A game warden who does not enforce
the game laws, and who makes no eff
fort to enforce them may be very es-
timable gentleman in private life, but
he has no right to be filling public
office and drawing an official salary.
Like little Boy Blue, the Game Warden
appears to be fast asleep under his hay
stack in Berlin, while the pot-hunters
and the lawbreakers are devastating
the richest game district of the State. -
Baltimore Sun.