The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-01-17

On March l6, l9O1. there went IN
to effect the statute creating the
Audubon society of South Carolina,
with powers of State game and fish
commission. On April 9, the incor-
porators held meeting in Columbia
and the following officers were elec-
ed:
President. B. F. Taylor.
Vice president, DR.. H. N. Snyder.
Temporary secretary, George S.
HeYWard.
Treasurer. A. R. Hayward, Jr.
The following were elected to con-
stitute the board of directors:
Neils Christensen, Beaufort; o. b.
Martin, Columbia; DR.. P. N. Nell,
Clemson College; C. P. Wra,. Ridge,
way. D. H. Coker, Hartsville; Mrs.
Augustine Smythe, Charleston; A.
F. Lever, Lexington, and R. |. Man
ming, Sumter.
Immediately after the meeting the
president began gathering all intor-
nation available regarding the exact
condition of game and fish protection
in the State. He soon ascertalned
that in many sections but slight at
tention was paid to any Of the game
and fish protective laws. Game birds
and deer were constantly killed out
of season, and in some quarters a
large traffic of their dead bodies was
carried on for market purposes. Fish
were being slaughtered in immense
numbers by means Of traps and dy-
Mantle. Song birds were shot indls
criminately and many were trapped
to be shipped North. The beautiful
sea-birds, which nest in colonies
along the coast, were constantly rob-
bed of their eggs each summer. The
license law, which formerly required
every nonresident hunter to pay S25
for shooting license, had been sys.
.tematically avoided. Under the old
law IA county game wardens had
been appointed. Letters to all these
wardens brought out the fact that,
owing to inadequate pay, lack Of
State supervision, and for other
causes, they had been practically in
active, one of them only reporting
two convictions for violation of the
game laws for the year previous. On
the other hand from all over the
State letters began to pour in asking
for him from the Audubon society,
showing that large numbers of peo-
ple were interested in bird and fish
protection, and hailed with much JOY
the fact that the State had at length
taken an interest in preserving these
valuable assets to the commonwealth.
One of the first things to claim the
attention of the Audubon society was
the publication in pamphlet form of
the State game law known as the
Audubon law" Fifteen hundred
copies were printed and distributed
throughout South Carolina and the
more important features have been
printed frequently in the public
press of the State. The importance
of this work can hardly be underes-
timated, as there is no doubt that
many people violate the game laws
through ignorance Of the statutes.
More than 5000 pamphlets. with
plates showing the wild birds in their
natural colors, have been distributed
in the schools, among farmers and
elsewhere. These were furnished by
Mr.. William butcher, president of
the National Association of Audubon
Societies.
The work of revising and enlarg-
ing the warden force at once began.
Some of the officers who displayed
most interest were recommissloned
by the government as State wardens.
and number of additions have been
made. The following is list of the
names of wardens appointed and
serving up to December Is, 1907.
]. E. Rutledge. Lancaster; George
A. Malloy, Cheraw; w. L. Samson,
Cross Keys; George w. Hazard, Cat
Island; William Elliott. Yemasee; D.
]. Salley, Orangeburg: William Ly-
kes, Lykesland; S. M. Rice, IT., (E.
w. Union; John N. Bates, Spartan
uurg; John D. W. Watts, Laurens;
j, H. Robinson, Greenville; John
Weiking, Charleston; Haitian p.
Kremser, South Island; Victor 2.
Thelming, McClellanville; Theo. S.
Johansen, Frogmore; Charles Ander-
son, Port Royal, Richard Stone
bridge, Savannah, Ga; E. Y. Fergu-
son, Enoree; E. A. Sessions, Ridge
w Milcnn Cnnuau. Frank