The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-11-11

WasteIuiiy). SO may they continue TO
possess and enjoy them. But IL they
continue to waste these royal posses
sions. then the heritage OF the fathers
will shortly cease to exist. and too
late the people will find that royal
prerogatives may be possessed for any
length Of time only by wise foresight
and prudent use. Democracy is.
therefore. on trial. If is the overshad-
owing issue before every party. the
nnal question in every State.
It 10 the hope Of tho Audubon So
ciety that men in charge Of the States
affairs. having devolved on them the
solemn responsibility Of caring for the
States welfare and OF conserving its
resources. may discharge that respon-
sibility like men. The clamor of the
idle. the needless and tho vicious,
should not be permitted to obscure
this fact.
ever been framed or that can be
framed to justify the waste Of re-
sources. One generation has no NOR
al right to destroy what Of right be-
longs to all generations. 1t should be
the ambition Of every man to leave
tho State in - good condition as he
found 1t. to say the least.
Wherefore. with two years practi-
cal experience In an untried field, the
Audubon Society Of South Carolina.
chartered by the General Assembly OF
the State and composed Of the States
citizens. and so recommends to the
citizens. finds that the system Of hunt
ing license. in general use throughout
this and other countries, Is the best
way to raise revenue for the protec-
ton Of birds. game and Ash the best
way to give proper protection to
property; the best way to ensure the
perpetuity Of the bird. fish and game
supply OF the State for the use Of its
citizens. and so recommends to the
General Assembly.
A little reflection will show that the
Society seeks nothing for itself. The
money collected does not go to the
Audubon Society. and never can. The
Society is supported by its members,
and intends to spend every dollar it
can collect from these members in ed
ucating the people to the value Of
bird life to the world
Having a serious public duty and
responsibility laid on it by the Cen
eral Assembly. 1t has sought to meas
ure up to both duty and responsibility.
The gamer will be the State. and.
therefore. all its people.
The man who is killing the game
and catching the fish ought to be re-
quired to contribute something to-
wards preserving these things, and
the amount required is very small
so small that any man that can afford
the luxury of hunting and fishing can
afford to pay It,
In order that such work Of enforc-
ing the laws might be carried on with
out embarrassment to the Society, at
its annual meeting last week the Au-
dubon Society recommended the ap-
pointment of a Game and Fish Com
missioner, who shall have charge of
enforcing the laws, his pay to come
from the Game Protection Fund, and
be no tax on the State Treasury.
The Society recommended that the
Commissioner be nominated by the
Audubon Society and appointed by
the Governor, by and with the advice
and consent Of the Senate, thus fur,
nishing every needed check and keep
ing the work absolutely divorced from
politics.
Every citizen Of the State should
give this matter his serious attention
and see that it is acted on by his
Representatives in the General As
sembly.
The Audubon Society, without
money and with limited powers. and
with mixed and confusing laws to
handle, has shown what can be done.
South Carolina is revolutionized al
ready; 1T merely remains for the peo-
pie to reap the reward, to secure the
fruit Of that work Tor themselves and
their children henceforth and forever
more.
James Henry Rice, Jr.,
Secretary.