St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1909-08-14

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thoroughly demonstrates that fact,
game has become depleted. Local
control has been il existence il this
State in different forms since 1877.
It il the law with reference to her
now, and where are the deer? Only
those parishes with great stretches of
marsh land and great swamps and cane
brakes can any be found. There is
a reason why this is so. We have in
this State sixty parishes, the police
iuries Of which have different opinion,
therefore, the best you can hope for
would be sixty different laws in the
State.
IF this State will give this com
mission the Law that if it expects TO.
ask for, we viii not only protect the
game that we now have, but We pro-
pose to restock tie waste places
throughout this State, the practi
eability Of which has been Cd thorough
II demonstrated in other States.
With that law this commission can
pay the expenses Of its warden sys-
tenn and its Office expenses, replenish
The waste places and give to the peo-
pie Of this State a surplus Of 500
900 per year. We do not intend to
ask for an increase Of the voluntary
tax Of the amateur s~portsmen, but
we do believe that the market hunter
should be taxed at least SIS a year,
that the trappers Of the furbearing
animals should pay a license, and
that all people who fish for the mar
ket should pay d reasonable license,
and at the same time save for this
commission the sum Of $4,000 a
year to ~replenish and restock the
waste places with both game and
fish. We DO not propose to ask the
Legislature for all Of the surplus be-
cause that would not be needed, but
we do propose to ask for an ample
sum il order that this State can be
restored to its former plenty.
g. Y. Sanders believes that the
representatives Of the people ought
to have freedom Of thought and free
dom of conscience to do that which
they believe is best for their State.
The gentleman's charge against
the Legislature that they have been.
extravagant is not warranted by the
facts. Extravaganza is the useless
and unnecessary expenditure of
money. The fact that It takes large
appropriations to successfully run a
State government is not extraya-
gance. In order TO test Mr.. Lewis
ideal Of government, suppose that
the Legislature would fail or refuse
to appropriate any money. This we
would all have to admit would be the
most economical form you could put
il, and what would you have? Anarchy
pure and simple.
Louisiana does not need pessimists
what she needs is optimists. She
needs constructive craftsmanship, and
not destructive p~artisanship. She
needs pushers, not those who would
tear down; she needs builders, not
destroyers. She needs those who
will keep her in the van Of human
progress, and not those who would
reIegate her to the fossils Of The
dark ages; therefore, it is the duty
Of every Louisianian. whether he
agrees with his administration or
not, to do what he ean towards the
advancement Of bis State. and if he
has any suggestions to make, they
ought to be made with the view Of
encouraging advancement, and not
with the view Of dragging the execu-
tive and legislative departments into
contempt and ridicule.
AT least Louisiana demands that
her public men be fair and just though
the heavens fall.9
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