The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-11


proposed department would yield am
pie revenue to the Commonwealth.
Tle author Of tho bill, Mr.. Bowman.
OF Roanoke, asserted that the present
warden system IN some OF the coun-
ties has been inefficient. A system in-
der tho auspices Of the state Is needed.
He proposed to fix a license of 81 per
year on guns and fishing rods, and a
nonresident tax for fishing or hunt
ing of st5. West Virginia last year,
said he, received $4,000 from its De-
partment OF Fish and Game. The bill
Is not to apply to the counties Of Prin-
cess Anne. Accoi1lac and Northampton,
because there they already have a ays-
TEN Of regulation.
Sportsmen In "Tamfly Quarrel"
Representing O number OF sports.
men who own club houses and pre-
serves In Princess Anne county. James
Mann, OF Norfolk, wished to put ali
amendment in the bill to the effect
that where duck shooter has first
taken position to shoot. no other per.
SON might take position within 600
yards. TIe pleaded for the principles
OF good craftsmanship in such a case.
The sportsmen who had bought land
for shooting purposes In Princess
LAhiiS taIi SOlllc llSuls WulCu ouSnI "
be upheld, he argued.
Messrs. Sehultice and Beeman, OF
Norfolk, also favored the amendment
requested by Colonel Mann. They
pointed out that thcre is plenty Of
room for everybody to shoot. Mr.. Bee
man snid that the presence or the
sportsmen in Princess Anne brought in
money. He brought up case that had
occurred in the county. where people
OF the neighborhood had tried to burn
down q club house. had stolen outfits.
smashed the boats and committed other
acts of depreciation. The 5Oo-yard
amendment was desired, he said, be-
cause it would cut off malicious inter-
ference with sportsmen who were act.
ing In the best OF faith.
DR.. Buckner, Of Ronnole, said that
lie wished to keep out OF "family
quarrel" and that 'as a landlubber"
he wished to take higher ground. lie
thought the bill for the best interests
OF the State at large. Thousands OF
quail are being shipped out OF vir-
Snia. he asserted, In violation of the
law.
DR.. Snead and Mr. Kellarn, Of Prin.
cess Anne, defended their county as
to the reference made by Mr.. Beeman
to depredations The best citizens de-
plored all that, they said, Mr. JEFF
tries, OF Norfolk said that the waters
OF the Back Fay country ought to be
open to the public, because they belong
to the public. 1t was too much like
usurpation of the ancient customs and
rights of the native people. The
sportsmen In the pending litigation
with the people were trying to invoke
the power Of tho Legislature he
claimed.
Protection of Game.
splendidly came President William
butcher, OF the Association of Audubon
societies of America, to the point Of
the discussion.
Your Wild creatures and birds arc
one OF your greatest assets he said
and are the asset OF neither indi-
viduals nor sections, but of the entire
commonwealth. You have here an
opportunity to establish one of the
greatest game preserves in America
Grave would be it's mistake II the
legislature failed to pass this bill"
Short seasons for game, he thought
especially desirable. Virginia has moro
duck now than ever, but it is because
other States have ordained short sea-
sons, thus causing the floclss to null
tiply. Virginia should help out the
other States by having a short season
at the right time, for her short season
now is at the wrong time. and is when
all the birds are out OF the state. The
season, by all means, should begin
by March, he said.
Closed Season for Ducks.
A fWe-year close Season on wood
ducks he desired very much.
They constitute an interesting
species, fast passing away, and Viz
GINA ought to keep the breed alive.
Black ducks would come to the State
in great quantities If there were
short season" He also wanted Eng
lish snipo to have the fun protection
OF the law. Market shipment, he said.
did much harm. Likewise, batteries
Tor duck hunters were undesirable.
With all its apple trees and other
crops, Virginia needs all the inscc-
tivorous birds it can hold" he said. |
1.-THE partridge is worth to the farmer
four times as much alivo as dead"
Birds ought not to be killed SO that
their plumage may be sold to milliners.
he concluded. at the close OF his
interesting address, President butcher
was given vote of thanks by the /