The Mena weekly star., 1911-01-19

qudll IN Hii tue IteiuS ana SqutrFelS
in all the woods. In the more un-
settled portions, deer and other
large game abounded Today there
are not so many fish in the streams;
quail are becoming scarce and there
are fewer squirrels. 1t is seldom
that we hear of deer being killed.
We should profit by the experience
of the older States in this regard.
At one time there were plenty of
game and fish in all of them. but
they were practically destroyed be-
fore the people woke up to the sit
uation and passed suitable legisla-
tion ,on the subject We should
at this time take the proper steps
to protect the fish and game of Ar
kansas.
We have some good laws on this
question, but most of them are spe-
cial and apply only to certain coun-
ties We need a general law to
cover the entire state, and no coun-
ty should be exempted from the pro-
visions of the bill. The enforce
ment of the law should be placed
in the hands of Game and Fish
Commission This commission should
have wardens to work under its di-
rections in the different counties
where needed Licenses should be
collected by the State; say one dol
lar for resident licenses and $500
to $500 for nonresident licenses.
All expenses of the commission en-
gagged in this work should be paid
out of the licenses and out of fines
collected for violation of the game
and fish laws. This commission
should not only see after the en-
forcement of the law. but should
at once begin the work of propa-
eating our game and fish.
Eleemosynary Institutions.
In my message to the last Legisla-
ture / stated that it would be a
crime against the helpless and a
disgrace to every man. woman and
child in the State, If positions in
the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. were to
be given as rewards for political SER
vice of favors of personal friendship.
carried this principle literally into
execution. Without any considera-
ton as to who the men voted for for
Governor, and considering only their
known ability for the particular SER
vice of aiding the unfortunate and
protecting the States financial in
ayers for the State Charitable Insti-
tutions For the selections made,
have been severely critized by a
few politicians. But, on the other
hand, the approval of this action
by the masses, has been one of the
greatest rewards, / have experienced
since becoming Governor of the State
have left everything to be done
at these institutions in the hands
them. l am satisfied with their
work, and without hesitation / shall
endorse what they have hdone and
recommend what they ask.
County Convicts.
Again / wish to call your atten-
ton to the abuses as well as mis-
use of our laws on the county con-
so& nf h. s.xC
tees of the peace of the state have
so far lost their sense of justice
and decency that they have Invested
themselves of any semblance of the
judiciary, and have entered into the
slave traffic as a strictly business
matter. They do this without re-
pect to the race, color of previous
condition of servitude, and in spite
of our present safeguards of the
rights of our citizens. 1t is said
that 1t matters not who the victim
may be, just SO he is unable to pro-
tect himself from the pirate, enabl-
ed by favorable conditions to sieze
and sell his services. 1t is also
said that many of this class of con-
victs are made to serve a sentence
OF more than year before the sat
isfaction of fine of few dollars
may be had. Or, that after once
getting hold of them. the peonage
system is successfully carried out.
AS a remedy for this illegal and in
human system, | suggest that you
pass a law prohibiting any convict,
for any offense, serving over six
months Imprisonment on county
farm, or any other compulsory SER
vitude, over that length of time. out
side of the penitentiary. If anyone
commits an offense grave enough
for him to be confined as convict
more than six months, he should be
sent to the penitentiary and not to
a county farm where it appears
there is no one to see whether or
| not he is humanely treated.
Special Acts.
The Governor points ut the evils
and great expense on the people of
Arkansas of the special local leg
islation. He says the statutes are