River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1911-07-13
POOR HORNED TOAD
LEFT UNPROTECTED
Every Other Animal Had the At
tention of the Legislators.
FANCY SHOTS ARE EXPECTED
Wild Geese Cannot BE Killed by Use
of shotguns Held at Arms Length
and Discharged From the
Shoulder.

Madison.-The legislature, in it's
wisdom, has seen fit to attempt to
regulate all the activities of the citi-
zens OF this commonwealth and then
some. The result is some amusing
statutes.
If there is one thing more than an
other in which Legislators take spe-
cial delight, it Is the fish and game
laws. This session was no exception
in that regard. If the fish and game
bills hal been eliminated the session
wouTa kave been shortened at least
six weeks. But, then, think Of the
fun that would have been lost!
Everything, from deer and small
mouth black bass to muskrats and
raccoons, had the attention Of the
legislators. About the only thing in
the game line left unprotected when
the session was over were toads. By
some oversight these were omitted.
But there are other legislatures COM
ing.
The bullheads in Beaver Dam pond,
however, were saved, to certain ex-
tent, as it was carefully provided
that not more than twenty-five pounds
should be caught at any one time.
Then muskrat houses and beaver
dams were protected and raccoon
trees cannot be touched except in the
presence of game warden. Just what
the game warden is to do in his guise
of spectator the bill does not say, but
one Of these chaps has to be around
If anyone thinks of disturbing a rae
coon tree.
Wild geese and brant also were
granted immunity from September II
to April 80 ION frozen waters" Dur
ing that time they cannot be killed
by use of shotguns held at arms
length and discharged from the Shout
der" OF course if this gun is held
waist high or between the legs or
over the head there would be no OBJ
lection. At least that is what the law
implies.
Then there is the "log rolling" bill
which makes chapter 1T Of the laws
of 1911. Assemblyman Hull forced
the members to pass this freak, but it
seemed to have no effect. The fear
Of a two years Imprisonment or
$1,000 fine, both of which punishments
the law infiicts, if any member en-
cages in the "You tickle me and | will
tickle you" species Of legislation, did
not prevent 1t being done just the
same. 1t is simply another of those
dead letter laws.
For fear that Superintendent Ess-
man would not look carefully after
the condition of the cuspidors about
the capitol, the legislature took the
matter up and solemnly provided that
all cuspidors Whereabouts should be
kept in a sanitary condition at all
times. Whether this will make the
"spittoon cleaners" take more notice
is another question.
The reign of the awful roller towel
has passed. Hereafter single towels
will have to be furnished by hotels
and in all public places under penalty.
Also hats will not suffer from low tree
branches, as a law has been passed
and signed by the governor providing
for the regulation of the height Of
such branches. 1t now depends
whether the "city forester" another
freak bit of legislation, is a tall or
short man.
To help the hard worked railroad
conductor travellers, if they have just
caught the last car of the train with
out time to buy a ticket, will have to
pay ten cents extra for the privilege
Of riding. This is Offset by another
law which makes the lordly Pullman
porter keep the upper berths of his
car closed until they are needed. AS
semblyman Nye, who was the author
of the bill, rides back and forth be-
tween Madison and Superior as often
as he can to enjoy the novel privilege
of having an uninterrupted view of
the top of the car.
To make the "pesky'' commission
men pay for all the water there is in
the cheese when shipped from the fac
tory, the legislature, in conclave as
sembled solemnly ordained that there
could be no deduction in weight from
evaporated water. Cheese was to be
cheese, just as it left the factory.
Last, but not least, the legislators,
in a fit of generosity, agree that a
stump pulling machine should be pur-
chased and turned over to the college
of agriculture which could loan the
machine to settlers in the northern
woods to pull the stumps out of their
front yards and other parts of the
farm.