Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-11-04


an appearance he can drive, them away
with a club-this is the only way he can
save his fruit, according to the new Law:
To wait for the rising Of the sum would
be only SO much time spent in vain. 1or
the deer have made sure to put a good
distance between them and the man with
a gun long before daylight.
He has not heard Of the black-type
clause which reads:
"Provided, however, that any person
may lawfully kill any wild animal
(other than bsaver) or any wild bird
found destroying his property"
In another place the writer says:
The old law prohibiting the hunting
and killing of game on Sunday, which
has been partially forgotten for some
time, is revived and coming back strong.
or. The time was when a man. who had
worked 10 hours every day for six days,
could call his dog, shoulder his gun and
strike for the woods or, on sunday to have
tridges. 1t was the only day he could get
to hunt. But now as far as he is con-
cerned, dog and gun must CO. Those VINO
are so well fixed with this worlds goods
that they don't have to work. can take
their guns into the woods for partridge
or rabbit any day in the week from Mons
day to Saturday. but the man VINO "a 2.
.,
every seven to enjoy himself with dog
and gun, must put them away and forget
it,
There are two sides to this question
Of personal liberty" A comparative
~ small number of men SO desire and
are so located as to make successful
hunting trips in one day and be ON
the job" the following morning. And
from the very nature of this mans
environment a much large: number Of
people, both men and wor;en, would
like to pass a part of the fine Autumn
Sundays in the woods, if they dared.
With every clump of trees infested
with irresponsible men and boys
bristling with reyOlvers. shot-guns
and long range rifles it is unsafe. In
our Maine cities and larger towns are.
without question. thousands of men.
women and children who have no 9TH
er opportunity and who would gladly
avail themselves of the pleasure of a
Sunday excursion across fields, pas
lures and woodlands. but for the great
number of men and boys who are
recklessly shooting and making the
day of rest hideous. We believe
these people have just as many and
good rights to their Auiet Sunday in
the woods, as has the man who whines
about his personal liberty" to his
noisy and cruel one.
The greater number of men who
love the sport" of killing, Tor trying
to kilD take vacations from their
business or employment and hunt
where game is more plentiful, less
wary, and where the woods contain
fewer men and boys who are SO reck-
less and incompetent with firearms
that they never ought to be permitted
with guns in their hands. Most hunt
ers are obliged to rest from their
labors. to enjoy their sport. The few.
only. can satisfy their call of the
Wild by weekly jaunts of few hours.
The law was aimed. we believe, at
the number of dangerous parties who
go out from cities and towns on Sun
day. many of them with pockets Allied
with Intoxicating slOp, to make Sun
day menace to general public safety.
and a day of worry. disturbance and
pain. We believe the law Is right
and for the better interests of all. We
believe it pleases 95 out of every 100
citizens, and displeases the few who
can see only their own personal lib
erty."
Now we would have the law en-
forced, but we fear it never can be
until the carrying of guns and rifles is
made prima facie evidence of intent
to break the law. Every Sunday of
late the writer has seen men with
guns and rifles crossing fields and
pastures between patches of wooded
land in Kennebec county. and every
hour the banging, of firearms can be
heard. The law is not enforced.
Here is the plant Of an Augusta
gentleman, minister. He did not
complain against the law. did not pre-
tend to be posted on the law, but he
said: I'm the Summer Sunday after
moons l would enjoy long walks with
my children and others, to the woods
but for the insect pests. In the Au-
tumn when the insects are gone the
hunter pests are worse; We dare not
go into the woods
Are not such people entitled to
day of rest in the open country as
we'll as the man or boy who carelessly
fills the air with shot and bullets? We
leave it to the fairness Of the man
from Rockland, and others.
Dr Drdley was a1wavs in the o,,etod,,