Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-02-08

lack sufficient interest in the common
mature thought OF the whole. or will 1t
DO guided by the saner. safer and more
reliable views of those who are in
tcrcStcd enough to reflect upon the
needed measures and write their de-
mands?
IL DUE no POLITICS
II do not believe the Farmers Union
bill viii b. defeated By opposition on
The part OF the unorCantzed farmers
ana city huntsmcn. II il is defeated
II Viii fail OF passage for another rea-
son.
In certain counscls there is an ap-
parent fear that the comprehensive
provisions for game protection de-
partmcnt OF the State government, with
It's commissioners and appoiutivc paid
"ardcns, Will create an organization
ahordinC too much patronagc--patron
az" that may be employed for political
chnS. This is the secret of the most
serious opposition, absurd as il may
seem The fear of patronage is the
stumbling block The long expert
ehcc IN other States counts for nothing
in Virginia. it would seem, and so il,
IS possible, that we may remain i'm
'hat discrcditablc category of uncn-
hShtcnmcnt, neglect OF n valuable nat
VI
along with Arizona and Nevada, the
only other States that have failed to
provide for the proper conservation of
Wild life. Why?
E"causc certain politicians fear that
Il great service TO the state might
contribute strength to Il possible po-
Htical opponent.
Why. let 1t be asked, do they not
lear To maintain police depart mcnts.
educational institutions and other
great departments of government? Tho
DANCER OF furnishing patronage through
SH'h agencies Is even greater than in
inc case of Il game commissioners. rhn
answer is that the state is torn with
hn''N Sttitc--so petty that not the in
''F"S' OF the state, but that of the con
'c'dinS factions is paramount The
wheels of the inner government will
not turn grist into the meal sacks of
possible opponents.
ana So fear, politics, and not the
needs OF the farmers and of tho State
VII control the issue OF the Farmers
Ihion game bill.
WRITTEN PERMISSION
ESSENTIAL, ELEMENT,
but one more word. The most cs-
schtial element in the future success
OF inc game bill Is the clause rcuuir-
me written permission to hunt on tho
ihhuS OF another. It has been so founl
IN other states. Experience has proved
II 10 DC the most desirable featur. for
inc rural landowners. 1T simplv
amounts to this: the farmer raises and
reeds the birds: he is entitled to say
Who snail Kill them: he can give shoot
ING privileges to any one he wants
TO XIII his game: IL others trespass
'hcy VIII be arrested and prosecuted
pE inc wardcns. not for trespassinC.
nut for hunting without permission:
me iarhicr ~ not put to the impossible
burden of causing the arrest, going 10
court and maintaining the prosccu
'l"n. lie is entirely relieved of doing
the things which he never has done i'm
the past. The burden of protection is
SHIFTED TO others shoulders
y sportsman who Is too law to Sc
cure written permission ought not To
expect TO hunt. One who cannot secure
such permission has no right to hunt
even under the present law Unless
sportsmen arc willing to make some
sacrifice in trouble, they need not OK
pect TO have the farmers raise and
iceu the game for them. Therefore, l.,
onpose the written permission clause
OF the NH is to oppose the interest of
inc farmers. and plays right into the
hands Of the pot-huntcrs. game poach-
ers, trcspasscrs and 4 class of hurts
men who have no real title as so,,.s
men.
That clause, If preserved, Will dis
arm Il vast army of vaGrant hunters.
trcspasscrs. idlcrs, who. not being able
TO roam the fields ut WILL will he
compelled TO contribute some more use-
fui effort to their communities. and It
VIII result In such an increase of gamo
that ne farmer and Legitimate sports