The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-02-27
COY. MANNING'S MESSAGE
YETOING GAME WADEN ACT

lOhS.
Mr.. President and Gentlemen Of the
Senate:
| return herewith without my ap
pIoval, g. B. ITO, II. b. l76, "An act
to amend sections Al and 74S, crlm-
inal code Of 1912, relating to the ap-
pointment Of the chief game war-
dem
wien it was requested that the les
islature relieve the Audubon SoCieey
or the uuty Of recomme ending the chie1
game warden, it was my hope thai
friction and ill-feeling would be avoid
ed by submitting the proposition for
your consideration on the grounds o.
Iublic policy rather than the parNcu-
lar facts relating to the actions OF the
pi esent incumbent, and to the part OF
lne Audubon Society in recommending
him. The grounds OF public policy, TO
ny mind, were compelling. The TINE
has passed when a private society,
subject to private interests and pri-
yate motives, should be intrusted With
a public function in naming State
officer; but in view OF your passage
Of this bill, feel it my duty to Lay
before you specific facts.
have information that before the
incumbent, Mr.. A. A Richardson, WAS
recommended for reappointment oy
the society, he or his friends brought
about the admission Of about 30 neN
members Of the societ,-, an Trough
them was able to direct its motion.
This rcgrettable incident reveals mucn
to be criticized; and besides this, tae
Lassage OF this bill would legislate
into Office as chief game warden Mr.
81. A. Richardson by means o. the
boldest lobby that this legislature nas
ever been subjected 10. Tie chief
game warden now has great power in
appointing and paying his deputies,
directing their important activities,
and determining the expenses OF HIS
Office. Even those great powers have
been exceeded. From many sources,
by letters and by word of mouth, /
have received complaints that Mi.
Richardson's deputies, with his ap-
proval, have made illegal collections
o. money; that they have held up pre-
sumed violators Of the game laws, III
the field, and demanded cash pay
ments Of fines. without process pro-
vided by law.
Ahout $40 600 was collected by this
department during the year 1915, ana
about $1,000 have gone to the public
schools, as shown by the report OF the
assistant bank examiner. The balance
Of this fund collected has been ca
pended by Mr.. Richardson in the e&-
penses OF the deputies he appointed.
and in the administration Of his Of
fce. Mr.. Richardson's travelling ca
penses have exceeded the amount pre-
scribed by Law. That limit is $l,00u.
He has spent on this Item alone ST.
264.56, plus mileage books, S120; III
cidentals $3.50; automobile and boat
hire, S1,59S.41. This alone would show
the necessity for restricting and safe
guarding the expenditures Of this de-
partment, and requiring a compliance
with the law.
The effect of your bill would be to
continue the beneficiary of this system
in office beyond all restrictions ana
safeguards, till after the election OF
1918.
do not withhold my approval BE-
cause the bill provides for popular
election, though l believe a better plan
would be to put this Office unoer the
control of the fish and game commls-
sion. The conduct of the Office o1
chief game warden under Mr.. Rlcn-
ardson, and the bold lobby for this
legislation forced me to the conclusion
that the election at the remote date
specified, was simply proposed as d
screen to blind you to the sinister as
poets of a deplorable situation. Inc
principle AMI practice of legislatins
any man into Office should be avoided
as a dangerous one, as also would De
the practice of legislating any man
out of Office l urge that the regula-
ton of this department can be taken
I'D at the next session of the leg1Sla-
ture, and receive then the calm con-
sideration which its importance de-
mands. Excitement and partisanshlp
should be put aside, and the whole
question considered in the light OF
giving the best protection to game,
and the wisest and safest regulation
with legal enforcement of the laws
pertaining to game.
The lobby l have referred to has
been apparent to the members of the
general assembly. The chief game
warden, Mr.. Richardson. and his as
sistant, Mr.. Funderburk. have been
continually in evidence in this WORK
during the session and before. | have
been informed that Mr. G. H. Glaze,
clerk of the judiciary committee OF
the senate. who is also court stenoS-
rapher for the First circuit. has been
active in this lobby. 1t has been re-