Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-03-21

that if it was gotten in some other
State or in some other part of the
world. 1t would be oil right: but the
courts have held that person having
a lobster under ten and one-half
inches in his possession, he h liable
to this law. Down In Nova Scotia,
for mstance-our lobster smacks 80
to Nova Scotia and they canot bring
into the State Of Maine a lobster of
less than ten and one.half inches in
length, even though caught down in
Nova Scotia. That Is exactly where
you are left with this amendment.
II you have it in your possession. you
are liable. and there is nothing in this
amendment that cures that PROPOSE
ton. l want also to say to you that
the proposition in this amendment,
which applies to your own pasture. or
your own field. is not sufficient. You
might possibly get up some morning.
as have done, and see deer across
in neighbours pasture. and you
would like to get q shot at It. You
ought to have the right to do this.
1 am interested In game, but I am
lHOI6 Ml0IC0S0V llA ShC R0VplO VI khO
State Of Maine. This is big propo-
sition, 1t 10 true. It is a big business
proposition, and we should consider
protecting the game: but tell you
that the citizens of the State Of Maine
mean more to me than all the game in
the State Of Maine. Their rights mean
more to me than the rights of all the
game in the State. and I am absolutely
opposed to any law which says to any
citizen of this State that in proper time,
under proper regulation SO far as close
time is concerned. he shall not take
his gun and go out and hunt whenever
he wishes to. 1t is his right. tell you
men it is an entering wedge, and the
next time th,y come back they will
take your field away IL they can. or
they will take your pasture away from
you. There is no doubt about It at all.
l think we should stop this regulation.
Now I want to call your attention to
this next question: EVERY person hold
ing certificate Of registration by vir-
tue of this act SHALL, at all times. while
hunting, have such certificate on his
person, and shall exhibit the same for
inspection t. any person authorized to
enforce the inland fish and game laws.
Failure t. produce such cert flcate, or
sati. factory evidence OF the issuance Of
same. upon such request shall consti-
tute violation Of this act" Does that
say anything about the fellow who
does not have his license? Does it men,
ton that? You hear about these jok-
ers in these bills. and it seems to me
this amendment is all joker. 1t leave
the bill substantially where it Is so far
as the effective ps TT is concerned. Fall
ure to produce such certificate, or sat-
isfactory evidence of the issuance Of
same. upon such request shall consti-
tute violation c. this act" Now what
does that mean: Is there any provis-
ion there that If you are hunting on
Your own 1ani you are not OBLIGED to
show your certificate or give sat 'sfac-
tory evidence that it has been issued >
There is nothing in this amendment
that gives you the right to explain why
it has not been issued. That has not
been taken care Of at all. and YOU
would be hailed into court.
Now lbok at Section q: 1.-THE possess
sion OF any firearm in the fel1s or
forests or on the waters or ire of the
state by resident of this State. unless
the person Paving such firearm in nos
session HIS in his possession certiA-
cate of registration. as herein provided
duly issued to him and covering the
period such firearm is found in his
pos esslon. o. give satisfactory evidence
OF the ISSUANCE Of such Certificate shall
be prIma fa"ie evidence of hunting in
viola ton Of this act"
! tell you men that no resident Of
TIE State of Maine can have any fire.
arm IN his house even under that nro.
vision. Now is not that a ridioulous
proposition? I say men It is absurd.
ana with the consent Of the gentleman
from Brewer (Mr. SmalD I would like
to amend his motion and have II IN
dude an Indefinite postronem- Of the
amendment as well as the bill.
Mr. BARNES of Hou!ton Mr.. Sneak
err. after listening to the gentlemen
from the cities. I wonder if the House
would INDULGE man who comes from
the backwoods section? After listening
to theorists and men who are looking
only for votes from their constituents.
wonder if the House would listen
awhile to man who was regietere /
guide in 1890 and who got quite a nor
ton OF the money that put him through
COLLEGE in that kind of work? After
nearing the LAWYER deliver his sreech
for his clients. would you think for a
minute what the State Of Maine com.
prises. and that If you fold this nav
across fere dndicatine) oil tho se-tion
a owe the crease is the wild land. the
same land. tie Paradise of Id lie, and
the Elysium Of the hunter from all over
the round world?
Vow / have never hunted in Canada
nor on the Cascades of the Pacific. no,
IN British Columbia. nor in anv other
state of the union but the state Of
Maine: but I stood by my watch Just
q minutes en- tie. steps of the hotel at
Patten one afte-noon-Patten way un
there in the woods-and saw automo-
bile number plates from eight different
states Of the union pass. going UP to
the woods. loaded to the limit with
hunters
The subject Is so fertile that one Goes
not know where to begin upon it nor
where to stop. would speak of the
hunting. Now -hese fellows think that
shooting a half peck of buckshot at a
robin is hunting. These fellows talk
about letting zoos. 1920 rifle cartridge
at crow and call that hunting. Hunt
ing as understand it is life in the open