The sun., 1919-09-07
Of tF1osu in FL Pike and NAn
Game L1wS Once Written
by Clean of BdyOnetS
Promulgated by Roar of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of
Statutes Shows Centuries Required to Give
Benefits to All the People.

CT CnleI rangers, VINO also sat as JUS
'tices equal to present day committing
magistrates) in cases where the law OF
the forest had been violated. He ap-
pointed other persons who acted as
rangers. who looked after the welfare OF
the beasts Of the forest and to enforce
the laws in respect thereto.
These laws were further strengthened
during the reign of William the Con-
queror, who frightened what he consid-
cred the loose ends of the enactments OF
Canute the Dane, and the penalties were
made more severe and their enforcement
more stringent.
According to Matthew Paris, punish
ments inflicted for violating the forest
laws were the loss of eyes, cutting of
hands or feet. but these severe penalties
prevented prosecution Of the individuals
for violations.
Eleven Clauses I'm Magma Carta.
From the time Of Canute until the
time of King John many charters were
granted by the Kings which made the
forest laws less stringent. When King
John granted the Magma Carta on No
vember 8, 1917. we note that 1t contains
at least eleven clauses occupied with the
abuses of the forest.
In compliance with the popular de-
mand King John the same day signed
the forest laws. These laws we're grant
ed subsequent to the granting of the
Magma Carta.
Section a of the forest laws provided
for the Having or expeditation' OF
mastiffs every third year The having
or exploitation consisted of cutting off
the claws and ball of the forefeet No
other dogs but mastiffs were permitted
in the forests on the theory that only
this specie Of dog was necessary for the
protection OF the persons inhabiting the
forests
The Roman law knew no restrictions
as to persons or animals Sc far as re-
garded the article (point) Of place that
II allowed no man to hunt or sport upon
another's ground but by consent of the
owner of the soil. But in Justinians
time fish, wild beasts and birds when
taken became by the law of the nations
the property of the taSer.
In continental countries where the
feudal policy prevailed the laws relating
to wild animals were enforced with ex-
treme severity due to the fact that all
such animals were considered the prop
erty Of the crown and as such were jeal-
ously guarded In France game was the
absolute property of the crown. One OF
the consequences of the French Revolu-
ton was the repeal OF the ancient game
laws, which took place in 1889.
Germans Hunters and Warriors.
Case observes that during the first
century of our era these tribes Ger
manic). which had heretofore pursued
a nomadic life. seem to have become set
tied communities and each member "a
have acquired separate homestead In
the land which he cultivated and n right
to the commons in the forest and pas
| ture." The peasants OF Germany en-
joyed the right to pasture their cattle on
the waste lands, to cut wood in the
forests and to fish in the streams. And
Case again notes that "the courts in the
crown lands or royal demesnes were
presided over by advocates or other Of
| ficers appointed by the crown, while ter
ritorial lords presided over courts in
their Jurisdiction"
In certain parts OF Germany II was
| a capital offence to violate the laws pro-
! tecting the wild animals. Cesar, speak
ing OF the ancient Germans, says their
whole life consists in hunting and the
! study OF military affairs" while Taci-
tus observed that whenever they Ger
mans) are not engaged in war they pass
! much of their time in hunting and still
more in idleness,"