The Monmouth inquirer., 1924-11-20
Permits Are Privilege, Not Right,
Says Governor on Legal Phase.
TO Prosecute Offenders.
ALLOWS SALT MARSH CUNNING
Cams Board Then Suspends Licenses
Till Woods Fire Danger Is Passed.
silzer Warns of Politics
in SchooIrooms.

5000
and game commissioners, suspending
the operation of hunting licenses until
such time as the acute emergency
from forest fires, due to prolonged
drought, hss passed. The only excep
ton permitted is the hunting of wild
water fowl on salt marshes. The gov
ernor first issued proclamation pro-
hibiting hunters from visiting state.
owned forest areas.
Governor Silzer's later action was
taken at the close of a conference in
which every phase of the emergency
was given consideration On the legal
side of the question the governor was
advised by Assistant Attorney General
| Theodors Backes.
Major Leonidas Coyle, chief of the
forestry division of the Department of
Conservation and Development, con-
tributed information as to conditions
actually existing in the woodlands of
the state and the serious menace due
to the approach of the general hunting
season. Secretary Walter H. Fell
spoke for the Fish and Game Commits
sion, whose members insisted that any
action taken should be under specific
authority from the governor.
Governor Assumes Responsibility
Governor SiIzer assumed full respon-
sibility for the course pursued and be-
spoke the cooperation of sportsmen
throughout the state who, apart from
the disappointment due to postpone
ment of the cunning season, have a
common interest in the protection of
game covers.
On the legal phase of the situation
Governor Silzer pointed out that the
right to hunt is not an inherent one,
that the license issued by the state is
merely a privilege and not right, and
that it is the duty of the state, through
its authorities, to protect the life and
property of AZ its people.
Shortly after promulgations of the
proclamation formal orders were is
sued by the Fish and Game Commits
sion suspending the operation Of all
hunting licenses with the exception
already noted. Telegraphic copies of
the orders were sent to all wardens
and county clerks throughout the
state with request that the latter in
turn notify issuing authorities that adj
ditional licenses would not be obtain
able until the order of suspension is
revoked.
Cooperation Is Asked
The order of the commission, signed
by President Harry ]. Burlington of
Montyale, states:
"By direction and authority of the
governor, the Fish and Game Commits
sion hereby suspends all licenses un-
der which the holder thereof is en-
titled to hunt and which licenses have
already been issued, or may be issued
before this order reaches the issuing
agencies, except licenses to hunt wild
water fowl on the salt marshes.
Such licenses are suspended until
further notice in the interests of the
preservation of the property of the
state and the inhabitants thereof, and
che holders thereof may ascertain from
the respective licensing clerks when
the said licenses are again in force,
"All those who violate the fish and
game laws will be prosecuted. It is
hoped that all gunners will cooperate
with the state departments in this
emergency.
"A license is merely a privilege
which the state has the right to with
draw at any time, and any plea that
the gunner does not know that this
license is suspended will not avail him
rs defense
Privilege Is Not Inherent One
Governor Silzer's proclamation
states;
Whereas, it has been called to my
attention by the Board of CGnserva-
ton and Development that fires are
raging in the forests and fields of the
state due to the continued drought;
and
Whereas, the present hunting sea
son and the season which opens on
the 10th of November will bring into
our fields and woods an army of about
10000 hunters; and,
Whereas, past experience has
shown that the carelessness among
these hunters is apt to produce addi-
tional fires; and,
Whereas, it is in the interests of
the state and the preservation of its
property and the property of it's citi-
zens that this property should be pro-
tected and further destruction avoid
ed; and,
Whereas, 1t is the duty Of the state,
through its authorities. to insure the
life and property of all people; and,
Whereas, the right to hunt is not
an inherent one, but is ore prohibited
by the state unless the hunter secures
license from the state for that pur-
pose; and,
Whereas, that license is merela
privilege and not right which couW
be enforced against the state; III
Now, therefore, 1, George S. SilzeW
% governor Of the state. do herebN
authorize ana direct the Fish AM