Page 281 - Our Vanishing Wild Life

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HOW TO MAKE A NEW GAME LAW 259
When he comes down half-dressed, bUnking and rubbinj^ his eyes, shout at him:
"Comeout! Yourbirdsareallbeingshottopieces!"
"Are they?" he will say. " But what can / do about it? I can't help it! I'm no game warden."
"Put on your clothes, get your shot-gun and come out and drive off the killing gang.
"Butwhatgoodwillthatdo? Theywillcomebackagain."
"Notifwedoourduty. Wemusthavetheniarrested,andappear against them in court."
"But,"saysthesleepycitizen,"Thatwon'tdomuchgood. Thelaws
are not strict enough; and besides, they are not well enforced, even as !'
they are
"Then let's make it our business to see that the present laws are
enforced, and go to our members of the legislature, and have them pass some stronger laws."
And this brings me to a very important subject: How TO Pass a New Law
We venture to say that the average citizen little realizes how possible it is to secure the passage of a law that is clearly necessary for the better protection of wild life and forests. Because of this, and of the necessity for exact knowledge, I shall here set down specific instructions on this subject.
The Personal Equation.—One determined man can secure the passage of a good law, provided he is reasonably intelligent and suffi- cientlydetennined. Themanwhostartsamovementmustmakeuphis mind to follow it up, direct its fortunes, stay with it when the storms of opposition beat upon it, and nc\'er giA^e up until it is signed by the gov- ernor. He must be willing to sacrifice his personal convenience, many of his pleasures, and work when his friends are asleep or pleasuring.
In working for the protection of wild life there is one mighty and un- failingsourceofconsolation. Itisthis:
Your cause always gains in strength, and the cause of the destroyers always loses strength!
TheChoiceofaCause.-—Bebroad-minded. Donotrushtothe legislature with a demand for a law to pcnnit the taking of bull-heads with June-bugs in the creeks of your township, or to give your county a specially early open season on quail in order that your boy may try his new gun before he goes back to college. Don't propose any "local" legislation; for in progressive states, local game legislation is coming strongly into disfavor,—just as it should! Legislate for your whole state, and nothing less.
Do not bother your legislature with a trivial bill. Choose a cause ihatisworthwhiletogrownmen,anditshallbewellwithyou Ittakes