Hunting in Many Lands 



pushed the matter vigorously. The aid of many promi- 

 nent members of the House of Representatives was en- 

 listed. Before the hostile railroad party knew of the 

 movement, the bill was presented to the House, unani- 

 mous consent for its consideration obtained, and it was 

 passed. In the Senate the bill was among its friends, 

 and Senator Vest was again instrumental in securing its 

 passage. The promoters of the railroad scheme thought 

 it more prudent not to meddle with the bill in the 

 Senate, as they would have been certain to have en- 

 countered defeat. 



The Act provides penalties and the means of enforc- 

 ing them, and thus secures adequate protection. It 

 makes the violation of any rule or regulation of the 

 Secretary of the Interior a misdemeanor. It prohibits 

 the killing or capture of game, or the taking of fish in an 

 unlawful manner. It forbids transportation of game, 

 and for the violation of the Act or regulations it imposes 

 a fine not to exceed $i,ooo, or imprisonment not to 

 exceed two years, or both. It also confiscates the traps, 

 guns and means of transport of persons engaged in kill- 

 ing or capturing game. Finally a local magistrate is 

 appointed, with jurisdiction to try all offenders violating 

 the law governing the Park, and it specifies the jurisdic- 

 tion over felonies committed in the Park. By a happy 

 coincidence the new system was inaugurated by the trial 

 and conviction of the first offender put on trial, and it 

 was Howell who was the first prisoner in the dock. He 

 had returned to the Park after the passage of the law, 

 and was tried and convicted of violating the order of the 

 Secretary of the Interior, by which he was expelled after 

 he had slaughtered the buffalo. This was retributive 



416 



