American Big-Game Hunting 
The organic law establishing the Park, 
after defining its boundaries, states that the 
reservation is ‘‘dedicated and set apart as a 
public park or pleasure-ground for the bene- 
fit and enjoyment of the people.” Exclusive 
control of the Park was given to the Secre- 
tary of the Interior, with power to make the 
necessary rules and regulations for its proper 
care and maintenance. He was authorized to 
“provide against the wanton destruction of 
the fish and game found within said Park, and 
against their capture or destruction for the pur- 
pose of merchandise or profit.” The act was 
approved by the President March 1, 1872. 
It will thus be seen that from the very in- 
ception of the project for a grand National 
Park, the preservation of the game was con- 
templated, although it is evident that abso- 
lute prohibition of shooting was not then 
intended. Probably this was not deemed 
necessary in such a remote and unfrequented 
region, to say nothing of its working a hard- 
ship upon those who were ready to penetrate 
its forests and search for fresh wonders. 
At that time the country included within 
the Park was practically an inaccessible 
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