101 



it is to-day and will remain a standard not only for this 

 State, but for all other States, and a monument to its 

 builders. It repealed all the old and antiquated laws 

 and made a basis upon which much good has since 

 been built up. 



But, gentlemen, no matter how good your laws may 

 be, if not respected and enforced they are useless. A 

 public sentiment in their favor is absolutely necessary. 

 How to secure this is the problem. In this State we 

 have, we think, found a solution in orjjanization. In 

 1890, after the work of the Commission just mentioned 

 had been accomplished, and encouraged by a set of 

 laws that were clear and comprehensible, and by articles 

 that appeared in the Forest and Stream signed " D, H. 

 B," (Gen. Dwight H. Bruce, of Syracuse), several hun- 

 dred enthusiastic lovers of the rod and gun assembled 

 in Syracuse and proceeded to reorganize on a protective 

 basis the old State sportsmen's association, which had 

 declined into an annual trap-shooting tournament, 

 chaneinof the name to New York State Association for 

 the Protection of Forests, Fish and Game. Its subse- 

 quent meetings have been largely attended and deep 

 interest has been shown for better protective laws and 

 their enforcement. Local clubs or branches have been 

 encouraeed and formed throughout the State. We feel 

 our increased strength and realize a rapid changing of 

 public sentiment — particularly so whenever a local club 

 is formed. Our influence is now felt at Albany as it 

 was never felt before. We find that the Fish Commis- 

 sioners appreciate us and look to us and our work as a 

 great auxiliary to theirs The protectors also regard 

 us as their friends and supporters. It encourages them 

 to be more active and enables them to secure more con- 

 victions than formerly. I firmly believe that this is the 

 true and best method to pursue. The friends of fish 

 and eame must orofanize and combine, if we would save 



