.■luicrican I'isltcrics Sucicly. 123 



interested in a State organization lor the protection of fish and 

 game. A rei)ly card was inserted. An alphabetical index of all 

 names received in reply to this circular was booked and a second 

 circular was sent to all whose names were thus bo(jked, inviting 

 then", to pledge themselves to join a proposed league with the 

 above named objects, to agree to pay a certain fee (in this case 

 $5) when one hundred names had thus been ])k'dge(l and with 

 the understanding thai no articles of incorj^oration would be 

 procured or organization etYected until the one lumdred names 

 were ])ledged. The same circular re(|uested each reci])ient to 

 send in names of eligible members. h're(|uently the same names 

 were sent in by several sportsiuen in cme conuuunit\, showing 

 the desirability of kee])ing an alphabetical index of all eligiblcs 

 to avoid repetition in sending out circulars and to have as com- 

 jilete a record of eligibles throughout the State as possible. In 

 response to the second circular, 1 1 1 names were ]iledgefl and 

 articles of incorporation inunediately procured and organization 

 effected. A meeting of charter members was called, a constitu- 

 tion and by-laws (previously prepared) was adopted and officers 

 elected. (H the iii charter members, all but one redeemed his 

 pledge by paying into the treasury $5. From the date of organ- 

 ization in i8qo to the i)resent time, the membership has con- 

 .'^tantly increased, until the present membership is 563. After the 

 first year, the luembership fee was reduced from $5 to $3 and 

 the annual dues from $3 to $2. I^twu and county protective 

 associations were admittefl as branch clubs and permitted to send 

 one delegate as a voter in all business meetings. Regular meet- 

 ings are held annuallv and special meetings from once to twice 

 per year. At the annual meeting a dinner is given after the busi- 

 ness is transacted, followed by post-prandial exercises. The past 

 three \ears a so-called mid-sunuiier meeting has been held on 

 an island in Lake C'liamplain. At these meetings many notable 

 men are gathered. ( )n the occasion of. the last meeting I^resident 

 McKinley was ]:)resent as a guest. Politics are not allowed to 

 enter into the work of the league or to be discussed in the meet- 

 ings nor enter into the post-prandial exercises. 



The subjects in which the league are interested are kept 

 constantly before the people by means of cloth posters giving a 

 synopsis of the laws, ])amphlets containing the chapter of game 

 laws in full, by frequent circular letters to the members scattered 

 throughout the State and by the voluntary -aid of all the news- 

 papers published in the State. 



