192 SADDLE AND CAMP 



ture, which the legislature would as a matter 

 of course follow. 



Wardens and deputy wardens should be ap- 

 pointed only upon competitive examinations as 

 to qualifications and stationed at points where 

 they will do the most good, regularly patrolling 

 their districts. Their position should not de- 

 pend upon the rise or fall of the political party 

 to which they belong. It would seem that the 

 game is valuable enough to warrant such addi- 

 tional expense as this might entail, and in all 

 probability license fees would make the depart- 

 ment, if administered on business principles, 

 not only self-sustaining but very remunerative 

 to the State. There is indeed a question 

 whether or not game on all national forest re- 

 serves should not come under Federal control, 

 as the migratory habits of birds and many spe- 

 cies of animals make them to some extent, at 

 least, inter-state property. Every citizen of the 

 United States has, so to speak, a quasi interest 

 in all the game within these reserves. 



Under the present methods universally in 

 vogue throughout the United States, the com- 

 missioner receives his appointment through po- 

 litical preferment, irrespective of qualification. 

 He, in turn, appoints his wardens because they 

 are good party men, who have lent their aid to 



