28 FOREST FIRES IX XORTH CAROI.IXA. 



part of the destruction lias occurred in the mountain and coastal plain 

 counties. These counties would, therefore, require the larger number 

 of forest wardens. Many of the piedmont counties, however, have suf- 

 fered considerably from fire^, and Avhere this has been the case, and the 

 people are willing and anxious to cooperate in trying to prevent fires, 

 the appointment of wardens would probably be made. As a general 

 proposition, it may bd' stated that in townships containing, less than 60 

 per cent of forest land forest wardens would not be needed, while in 

 those having more than this proportion wooded a considerable number 

 of them might be expected to need Avardens. 



Even Avhen an appropriation is made by the State for the carrying 

 out of this part of the law no indiscriminate appointment of wardens 

 will be made. Each township will be considered upon its own merits, 

 and only after careful consideration of local conditions and public senti- 

 ment, as well as of the fitness of the man proposed, will an appointment 



be made. 



Prosecutions. 



The object of this law is not the persecution of private citizens, but 

 the prevention of forest fires. The majority of fires are caused by care- 

 lessness, and in most localities these can be gradually lessened by bringing 

 before the people various kinds of reminders to be careful. When 

 carelessness becomes gross or criminal a ]irosecution is often the only 

 reminder that will have any effect. 



But some fires are started intentionally, in plain violation of law. 

 In such cases it is the evident duty not only .of the law officers, but of 

 every law-abiding citizen, to do everything possible to bring the offender 

 to justice. 



Though the enforcement of the forestry laws is the special duty of the 

 forest Avardens for whose appointment provision is made in the new laAv, 

 prosecutions can also be taken up in the ordinary way. In fact, over 

 the greater part of the State law enforcement will have to come through 

 the regular county and township officers. 



Where evidence is obtainable, any citizen or officer of the law can swear 

 out a warrant before a justice of the peace which will be immediately 

 executed by the law officer. The offender will then be tried in the 

 magistrate's court, following the usual procedure. Should a sheriff, 

 deputy sheriff, or township constable discover some one in the act of 

 violating the law, he should arrest him without warrant, take him im- 

 mediately before a justice of the peace, Avhere the necessary papers 

 Avould be made o]it and the trial proceed with tlie arresting officer as 

 Avitness. 



