452 With Rod and Gun in New England 



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In point of numbers, the association has varied considerably at 

 different periods since its organization, the largest membership having 

 been attained in 1891, when there were five hundred and sixty-five names 

 upon the roll of paying members. 



One of the purposes of our organization, as designated in our charter, 

 is " to disseminate information relating thereto," that is, "relating" to fish 

 and game. 



While a vast amount of labor has been performed, in our endeavors to 

 procure better laws, the educational work has not been neglected. For 

 many years it has been customary for the association to send out to all 

 applicants therefor, printed "abstracts" of the game laws of the State, 

 for pocket use, as well as others printed on cloth, designated as "posters," 

 to be put up in post offices, railroad stations, and other public places. On 

 this point, I quote from the Annual Address of President Clark, delivered 

 on Jan. 16, 1896: 



" It may be said, briefly, that information relating to fish and game has 

 been disseminated broadcast throughout the State. No person has come 

 to us with complaints of violations of law without receiving the assur- 

 ance that on the presentation of the proper evidence, counsel will be 

 furnished without expense to the party complaining. 



"Large numbers of posters containing an abstract of the game laws, 

 on cloth, have been sent out, several hundred of them in Italian as well as 

 in English, and hundreds containing the Sunday laws." 



After stating that the officers had presented the views of the associa- 

 tion to the committee on fisheries and game, at the State House, on the 

 various matters which engaged their attention, he said, "several new asso- 

 ciations have been formed, and we have been glad to furnish information 

 as to methods of organization and work. 



"The formation of such associations is a most encouraging feature of 

 the times." 



The meetings of the association are usually attended by reporters of 

 the daily papers, who are glad to present to their readers outlines of 

 papers read, and the discussions of important questions that arise from 

 time to time, and which receive the careful attention of our members. 

 The public interest is thus kept alive to the work of protection and propa- 

 gation, and the brotherhood of sportsmen is cemented more closely by the 

 bonds of mutual acquaintance and social good-fellowship. The good 

 influence of frequent meetings can hardly be overestimated. During the 

 first two or three years of the life of the organization, as shown by our 

 records, meetings were usually held twice a month. 



It is worthy of mention that the law of 1887 for the protection of mack- 

 erel originated in our association. A special committee of our body drew up 

 a memorial for such a law, which was sent to the Congress of the United 



