16 GAME COMMISSIONS AND WARDENS. 



COMMISSIONS. 



One Territory and 13 States — Arizona, California, Connecticut, 

 Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New 

 Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Ehode Island, and South 

 Carolina — commit the administration of their game laws to boards of 

 commissioners, a whose membership, except in Delaware, North Caro- 

 lina, and South Carolina, ranges from 3 to 6. All except those of Dela- 

 ware, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island are also charged 

 with the enforcement of the fish laws. In California the board is a fish 

 commission with jurisdiction over matters pertaining to game. In Ohio 

 not more than 3 of the 5 members, and in New Jersey not more 

 than 2 of the 4, may belong to the same political party— an effort in 

 each case to preserve a nonpartisan body. Pennsylvania also pro- 

 hibits the appointment of smy 2 of the 6 commissioners from the same 

 senatorial district. As a precaution against the retirement of all the 

 members at the same time, Ohio, in the act creating the commission, 

 provided that one should be appointed for one year, another for two, 

 another for three, and so on, and at the expiration of the respective 

 terms the successor should be appointed for five years. Pennsylvania 

 adopted a similar plan. In this way there is always a quorum familiar 

 with the duties of the board and the greatest efficiency is insured. 



Office. — In most cases the State commission has an office at the State 

 capital, but in California, Connecticut, Delaware, New Hampshire, 

 New Jersey, and North Carolina, the main office is located in some 

 commercial center, or the business is transacted at the place of resi- 

 dence of some member of the commission. 



Appointment. — In every State the commissioners are appointed by 

 the governor, and it is usual to require their confirmation by the senate 

 or executive council. No special qualifications for appointment are 

 required by the acts creating commissions. 



Term. — The terms of service vary from two years in Arizona and 

 Connecticut to five years in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New 

 Jersey, and Ohio. In California the commissioners serve "during the 

 pleasure of the governor." 



Bond. — Ohio is apparently the only State which requires the mem- 

 bers of the board to give bond ($2,000), but this is a common require- 

 ment when the duties of the office are intrusted to a single commissioner 

 or warden. 



Compensation. — In Arizona, California, Minnesota, New Jersey, 

 Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island the commissioners receive no 

 compensation, the position being largely an honorary one, but not 

 without responsibility and care. It is customary, however, to allow 

 them a sum, usually fixed by law, to defray their expenses. In Arizona 



<* In Delaware, North Carolina, and South Carolina incorporated societies exercise 

 the functions of a commission, as explained on p. 18. 



