THE LEAGUE OF AMERICAN SPORTSMEN. 



229 



working vigorously to secure his election. 

 He said he was in it for the money, and 

 he should see that he got a good sal- 

 ary as Chief Warden. This is contrary to 

 the constitution and the objects of the 

 League, and when Flower made these 

 sweeping declarations we decided he was 

 not the proper man for the place. 



When the necessary 25 members were 

 obtained in Montana to authorize the or- 

 ganization of a State Division, the Secre- 

 tary called an election, in accordance with 

 the Constitution. 



Two Montana members recommended 

 Dr. Conyngham, of Butte, as a suitable 

 man for the place, and a statement to this 

 effect having been sent out to the Montana 

 members. Dr. Conyngham was unanimous- 

 ly elected. 



Mr. Flower's correspondence, and his 

 conduct in this matter, dating from some 

 time in January last, indicate plainly that 

 he is insane, and it is strange his friends (if 

 he has any) do not send him where he can 

 be properly taken care of. 



WHY THEY OPPOSE THE LEAGUE. 



Some of the people connected with the 

 other sportsmen's papers are industriously 

 circularizing the statement that the League 

 of American Sportsmen was organized and 

 is being pushed for the purpose of advertis- 

 ing Recreation. This, of course, is the re- 

 sult of jealousy. These journals do not be- 

 lieve in the League because they did not 

 start it, and because none of them was 

 chosen as its official organ. Nothing could 

 be more ridiculous than the idea that an 

 organization which is in its infancy could 

 by any possibility be an advertisement for 

 Recreation. In the first place this maga- 

 zine does not need any advertising. Ev- 

 eryone knows it is the most powerful and 

 the most widely circulated journal of its 

 class in the United States. Probably every 

 member of the League is already a sub- 

 scriber to Recreation. How then could 

 their joining the League benefit this maga- 

 zine? The L. A. S. is a Recreation enter- 

 prise, pure and simple, and inasmuch as the 

 other papers are persistently throwing cold 

 water on it, it will grow only so fast as Rec- 

 reation can make it grow. 



WEAR YOUR BADGE. 



I notice Mr. U. W. Gallaher, of Rock- 

 port, Mo., suggests each member of the 

 L. A. S. wear an emblem or pin, not be- 

 cause it will be a secret society but because 

 it will not be one. This is a good sugges- 

 tion in some respects but it might be detri- 

 mental in others. While the members 

 would readily recognize one another when 

 they met, these pins would warn the mar- 

 ket hunters and violators of game laws and 

 give them a better chance for concealment. 

 J. W. Durham, of Lockland, Ky., expresses 



my sentiments exactly in regard to getting 

 members from the country lor the L. A. S. 

 I claim that one good, faithful sportsman, 

 living in the country where the game is, 

 can do more to protect it from violators 

 of law than a half dozen living in cities 

 or large towns. Of course we want all the 

 members we can get, but don't forget to 

 urge the country boys to join the L. A. S. 

 They help to feed and rear the game, to 

 a certain extent, and we want all we can 

 get of them. 



H. E. Gillett, Benton Harbor, Mich. 



PROTECTING BIRDS. 



The League of American Sportsmen, a new asso- 

 ciation recently formed in New York City, has 

 started a crusade against a practice, quite prevalent 

 in Buffalo, of killing and trapping song birds. 



Henry Selbert was the first man arrested in 

 Buffalo, as a result of the crus*ade. He was seen 

 trapping birds in the rear of E. P. Dorr's home at 

 Central Park. Mr. Dorr secured a warrant for 

 Selbert's arrest and placed it in the hands of Officer 

 Grassell, who arrested Selbert at his home, 76 

 Dupont Street. 



When arraigned before Judge King, Selbert 

 pleaded guilty, but said he was ignorant of the 

 law, was out of work, and had a family depending 

 on him for support. 



Judge King allowed him to go, but other offend- 

 ers will not be dealt with so lightly. 



The league intends to prosecute offenders vigor- 

 ously and will endeavor to have heavy fines im- 

 posed. The maximum fine for the offense is $25. 

 — Buffalo Express. 



NOTES. 



The L. A. S. is a good thing, for it is ah 

 evident fact that if some prompt and de- 

 cided action is not taken it will not be many 

 years until the game will be exterminated. 

 Here in Idaho only a few years ago trout 

 were dynamited and shipped by the ton, 

 and last winter I saw, in one of the railway 

 freight houses, 2 truck loads of deer to be 

 shipped. Of course, it is against the law, 

 but the law is seldom enforced, and it is 

 high time something was being done to 

 stop such work. I have talked with a num- 

 ber of sportsmen friends, and they all think 

 well of the L. A. S. and are anxious to join. 

 If you will send me about 25 blanks, I can 

 get that many names and perhaps more. 

 You may also send me a few circulars, al- 

 though I will be able to see nearly all the 

 sportsmen I am acquainted with. We 

 ought to get a good big division in this 

 State, and I shall do all I can toward it. 

 G. W. Oliver, Pocatello, Idaho. 



That's right. If every member would do 

 likewise we should soon have 100,000 mem- 

 .bers. 



Not only every sportsman, but every citizen of What- 

 com county is more or less interested in the birds, fish 

 and other game of the country, and should support every 

 effort to prevent their needless, slaughter. The organ- 

 ization of a strong auxiliary of the League of American 

 Sportsmen, . now being formed in Whatcom county 

 through the vigorous efforts of John S. Stangroom, is a 

 part of the general awakening of sportsmen all over the 

 country. The plan is to rigidly enforce the game laws 

 of each State, by maintaining a game warden in each 



