THE GROUND SQUIRRELS OF CALIFORNIA. 



747 



The benefits and inadequacies of the bounty plan were thoroughly 

 aired and finally it was agreed by all that nothing short of a compulsory 

 law would serve. It was brought out at this meeting that only one 

 head of stock could be supported where formerly two could subsist on 

 the wild oats of the range, that in sections range lands were worth only 

 a fourth of their former value, and in Contra Costa County alone the 

 damage was no less than a quarter million dollars. As at most con- 

 ventions of this nature, lengthy discussions over minor details arose, 

 especially when it came to levying a tax to pay inspectors, or to amounts 

 and methods of collection of bills against the landholder. Would it be 

 just to allow the landowner to go on the land to eradicate squirrels if 

 same was leased? Should a tax be levied on the basis of the number 

 of acres or upon the value of the land, and would there not be more or 

 less hardship thrust upon the nonresident, were points bringing up 

 ridiculous discussion to such an extent that finally a committee was 

 appointed to draft a suitable legal document to cover all phases. Those 

 assembled had. many interesting methods of control to present, some of 

 which showed indication of considerable value. In the course of a 

 few months the newly drafted law was forthcoming and it was essen- 

 tially this particular one which was adopted almost to the word by the 

 legislature of 1875-76. 1 The amount to be levied in order to meet the 

 expenses liable to be entailed by the act, was to be a tax of not less 

 than 20 cents per hundred dollars taxable property within the county. 



Some comment of this law was published, finding fault with it chiefly 

 from the angle that the wages allowed the inspectors were but half 

 enough. While men could be hired at $2.00 per day, still it was quite 

 certain that the type of men entrusted with the proper enforcement of 

 the law should be paid at least $4.00 in order that efficient service 

 might be commanded. He should have qualifications that would make 

 him unafraid of any landowner, and should command the respect of 

 all. Low wages might often lead to dishonesty among inspectors in 

 whom absolute confidence should be placed. 



In July, 1875, a rather interesting copy of a possible law appeared 

 in the Pacific Rural Press. A rancher from southern California is 

 responsible for some of the rather extravagant ideas expressed. In 

 summary the following points are embodied: (1) Every school district 

 a squirrel district with (2) a squirrel master in charge, who shall be 

 appointed by the board of supervisors upon request of one-fourth of 

 the voters; (3) The squirrel master must file a bond and (4) can 

 appoint all necessary inspectors; (5) The school trustees were to look 

 after the levying of taxes; (6) The time of year was stated, together 

 with (7) arrangement for meeting at certain place at 7 a.m.; (8) The 

 Board of Supervisors was empowered to prescribe certain regulations 

 to be applied by the squirrel master ; (9) A rancher's liability to appear 

 could be commuted for $5.00 and (10) anyone not so doing, or who did 

 not appear in person or by proxy, was guilty of a misdemeanor; 

 (11) Likewise to violate a prescribed regulation or a rule of the squirrel 

 master was a misdemeanor; (12) The squirrel master alone could draw 

 warrants on the tax and commutation moneys paid into the treasury; 

 (13) Purchase supplies and hire men for special duty in this in con- 

 statutes of California 1875-76, Chap. CXLIV, p. 143. 



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