478 
FOREST AND STREAM, 
[JuKB 12, 1897. 
Illinois State Sportsmen's Association. 
A LH'ELT CONVENTION. 
Chicago, 1)1., Jure The tweBty-ttilrd annual conventioti of the 
Illinois State Sporrsinc-n's Association w as tbe most remarliable one 
held for eight or ten years. Not only was it remarlcable for the brisk 
and lively quality of the proceeding?, but tbe nature of the business 
transacted was so far out of the ordinary routine of tbe past five 
years, that one may indeed well doubt if in all its history this organ- 
ization has ever held a convention offering more interest 
In view of the past reoords of this consprvalive body of sportsmen, 
we had a right to expect that we should be favored with the usual 
addresses and resolutions about song and insertivorous birds, that 
we should hear the customary solemn declaration that "this is not a 
trap shooting body," that we should listen to the customary wrangle 
concerning the shooting rules, and that we should emerge from the 
labors of the convention with the same principles, tbe same rules and 
the same meeting place for the next convention, which, namely, 
shnuld be Chicago. 
What really happened was far different from tbe above. The pres- 
ident and directors made addresses brief and much to the point. The 
song and insectivorous bird reared its head but briefly. The timely 
resolution was mainly absent. The city of Chicago was not selected 
as the meetirg place. Lastly, best and greatest of alL in the idol 
breaking of the evening, the famous 10-gauge rules of the Illinois 
State Sportsmen's A.s.sociatioB were sent rattling down the grooves 
of time unattached and looking for a foothold, which they will prob- 
ably never again have so long as intelligent shooters meet in con- 
clave. 
Not only was < he 10-gauge clause eliminated from the Illinois rules, 
but the rules were abolished in toto, the A. S. A. rules being substi- 
tuted therefoi; in full. Henceforth the city of Chicago, for many 
years behind tbe world in shooting rules, will no longer offer the 
anomaly of having a special set of rules for two or three dayn' shoot- 
icg out of the year. The city of Chicago, in all other matters cus- 
tomarily ahead of the times, has now caught up with the times 
in this regard, aud hereafter shooters may visit this town 
feeling that they may there meet the same customs which now obtain 
all over the shooting world. Incidentally, it may be said also that a 
greater union among the sportsmen of "Illinois may be among the 
possibilities of the future, so that there is at least one chance in a 
thousand that we may at length accomplish something in the way of 
game legislation. 
THlfl PRBStDBNT's ADDRESS, 
There were present delegates from eighteen out of the thirty-four 
clubs belonging to the Association. The reading of the minutes of 
the previous meeting was dispensed with. The address of the 
president. Col. C. E. Felton, was tinged somewhat with the lositive 
personality of that gentleman, more especially as bearing upon mat- 
ters of game protection and interstate sportsmen's traffic. Colonel 
Felton will gradually come to believe wholly m the wisdom of the 
Forest AND Stream Plank — "Stop the sale of game"- but as he is 
now, he' assumes the divided position of sanctioning the use of game 
as food for man when once the gaoae has been Itilled. He thinks the 
sportsmen's papers are a destructive agency, and in this he is no 
doubt right. His able address is well worth printing in full. 
pbksident's address. 
Grentlemen: It is a pleasiu-e to me to see so large anumber of clubs 
represented at this convention of ihe Association; hut it it with grief 
to us all that we miss from our presence an es-President, who was 
one of its founders, and who was present at nearly every session dur- 
ing its history— the late Hon. Charles Hern He was biirn abroad, of 
foreign parentage, and came to this country in early youth. He was 
an ardent sportsman; a true friend; a warm companion. He settled 
in Indiana, and was favored by the citizens of a prominent county in 
that State by dec ion to tbe office of Sheriff He removed to Chicago, 
and its citizens not only conferred upon him the like honorable and 
responsible position— that of .sheriii' of Cook countj'— but thereafter 
also elected him treasurer of that country, the most responsible office 
in the eift of its citizens, and one which he held without tbe least 
criticism being made as to its conduct. This shows the possibility of 
preferment to manly worth, sterling integrity and unceasing effort in 
this our glorious country; an inspiration to all young men, of what- 
ever nationality, who become its citizens. After an illness of nearly 
two years, the Father called him to an eternal home above. In life 
our late brother sportsman never ceased in his admiration of those 
he loved; and as friend, his heart was never cold; and to worthy 
stranger his hand was always extended, and the smile of welcome 
was ever present. We have lost a valued member, and his goodness 
will ever be remembered by us. 
This Associatiou was organized March 10, 1874. Its first convention 
was held June 3, following, at Chicago. Hon. John V. Le Moyne was 
its first president. Its membership w as composed of individuals, and 
not of clubs; and this was found to be impracticable. June 20, 18<6, 
the Associatiou was reorganized by the adoption of a constitution 
making club membership, instead of iudividual membership-, the 
tiasis of i s organization, and no material change has since been made. 
I had the honor of being its president when it was reorganized, and 
the present ts tbe third time I have held the position, for which honor 
I am more indebted to tbe good fellowship of its members toward me 
than from abihty to ably serve the purposes of the Associatiou. 
What are those purposes? The constitution says: "To secure 
proper legislation for the protection of game birds and fish during 
the seasons when it is improper to pursue or to kill them; the en- 
couragement of our citizens in their efforts to increase the varieties 
of and numbers of our game birds and fish, and the organization and 
encouragement of subordinate associations aud clubs for the vigor- 
ous enforcement of all laws against the killing, sale or shipment of 
or having in unlawful jjossession, any such game bii-ds or fish." ' 
By this it will be seen that this is in no sense a trap shooting organ- 
iza ion, although, as incidental to our annual conventions, field days 
are held, Pt which certain prizes are competed for at the trap, by its 
membprs only, notably, a beautiful diamond medal costing $S00, em- 
blematic of individual championship, given by the Board of Trade of 
Chicago, through the kindness of M. O. H. Roache. a member, in 
1881, which medal is held in trust from year to year by its annual 
winner, and a medal or other prize annual, y furnished by the Associ- 
ation for competition liy club teams, and also a cup, which is com- 
peted for annually at targets. These three events constitute all the 
field work of the Associatiou during the year, and this facD puts to 
blush the accusation, often made, that ours is an Association of trap- 
shooters for Irap shooting only. 
This Association has done nearly all that has been done toward the 
protection of game and againso unlawful traffic in it in this Stat«, 
durmg its existence as a .-^tate. Its chief enemy has beeii 
the game dealer, whose commercial iotere&ts prompt him to 
use all necessary means to defeat legislation when favored 
by this Association. He purchases from market-shooters and 
sells prior to the open season game birds so young that they 
might have almost been gathered by hand in the field, without 
the use of gun. He receives from shippers in other States, after the 
season has closed, immense quantities of game, secreted in barrels 
and otherwise, which has been trapped or otherwise unlawfully 
killed; and he re-ships such game to Eastern markets, or holds it in 
cold storage for sale to citizt^ns or members of social clubs, wjio seem 
to think a table must be garnished with game birds, or a banquet 
will not he "up-to-date." even if such game is unpalatable and unfit 
as food for man at the time. Certain Western States are now partly 
relieving us of the duly of watching our game comtnission men, how- 
ever, and their cold storage methods, by the enactment of laws which 
prohibit the shipment of game from such States. Much belter 
would it be if they would enforce the laws again«t the imlawful kill- 
ing. When killed, it is immaterial to game protection where it i.s to 
be utilized as food. But if game is not shipped to our markets from 
other States, we must watch more closely the game dealers, as 
hungry stomachs will cause open mouths, and open mouths will be 
filled, by the aid of such dealers, with game killed in Illinois long 
before the time it is lawful to kill it, unless we are watchful. 
Mere shooting clubs are a detriment and injurious, unle.ss they en- 
force obedience to law in their respective localities They teach men 
the use of the gun by contests at targets at the trap, and thus create 
desire to kill birds in the field, and unless the organizations to which 
they belong make game preservation and not trap-shooting the main 
motive, little regard will be paid as to numbers Df birds killed or the 
dates when killed I favor limiting the number of birds kilted by any 
one during a season ; but when killed, let the owner do as he likes 
vfith the game, provided it be used as food for man. Sportsmen do 
not kill more than theF can use or give to their friends to eat; they 
seldom, if ever, sell game. Sportsmen's papers also cause game de- 
struciion far beyond their abUity to cause its propagation and preser- 
vation Their life more frequently comes from advertising patron- 
age than from lists of suoscribers. They advertise guns, ammuni- 
tion, targets; and urge the organization of trap-shooting clubs and 
publish the scores made as an incentive to patronage. While many 
articles appear in the columns of the better class of these journals 
which are very instructive and enjoyable, as well as useful, the ten- 
dency of late has been to admit to their columns matter which, imder 
the guise of communications or "unprejudiced" editorials, is simply 
intended to create the sale of certain merchandise, or be of use, "as 
sugar is to an old fashioned toddy," in sweetening the patrons of ad- 
vertising columns. Sportsmen's journals are useful, and so are clubs, 
but let the prime motive be game preservation, and eliminate, as far 
as possible, the trap-shooting feature, save only as it stimulates 
toward the suggested purpose. The indifference of citizens who are 
not members of clubs Is another som-ce of game depletion. The law 
of South Dakota last year gave Sept. 1 as the date of the opening 
season for pinnated grouse shooting. Citizens of the State, however, 
left but few b-rds im billed long prior to that date, having commenced 
shooting on Aug. 15. In our State few men care to prosecute viola- 
tors of the law, being neighbors or friends; and when information is 
furnished, it is by persons who decline to assist in a prosecution . 
There should be no friendship between sportsmen and violators 
which interferes in the least with bringing tbe latter to justice. 
The report of our board of directors will give you certain informa- 
tion not necessary for me to anticipate, and the law committee will 
report to you as to matters of interest in relation to legislation and 
the enforcement of tbe law in our State. Lately, Gov. John R. 
Tanner has appointed Mr. Harry W. Loveday as game warden, m 
place of Mr. Charles H. Blow. Mr. Loveday is known to vou all, and 
has of ten been a delegate to our couventlons, You have' known hira 
as being almost too warm in bis friendship, having too laree a heart, 
so to speak, to be a successful detective and prdsecutor; but beyond 
friendships and beyond heart pulsations stands puWic duty, and 
without criticizing the work of his predecessor, as his work is now a 
matter of history, I think and trust Mr. Loveday will make a record 
far superior to any so far made, and which will he gratifying to each 
member of the Association. In substance he has announced as his 
motto. "No true frit-nd of mine will violate our game laws, and, 
officially, it will not only be my duty but' my pleasure to prosecute 
successfully all violators." In a letter from iim received yesterday, 
stating that he must be in Springfield Wednesday morning, hence he 
cannot be with us to-night, he says: "Assure tlie convention that I 
am with them in everything that tends to the protection of game 
and the punishment of offenders of the game laws." It goes without 
saying that every member of this Association will aid him. 
Additional unfriendly legislation has been had in several of our 
sister States, imposing heavy licens" fees to non-resident shooters, 
and but nominal fees to residents. This has caused no little f eehng of 
antagonism among our sportsmen, many of whom are interested m 
club grounds and otherwise in the States referred to, but I have not 
the inclination to here discuss the question, nor you the time to listen 
to me on that .subject. 
But recent events show that some action must be taken, by legisla- 
tion or otherwise, by which the persons and property of the owners 
of lands may be protected from the violence of would be assassins, 
who are sometimes designated as trespassers or poachers instead of 
intended murderers. Many clubs own or lease grounds and stock 
the streams thereon with favorite food fish, and fields with game 
birds, and endeavor to protect their interests with the aid of reput- 
able employees, that in proper season the members of such clubs 
may enjoy outings, as relief {rom the mental and physical strains of 
city life. Often, as at ToUeston, Ind., where a eltib, composed of 
prominent citizens of Chicago, owns property, its employees when in 
the exercise of their duties in protecting a marsh from poachers, are 
viciously assaulted— in one case two being decoyed into an ambush 
and fired upon by two or moreassasms, one employee receiving more 
than flfty No. 4 shot in his shoulder, breast and face, and the other 
also badly wounded; and in another case a rifle ball was shot through 
the side and end of a club boat while it was being occupied by an 
employee Is it a wonder that such acts have led to retaliation by 
individual employees? which retaliation, while not legally excusable, 
is not at all unnatural, and borders on tlie line of self-defense, if it is 
not stsch in fact. No good citiaen— certainly no sportsman— will 
trespass or go upon the lands of another for the purpose of shooting, 
whether it be a farm or a game preserve, when such grounds are posteti 
or known to be private, unless permission has been previously 
granted It is little enough to ask permission, which, being refused, 
gives no cause for trespass, nor yet to send a ball to the owner or his 
employee through the barrel of a Winchester repeater. An unsatis- 
factory attendant to those outrages at ToUeston was that certain 
otherwise reputable papers seldom failed to write against tbe club's 
methods, and by the tone of their articles inspired the would-be 
assassius to further outrages. 
A feature for congratulation is, in another phase of our Associa- 
tion's du'y, that public sentiment against the killing of song birds 
and birds of plumage and insectivorous birds, is being rapidly formu- 
lated, and societies of ladies are accomplishing much to the end 
desired. The labor is mcst commendable, but cannot be wholly suc- 
cessful until the "pestiferous" sparrow has been exterminated 
Our annual meetings are held in May or June. The State Legis- 
lature meets in January, alternate years. It w^ould be best that our 
convention be held early in that mouth, that succpss may follow 
effort in securing proper legislation. Formerly, our field contests 
were at five wild pigeons, which could best be secured in May or 
June. Now they are at domestic birds and targets, and May and 
.lune are mating months for the Ojrmer. 1 recommend that sections 
7 and 10 of our constitution be so amended as to conform to the sug- 
gestion. 
In conclusion I again thank you for the many honors this Associa- 
tion has conferred upon me and for your kindness and patience upon 
this occasion. 
diri5Ctor'.s report. 
The report of the board of managers is likewise clear and able and 
worth use in extended form The futility of past efforts in game law 
matters was taken up and the hope expressed that should the con- 
vention be held earlier iu the year, at the time of the meeting of the 
Leeislature, there might be a hope of more successful effort at 
Springfield. The former game warden, Mr. Blow, was censured by 
the board and the incoming warden, Mr. Loveday, was promised the 
hearty support of the Association in any effort looking toward prac- 
tical protection Lukewarmness of certain branches of the Associa- 
tion was touched upon and full explanation was maileof the difficul- 
ties attending the work of getting out a programme this year. The 
report as filed reads as follows: 
The President and Members of the Illinois State Sportsmen's Asso- 
ciation: 
Our Board cf Directors, in pi«Senting its report of the work done 
during the past year, desire in the first place to call your attention to 
the various difficulties they have labored under. First may be men- 
tioned that not one of the resident rour members has escaped a long 
spell of illness, either of himself or family, which deprived the Board 
of his services for long periods. Our worthy president. Col. Felton, 
was himself injured whhe hunting last fall and confined to the house 
most of the winter. On two or three members at a time, therefore, 
including our secretary, fell all the woi k, and it has been by no means 
easy. 
Early last fall tbe law committee, at the request of your Board of 
Directors, and with the assistance of Mr. F, S. Baird, drafted two bills 
which were presented to the Legislature. Your Board was in attend- 
ance at Springfield accompanied by Mr. Baird to plead for the passage 
of those bills. We had many promises of assistance from members 
of both Houses, but we had our same old enemy to fight, namely. 
South Water street, and as usual we were defeated. The first bill', 
known as the "Game Warden Bill," got as far as the committee on 
fish and game in the House, but in spite of the fact that it was an 
eminently just and fair bill, there it was killed. The fate of the other 
bill will doubtless be the same, as of course it called for protection; 
protection for the bird, protection for tbe farmer and protection for 
the sportsman ; but not protection for South Water street in its desire 
to sell game all the year, and hence it is also doomed to die. 
We were met by lies, treachery and deceit; our supposed alMes 
deserted us for the enemy ; politics aud money were, as usual, all 
powerful, and, as usual, we failed, having nothing but justice to 
plead for us, nor can we ever^ucceed if the work is to devolve on two 
or three men. We obtain no assistance from our brother sportsmen 
in the country. Not one of them ever turns a finger to help us by 
obtaining the help of his representative in the Legislature. No coun- 
try club or city club either, for that matter, ever manes an effort to 
assist the officers of the Association. Alone at Springfield, with- 
out one f rieuQ pledged to support honest game legislatien , without help 
from any quarter, and opposed by an interest which has thousands 
of dollars at stake, what chance have we for a good law? The pre- 
sent line of action must be abandoned It can never be successful. 
Unless every club in this State uses its direct influence through its 
every member in pledging our law makers in advance, to forward the 
interests of a fair bill, we must retreat from the field where we have 
so often been repulsed. 
We must declare ourselves here to-night Either we abandon the 
chief objects of our Association, which are the preservation of fish 
and game, and the enforcement of laws governing such preservation, 
and devote ourselves exclusively to the sport of trap shooting, or else 
as clubs and as members we must pledge ourselves to earnest work, 
and we must keep tliat pledge. As you are all well aware, far too 
much time has been already wasted, and already our prairies, our 
marshes and our sti'eams are too nearly depopulated to admit of 
further delay or inaction. 
We have nad a game warden for some years, appointed by that 
archenemy of game preservation, ex-Qov. John P. Altgeld. Your 
Board has during the past year received many complaints of his ac- 
tions, but it is sufficient at this time, in view of the fact that he 
has lately been removed from office at the urgent request of your 
Board, to state that he was thoroughly unsatisfactory to all but South 
Water street. Our new game warden has pledged his earnest support 
of the present laws and their impartial enforcement. In every pos- 
sible manner he should receive the hearty aid of every sportsman in 
the State, and it his pm pose be sincere, he should not be handicapped 
by even lukewarm sympathy. The fullest support is what is needed. 
Your Board heartily welcomes Mr, Loveday's pledges, and trusts 
that through no cause win he fail in his work. 
The previous secretary and treasurer of the Association, Herman 
B. Meyers, deserves your unqualified censure. Although his term of 
office expired nearly a year ago, reither the present secretary nor 
your Board were able to get a complete statement of his accounts 
until very recently, and that proved one of our greatest obstacles in 
issuing our programme of the present convention. As he was not 
under bond, imfortunately, we were powerless to compel him to ren- 
der an accounting; and as he refused to turn over the cash balance 
in his hands, we were without money for a long time, Your Board 
recommends that in future the secretary and treasurer be comp^lU d 
to furnish acceptable bonds, and that it be the duty of the President 
to demand same. 
We would also recommend for various reasions that the date of the 
convention be changed to one of the earlier months, at least during 
years when the Legislature is in session; Perhaps then we could ac- 
complish soniething at Springfield. 
In presenting you our programme for this week's sport, we do so, 
feeling that it would have been a better one had we not met so many 
obstacles, one of the chief of wtich is the failure of the great clubs of 
the State to subscribe according to their means to our cash prizes. 
As you will note, but three of the city clubs and two from the coimtry 
have seen fit to respond to our requests for subscriptions. Tourna- 
ments cannot be supported that way, and if the clubs want liberal 
prizes, each should contribute to the support of the Association. We 
trust the clubs will not he so niggardly in their support another year. 
We have, however, done the best possible with the means at our dis- 
posal; and submit to you the programme, hoping for your approval 
of our work. 
KEPOHT OF I/AV COMMITTEE. 
Mr. Mott, chairman of the law committee, reported that his 
accounting must be largely of a negative nature. There had been 
no legislation obtained by the sportsmen, nor did he think there 
would be any change from the present law, unless there might be 
passed a certain vicious bill, instituted by South Water street and 
aided by otu- former respected warden Mr. Blow. He thought there 
would be no other changes in the game laws at the present session of 
the Legislature. He did not think the present officers of the Associa- 
tion should be blamed, nor did he think any other officers would 
have been able to do much better jn their position. Mr. Mott referred 
totUe fact that previous to the appointment of Warden Loveday a 
prominent game dealer had boasted that nothing could be done 
which could prevent the appointment of Mr. Loveday as wajden. To 
this fact he attached no inferences. 
Mr. Mott stated that a recent court decision had passed upon the 
question of using decoy letters for the purpose of using evidence. A 
certain Supreme Court had decided that decoy letters could not be 
used to convict a postal employee of theft. He did not tliink they 
could be used to secure evidence in game cases. 
secretary's risport. 
Mr. Btasell, secretary and treasurer, made a brief report showing 
that he had received $730 and expended $432. 
Mr. Bissell said he had had trouble in getting out a programme, but 
the delay had been due to the fact; that a good contract with publish- 
ers could not be closed. He stated that he had had a great deal of 
trouble in getting a statement of accounts from his predecessor in 
offl je, nor could he get access to the books without difficulty. Some- 
thing in the wording of Mr Bissell's report led Mr. W. L. Shepard, 
formerly president of the Association, and for many years its secre- 
tary, to infer that allusion was made also to himself and his method 
of keeping the records, and Mr. Shepard, with what seemed quite 
unnecessary warmth, arose and protested against such accusations. 
Mr. Bissell explained that he intended no reference to anyone but the 
secretary who had preceded him in office, and h's report was so 
changed in its wording before being placed on file. 
Mr. Forest, of the gun club to which the former secretary belonged, 
asked of the Chair that he might have a conference with the Board of 
Du-ectors. looking to the clearing up of the charges against his fellow 
club member. This conference was held, and restitution of one or 
two small sums was made to the former secretary, who claimed to 
have made an unintentional error in entering one name too many in 
last year's medal shoot. 
FURTHER BDSINBSS. 
A letter was read from the new warden, Mr. Harry W. Loveday, 
stating that he was obliged to go to Springfield and so could not be 
present at the convention, but that it was his wish to counsel with 
the Association and to work with it in all possible ways. 
Mr. A. C. Patterson, of Calumet Heights Gun Club, brought up 
under tbe head of unfinished business the change in the shooting 
rules which be had proposed last year, amending Rule 11, on Hve bird 
shooting, so that it should not call for the gun to be held below the 
armpit, but should read, "Position of the gim to be any that the 
shooter may desire." Mr Patterson stated that the latter clause 
was now to be found in the majority of the shooting rules all over the 
couniry. There was some little talk begun on this motion. 
TO.M MARSHALL AND THE 10-OAUGB RULES. 
But just here is where tne fun began. Before Mr Patterson and 
his friends had been able to crowd the proposed amendment to a 
vote, there arose from the corner of the room, jusc to the right of the 
president's chair, the swarthy face and sturdy form of Tom Marshall, 
of Keithsburg. one of the best known and most popular shooters of 
the country, as well as of Illinois and of the Illinois Association. 
Tom Marshall is a champion shooter, as all readers of trap-shooting 
columns know. From this time on he may be given a title still more 
to be coveted and far more permanent. He appeared as the cham- 
pion of the intelligent sportsmanship of Illinois. By his few words of 
direct .opeech, and the magnetism of his personality, he aceompUshed 
what the leading men of this association have for years sought in 
vain to do. He knocked out the fossilized 10-gauge rule. 
Mr. Marshafi said, "Mr. Chairman, I wi.sh to inquire whether it takes 
a .vear to amend the shooting rules ot this Association?" 
The chau'man replied that, while such had been the understanding, 
and that while Mr. Patterson's propo.sed amendment had been offereti 
under that understanding, he was unable to find anything in the con- 
stitution or by-laws making that the case, nor could any of the oldest 
members of the Association point out such a clause. 
Mr. Marshall then said, "Mr President, I move you that thellHnois 
State rules be abandoned entirely, and that we substitute therefor 
those of the American Shooting Association." 
The motion was, by conset of Mr Patterson, offered as a substitute 
to Mr Patterson's mo ion. The fight was then on at once, and every- 
body in the room knew that the old-time question of the absurd 10- 
gauge rules was up again for decision, and that never before had the 
fight against these rules been so strong or so well led. 
A curious complica ion arore at' this time. Col. Felton, the presi- 
dent of the Association, had practically been the author and con- 
triver of the Illinois State rules, although the odious lO-gauge clause 
had been forced upon him aghinst his will, as of course Col. Felfcon 
was intelligent sportsman enough to recognize the world-wide prin- 
ciple of handicap. Col. Felton now saw that if the 10 gauge idea 
was knocked out by Mr. Marshall's motion he must lose also the 
whole set of rules wnich he had labored so earnestly to frame. He 
therefore decided that he must speak upon this motion, and asked 
Vice-President Franklyn to take the chair. Col. Felton said that 
while he did not claim to be familiar with "these Eastern rules," he 
considered them very imperfect. He said, "If we adopt these rules 
then we admit that we are a trap-shooting body only. We should 
not care what the trap shooting rules of the country are unless we 
are mostly concerned in trap-shooting." Col. Felton claimed that the 
Illinois rules were the most perfect shooting rules ever yet framed. 
He thought that the 10-gauge clause should be modified, as it was not 
right that 10s and 12s should shoot at the same score, but none the 
less that clause had been passed as the pleasure <if this body, not 
only once, but more than once. He said he would favor Mr. Patter- 
son's amendments to the position of the gun, but could not tolerate 
the thought of ihe abolishment of the rules which made the Illinois 
State Sportsmen's Association a distinctive body, and not merely one 
more trap-shooting association. 
Mr. Marshall spoke again briefly, jerkily, but forcibly and clearly 
to the point of his motion, and evidently his audience went with him 
at every word He stated that he did not mean this* motion to mean 
disruption, but uniformity, that to take up the A. S. A. rules would 
be to put the Association iu line with the rest of the country, and to 
follow a course which had been declared a good one by the men of 
the country who did the shooting and the thinking In regard to the 
shooting. 
Mr. Mott spoke also in favor of the Marshall motion. He said: 
"Are we so great that we need special rules for ourselves? Why 
should we not have rules that are good enough for everybody else? 
Our chairman thinks we should appear to be a trap-shooting body if 
we look up these new rules, but I think we shall appear to be a trap- 
shooting body, and a very stickling one if we hang to the old rules. 
It is beneath us this repeated discussion over these rules. Ijst us 
take up the rules which will make us uniform with the rest of the 
country. 
Mr Mott's remarks were greeted with applause, though applause, 
from the other side of the bouse came when Mr. Smith spoke in favor 
of the old-time rules. At this point Mr. Organ made his annual 
motion to table tbe whole thing. Ordinarily this motion is carried as 
one of the formalities of the year, but it was not thus this year. 
There was a ringing vote on each side, and a division being claimed 
the roll call was ordered. This was a long process, but before the 
fourth club had registered its vote the chorus of "Noes" was becom- 
ing so steady that Mr. Organ saw the motion to table was lost, and 
asked to withdraw the motion. The chair decided the motion to be 
lost. Mr. Marshall's motion then came up and was put with practi- 
cally no further discussion, althotigh Mr. Baird had risen on a point 
of information, asking to be informed on certaiu potnteof the A. S. A. 
