178 
June 10 
OHIO STATE SPORTS.HEA’S COXYEATIOA. 
The Ohio State Sportsmen's Association assembled at the Ken- 
nard House, Clereland, at 11 o'clock, Tuesday morning. The con- 
rention was called to order by A. T. Briusmade; Thomas A. Logan 
of Cincinnati, was secretary. 
LIST OP DELEGATES. 
Maumee Talley Shooting Association of Toledo— Z. C. Pheatt, 
C. O. Brigham, W. B. Wiltcbank, R. W. Matthews, W m. Schausen- 
bach. 
Clereland Sportsmen’s Clnb — George R. Trttle. H. H. Brown, H. 
A. Harvey, W. J. Farrar and F. H. Mason. 
Summit Sporting Club of Akron— Edward Taslor, James Hop- 
kins, Wm. Palmer, T. B. Albert, D. W. Thomas. 
Sportsmen's Shooting Club of Norwalk— Joseph Casper, W. L. 
Harrod, W. H. Cleveland, Malcom Patrick, F. H. Putnam. 
Cuvier Club of Cincinnati— T. A. Harris, Benjamm Robinson, 
Sr.. Benjamin Robinson, Jr., F. A. Logan, Hon. Milton Sayler. 
Cincinnati Shooting and Fishing Club — Wm. Caldwell, George 
W. Pickard. 
Bedford Sportsmen's Club— R. C. Smith, L. D. Cox, R. D. Wil- 
liams, E. T. Matthews, M. C. Wakefield. 
Winous Point Shooting Clnb of Cleveland— Fayette Brown, Ralph 
Worthington, John R. Ranney, D. W. Cross, C. W. Doubleday. 
EEPOBTS OP STAKDING COMMITTEES. 
Colonel L. A. Harris of Cincinnati, chairman of the standing 
committee on Rules, Regulations and Game Laws, said that while 
the committee had nothing definite to report on the question of 
game laws, they were confident that the present laws were entirely 
Inadequate to the demands of the case; that the General Assembly 
should be visited by proper delegations and petitioned to pass more 
effectual laws. He was of the opinion that they had never thor- 
oughly understood the actual wants of the case and the matter 
Ehould be more plainly brought before them. Communication 
should be had with clubs throughout the State and a right under- 
standing bad on the issue. Laws that would suit one portion uf the 
State would not answer in another, and these differences should in 
some way be conciliated. Mr. Harris thought the matter should re- 
ceive further attention by the new committee on the subject. The 
report was received. 
CHANGES IN THE CONSTITCTION. 
On the question of rules and regulations the committee recom- 
mended certain changes in the constitution and by-laws which were 
adopted. They were as follows: 
Article 1st of the constitution was changed so that the title of the 
association shall be “Ohio State Association for the Protection of 
Game and Fish. ” 
The following section in Article three was amended by striking 
out the words, “may take part in all contests ’’ 
Honorary and all other members, (not professional trap shots) of 
any clnb within the State that shall belong to this association may 
lake part in all contests, and shall be entitled to all rights and privi- 
leges as delegates, except voting and holding office. 
The following new article was added to the constitution: 
Shooting tournaments where pigeons or other birds are used shall 
not be permitted under the auspices of or receive the support of this 
association. 
This article having been added, all the old by-laws relating to 
trap shooting were dropped. This change does not debar any mem- 
ber from shooting at tournaments or at private trap shooting. It 
simply hinders the association as a body from supporting or connte. 
nancing tournaments. 
FISH CEXTrUE. 
Dr. Sterling of Cleveland, was invited to address the convention. 
He said that the propagation of fish w as a most commendable ob- 
ject, The better qualities of fish, if the proper care was taken in 
their culture, could be made as cheap in this part of the country as 
in the East. Shad and white fish should be as plenty jand cheap 
here as elsewhere. He said that there are very few streams in Ohio 
that would support foreign fish. Lake Erie might be made much 
more productive than it is by the proper plans being followed. 
TBANSPOETATION OP DOGS. 
On motion of Mr. Logan it was— 
Resolved, That the officers for the ensuing year appoint a com- 
mittee to endeavor to make an arrangement with the leading rail- 
roads of the State whereby a fixed fare and suitable aecommoda- 
tions s hall be established for all dogs carried on their lines. 
ELECTION OP OPFICEBS. 
The following officers were elected by ballot to serve the ensuing 
yean Thomas A. Logan, President, Cincinnati; C. O. Brigham 1st 
V. P., Toledo; D. W. Thomas, 'Jd V. P., Akron; R. C. Smith, Rec. 
Sec , Bedford; W. B. Wiltbank, Cor. Sec., Toledo; Harvey H. 
Brown. Treas., Cleveland. 
The next meeting of the State Association will be held in Cincin- 
nati on the third Wednesday of June, 1876. After a resolution of 
thanks to Mr. McClosky, proprietor of the Eennard House, for the 
use of his parlors, the convention adjourned sine die. 
The Game Laws amendment bill in England is postponed for this 
session. A bill restricting vivisection of animals has been brought 
in. The Pollution of Rivers bill is before the house, but the provis- 
ions seem to entail a great load of proof on the public prosecutor, 
and leaves the defendant too much latitude and ^immunity. 
M. Gokges new fish preserving fluid is said to be a perfect success 
It not only preserves the fish in wholesome condition but preserves 
its appearance. W e must confess to weak distaste lor chemical 
preparations in matters alimentary. It has a physicky sound. Still 
all nature is a vast chemical laboratory. Mr. Frank Bnckland sus- 
tains the new compound as being at once innocuous and effective, 
and where ice is difficult to obtain it should be a success. 
“ Dad, if I were to see a duck on the wing, and were to shoot it 
would you lick me?’’ “ O, no, my son; it would show that you 
were a good marksman, and I would be proud of you.’’ “Well, 
then, dad. I peppered our old Muscove duck as ha was flyin’ over 
the fence to-day, and it would have done you good to see him 
drop.’’ 
The Rod and the Gen gets so many kind words that our faith 
in it is justified. 'Why dont our subscribers try it for advertising. 
Put your money where it will do most good. 
THE \ATI0XAL SPORTSHE.X'S ASSOCIATIOX 
I.\ CO.WEMIOX. 
EIGHTEEN STATES IN COUNCIL. 
The ^vational SportemcD's Convention met at Brainard’g Opera 
Honse in the evening of Tuesday. June 8. The meeting was called 
to order by the president, Hon. A. T. Bnnsmade. In the absence* 
of the regular secretary, T. C. Banks, of The Rod and GtT?, was 
appointed to fill the vacancy. Jonathan Sidway of Buffalo, W. J. 
Babcock of Rochester, and Dr. Holmes of Michigan, were appointed 
a Committee on Credentials. 
President Brinsmade then addressed the convention as follows: 
Gextlemek op thz Coxvextiox: With pleasure we welcome you 
to this, the second convening of the National Sportsmen's Associa- 
tion— an association yet in its intancy, having been organized less 
than a year — bni which has nevertheless developed strejgth day by 
day, proving beyond questio’'. that it will accomplish in time all that 
is, or was expected of it. 
Its purposes as set forth in the resolutions adopted at the time of 
its organization are: The protection ol same and fish in all the 
States and Territories, by procuring the passage in each State, and 
in the Congress of the V nited States of uniform co-operation and cou- 
sisunt laws, strictly prohibiting their destruction duiingthe breed- 
ing, nesting and spawning seasons, and reasonable time preceding 
and follovtiog the same: prohibiting the capture and destruction 
of certain species of game birds in nets and traps during any and all 
seasons; prohibiting the catching and destruction of fish, in the now 
navigable lakes and streams, with nets or by means of chemical^; 
prohibiting the obstructing of the free passage of fish by nets across 
such streams, and by the creation of fish dams and traps; and to 
procure the passage of such other and further legislation as might 
be necessary and proper for the full accomplishment of its purpose; 
second, through subordinate organizations, to is-^ue a rigid enforce- 
ment of all the game and fish protection laws now or hereafter to be 
enaeted; third, to secure by and through proper legislation the 
right of property in useful hunting dogs, making them, when stolen, 
the subject of larceny, or when wantonly killed or maimed the sub- 
ject of a misdemeanor; fourth, to secure, through and by proper 
legislation, the passage of laws prohibiting at any time and season 
the killing or destruction of all song and non-game birds; to organ- 
ize and consolidate under State jurisdiction, game and fish protect- 
ive clubs or associations in each State and Territory, to act under 
the jurisdiction of the National Association in securing and enforc- 
ing proper protective legislation. 
Since the organization of the association at Niagara Falls in Sep- 
tember last, very much has been accomplished, and it has been fully 
demonstrated that its formation was wise, and I may say. absolutely 
demanded. Several Stale organizations have since been formed; 
clubs, auxiliary to these, have also sprung up everywhere, and a de- 
termination is manifested by all sportsmen to have our fish and 
game protected. The attention of Stale legislatures has been called 
to the necessity of having our rivers Ir.ues and reservoirs re-stocked 
with fish, and several States have taken definite action, and made 
liberal appropriations for such purpose. And I may here add t*iat 
the Fish Commissioners in the several Stales hare entered into their 
work with commendable zea). and the result of their efforts is al- 
ready manifest. 
The subject of fish culture, as Mr. Roosevelt well says, “has 
passed from the realm of experiment into absointe certainty," and 
as it is true that one acre of water will produce more food than one 
acre of land, the subject is one of great importance to the people at 
large. Relaxation for the professional man and for the artisan in 
every vocation is a positive necessity. No man can tax bis brain, 
or follow the treadmill of business routine unceasingly with im- 
punity. Recreation restores the equilibrium of body and mind, 
and we are painful and not nnfrequent witnesses of the riolaiion 
of this law of nature. The prolongation of life, the maintenance of 
health, the preservation of mental and physical vigor render a re- 
sort to an entire change of thought, feeling and action, an impera- 
tive duty, and it is oA\y to the uninitiated I need say that this can 
scarcely be found more effectnally than w ith gun or rod in band 
traversing the fields and forests or following the stream, thus secur- 
ing at once an appetite and food to satisfy it, to be succeeded by 
that profound rest and slumber that restore health, give renewal of 
energy and a new lease of life. As has been well said, “To secure 
the highest benefit from exercise, it must be combined sriih amuse- 
ment;" and of all out-door amusements, perhaps the most fascinat- 
ing is shooting birds upon the wing. The management and conduct 
of a well-trained dog in hunting; the exciting moment between the 
finding and sudden flight of the bird; the skill and coolness neces- 
sary to bring him down before he gets beyond range; and lastly, 
the securing and bagging him, altogether make up a little drama 
complete and perfect in itself, that to be understood and enjoyed 
must be experienced. 
Fniformity in game laws in the several States so far a? practica- 
ble 18 greatly needed, and this important subject will, without doubt, 
engage much of the attention of this association. Its impKirtance 
cannot he overestimated, and when attained w'e trust they may re 
main in statu quo. Tliere is scarcely a leg»islative session in any 
State where amendments to these laws are not enacted, and wehave 
“confusion worse confounded." Certain geographical zoues can be 
established in which we can have substantially the same laws. A 
law for the State of Illinois will not answer for the State of Ver- 
mont, but that of Illinois will generally answer for States conligu- 
ons, and the same with Vermont. Again, in several of the States I 
notice they have local or special laws, appli-^able to particular sec- 
tions, but it seems to me that one general law would be sufficient, 
create less confusion, disencumber the statutes, and save much of 
the time of the law-makers. The proper persons to consult and ad- 
vise with in reference to needed legislation for protection of game, 
are sportsmen and scientists, men of practical knowledge. 
The General Government undoubtedly cannot legislate upon game 
laws so far as the States are concerned, and such work must neces- 
sarily fall upon Sute legislatures. I cannot, therefore, too strongly 
recommend to brother sportsmen in every State in the Union, 
where no State association exists, the immediate formation of such, 
and then spare no endeavor to prevent the passage of any law af- 
fecting the game laws which it cannot sanction. 
We also invoked the assistance and co-operation of our brethren 
in the Prorinces. so that their game laws may he, so far as practica- 
ble, uniform with those in States contiguous to their borders. Game 
is now a luxury, and that it may b« enjoyed without invidious dis- 
tinction by the poor as well as the rich, we desire iu protection dur- 
ing the seasons of incubation and producing, as writhout such pro- 
tection it will beonly a question of lime when nearly all game wrill 
become extinct. 
It is the earnest desire of all genuine and honorable sportsmen to 
be on terms of fnendsbip with the farmer. A bitter feeling has 
grown up in the breast of the latter against hunters, and I am net 
prepared to say but that in many cases he has good cause for con- 
sidering them his enemies, and then the true sportsman is made to 
suffer for the wanton and oft-times malicious acts of the straggling 
hunter. It is no pleasant thing for a farmer to have his fauces tom 
down, h-s cattle ai large, crops trampled, hay-stacks burned, fruit 
stolen, and himself defied and insulted. 
No gentleman xvill be guilty, of such depredations, bat only a 
lawless, irresponsible fellow, who ought to snffar the penally for the 
violation of those very law s that sport'^men and farmers are alike in- 
terested to see maintained. We are the friend and ally of the far- 
mer, and consider a'l marauding acts quite as reprehensible as he 
can, and in the maintenance of good fellowship desire and seek the 
protection of his property, and ask bis co-operation in the defence 
of wholesome game laws. 
Our birds of plumage and song, harmless and useful birds, other 
than game, must be pr tected: strange it is that laws are required 
for their protection, for it would be supposed that they, at least, 
would be spared, beautiful to the sight and charming to the ear; 
they too, are wantonly and wickedly killed, not by the sportsman, 
but by the stra^liog hunter, for the misdeeds of whom sportsmen 
suffer. We have in the State of Ohio laws protecting certain birds 
at all limes of the year, but how frequently do we see them lying 
dead by the wayside. Mi helet says: 
“Numerous species of birds no longer make a halt in France; one 
with difficulty descr es them flying at inaccessible elevations de- 
ploying their wings in haste, accelerating their passage saving: ‘pass 
on, pass on quickly; let us avoid the land of death, the land of de- 
struction.’ " 
Brother sportsmen, let us look weU to it that our laws are strictly 
enforced. 
We have several excellent papers in the country especially devoted 
to matters of interest to sportsmen, and their efforts for the further- 
ance of the same objects as those of this association commend them 
to our peru-al and w:irm patronage. Their columns, open to corres- 
pondence, are an avenue for the communication, and for the receiv- 
ing of useful information, and in behalf of this Association, I desire 
to tender thanks to the editors for the kind words and invalaable as- 
sistance they have so cheerfully accorded to us. 
I would respectfully recommend to the several State SportsmsH s 
associations to publish in a compact form tbs game laws in force in 
their respective Stales, and have them generally circulated and 
pasted in con«picaous places, so that all may know the law; and re- 
quest alsalhc local auxiliary clubs to off nr suitable rewards for the 
apprehension and conviction of all offenders against the same, 
whosoever they may be. A law amounts to nothing unlcis en- 
forced, and let it be known that hereafter all our game laws must l>e 
rigidly ohsen'ed. In this connection I would also recommend the 
formation of local associations in, at least, every county, auxiliary 
to the State associations; the members of each such organization to 
come from all classes in the community, including the farmer, the 
mechanic, the merchant, or any respectable man, for the object in 
view is for the general good, and claims a common intereet, 
And now, gentlemen, haring a common interest In the protection 
of our fish and game, let us in the coming years, so far -as possible, 
exert our energies toward this object, and I am sure that no one will 
have cause to regret anyihing he may so do in that behalf. 
I trust that our meeting w 11 be a pleasant one, that no person will 
regret being with ns, and that our deliberations and actions will be 
of benefit to all. The National Sportsmen's Association is destined 
to succeed, for its members are gentlemen, and no true sportsman 
can be otherwise. We ask the advice and co-operatmn of all sports - 
men and scientific gentlemen, wherever they may be located, and do 
confidently assure them that the National will steadfastly pursue 
the purposes and objects for which it was orgainzed. 
Mr. Charles Hallock of New York, read a paper on “Unclean 
Creatures," which, with the other papers read at the meeting, will 
be found elsewhere. 
At the conclusion of his reading en invitation was received from 
the Kirtland Society, asking the delegates to the convention to visit 
the rooms of the Natural History Department of that society, in 
Case Hall. Accepted. 
The meeting then adjourned to next morning. 
SECOND DAY, WEDNESDAY. 
The Convention re-assembled at the Kennard House parlors on 
Wednesday morning at 9 o’clock, the President, A. T. Brinsmade in 
the chair. 
LIST OF DELEGATES. 
The chairman of the Committee on Credentials then submitted 
the following partial report, naming the accompanying list of dele- 
gates as entitled to seats in the convention: 
Massachusetts — Jerome Marble, Worcester; S. T. Hannand, 
Springfield; Luther Adams, Boston; George Delano, New Bedford; 
T. L. Sturtevant, Framingham. 
Connecticut— R. O. Cheeney, South Manchester, WilUam Hum- 
phreys, West Meriden; Henry B. Harrison, New Haven; H. J. 
Houghton, Walerbury; A. C. Hobbs, Bridgeport. 
Vermont— Dr. M. C, Edmunds, Weston; George Gregory Smith, 
St. Albans; Colonel M. S., Colburn, Factory Point; Dr. G. F. Gale, 
Braltleboro; Gen. W. H. W. Ripley, Rutland. 
New York— Charles Hallock, New York City; R. P. Flower, Wa- 
tertown; William J. Babcock, Rochester; A. B. Lamberton, Roch- 
ester; Jonathan Sidway, Buffalo, 
Ohio — L. A. Harris. Cincinnati: R. C. Smith, Bedford; Edward 
Taylor, Akron; Z. C. Pheatt. Toledo; Henry A. Harvey, Cleve- 
land. 
lUinois— J. V. LeMoyne, Chicago; F. P. Hopkins, Palatine; W. 
F. Milligan, Chicago; D. F. Ellston, Chicago ; John L. Pratt, 
Sycamore. 
i^chigan— Robert P. Jones, Detroit; W. C, Colburn, Detroit; E. 
