From The Times Dispatch, January 28, 1914. By T. L. H.
I take it, Mr. Speaker,
That these are solemn facts:
When for a thing’s protection
Our Legislature acts,
It accomplishes protection
By imposing further tax.
We’ve protected our oysters
By this efficient plan:
They can only be destroyed
By a duly licensed man.
We’ve protected our fishes
In our rivers and our bays
By seeing that the fellow
Who exterminates them pays.
It appears now, Mr. Speaker,
We are asked to do the same
Very simple operation
For protection of our game.
The fellow who in autumn
Sallies forth with dog and gun
Must pay the state a license
Ere he starts to have his fun.
The effect of which provision
Very naturally will be
That when the would-be hunter
Has surrendered up his fee
He will not feel that he can do
Another thing on earth
Except to take his gun and dog
And get his money’s worth;
And while the hunting season lasts
He’ll never lose a day
For fear he will not get the worth
Of what he’s had to pay.
And yet the game that’s slaughtered
By a legal licensee
Is really just about as dead
As any game can be.
And while no doubt our furred and feathered
Friends will give their lives
Uncomplainingly if by that act
The Old Dominion thrives,
You’ll forgive me, Mr. Speaker,
If this act I’m bound to term a
Effort to protect the varmints
By a sort of Tax-idermy.