Knoxville Journal

Sportsmen and Farmers.

The farmers as a class do not desire to mar the recreation of any class of men, and do not object to honorable sportsmen killing off a portion of the game if they are only met in a proper spirit. The rule is that the man of genteel leisure starts out into the country, armed and equipped with all the modern appliances for killing game, and with the idea that he is going among a class of men who are beneath him in point of intelligence and importance. Instead of passing in at the front gate and asking permission to shoot over the stubble and pasture-fields or uncultivated portions of the farm he skulks in from the rear, travels through the growing crops, leaves gates open and fences down where cattle may enter, and if game is found, shoots in all directions, regardless of frightening horses at work or of injuring the men engaged in cultivating the farm or gathering the crops; and when remonstrated with these men of leisure retaliate with profane and insolent language and threaten violence to any person who dare stop them in their pastimes, and not unfrequently fill their game bags with poultry that may have strayed from the barnyard. Now let us see how farmers are treated. When they have occasion to go to the city or village they are frequently scoffed and sneered at by the same genteel idlers, who sit with heels elevated upon hotel or tavern stoops, their turn-out, dress and personal appearance subjected to the most ungentlemanly criticism. If they should attempt to trespass upon private property an officer has them by the neck and marches them off to the station-house like a convicted felon. If he comes for the purpose of selling the produce of his farm, he is made to pay a rental for standing his wagon in the filthy gutter of some narrow street, as is the case in New York city, where they pay a market fee, but are liable to be removed by an officer upon complaint of any huckster or curbstone speculator who may choose to set down a few barrels or crates upon the sidewalk. After such treatment as this, it is but natural that hostile feelings should be engendered, and if the sportsmen desire to enjoy the sport of the field unmolested, they should interest themselves and see that the farmers are treated with some consideration, rather than attempting to pass arbitrary laws in our legislative halls. I hope that the sporting men may adopt milder measures to secure the enjoyment they so much desire, and interest themselves in having those privileges accorded to the farmer which in justice he is entitled to.—John O'Donnell, in Turf, Field and Farm.