The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-01-19
Make Way for the Fish.

Our contemporary the Wing, in one Of its
recent pleasant articles on sporting, spoke
of the great deprivation of the population
lying on the rivers by the stopping of fish
by the dams on those streams. In early
days they were blessed with an abundance
Of fsh. including shad and rock, which
aecended the streams in spring to spawn
and refresh themselves in the fimpid rum
ming waters after many months of way
ward and perilous existence in the salt
seas. The dams multiplied and limited the
extent of their inland Journey by degrees,
until now there is but little chance for them
above tide-water. This is great affection
to the fish, and hardly less so to the upper
river" people, who hold these visitors from
the sea in great esteem.
Indeed, the right Of way to these fish is a
sort of political right, and as the people are
equally interested with the fish in its being
secured to them, their claims assume a
dignity and force that can hardly be re-
sisted.
The question is, How shall the way be
opened to the fish The Wing called atten-
ton the fish-ladders " used in England
and some parts Of Europe to enable the
I" finney tribe" to ascend the dams. The
exact mode of construction of these ap-
pliances it did not understand, but sug-
gested that it could be readily ascertained.
The attention of the considerate President
of the James River and Kanawha Com
pany was thus called to this interesting
subject, and we are gratifed to see that he
has set on foot an inquiry on the subject,
in order to see what can be done to give the
fish free passage towards the head-waters.
We copy the following letter, written by
him, which we find in the New York Citi'
zen. We trust Major CARRINGToN's in
quiries may end in some practical meant
of restoring to the people of the upper
James the fish of which they have been
deprived by those dams, which have pro
yoked as much "cussin and discussin " as
any other works of art in the land:
"OFr1cE OF THE JAMES RIVER AND X. Co.,
"R1cHNoND, VA, December q, 1865.
"Dear Sir,-I venture to ask of You the fl
vor of information and advice with referenc,
TO the best flsh-ladders now in use-whethel
those used have proved Il success, and as IL
! the best course which l shall adopt to secure
| these ladders and their erection on the dams o.
| the James River and Kanawha Compan!
| across james river. These dams now eft
| fectually bar the ascent of fish. and remedy
| for this would be such benevolence 10 oul
people that I am constrained to appeal TO yol
FOR all the aid, by way of advice and informa
| ton, which your engagements will permit.
~ observe that the great spor tsman Of TIT
| world, Mr.. J. Parker Gilmore, is with you
| and that he has brought with him from Eng
| land, as present to the New York Commits
1 sioners of Fisheries, models of the best fish
! ladders now in use in England. l am pro
| foundry ignorant with reference to this whole
| subject but In view of its importance,
| very recklessly, and fear you will think OBJ
| trusively, throw myself upon your charity
| for enlightenment and aid.
"Hoping that You will pardon the liberty
| which have taken, and the trouble which
| this letter may occasion you, am, with grea
| respect, your obedient servant,
'"CHARLEs S.'CARRISGToS, President OF
flames River and Kanawha Company"