The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-03-13
An Interview er.

Young Parker, who is reporter on
the Washington Spy, was telling me the
other day about the difficulty he had in
obtaining information upon certain re-
cent occasion, and / asked him to write
out an account of it for me. 1t is as
follows
The editor, you know, was excited
about that Halifax fishery award, and
he told me to 60 around to the different
departments, and interview some of the
leading men upon the fishery troubles
SO started, and the first man | called
on was the President
''Mr. President, l called to see you
about the Halifax"
"There is no consulship vacant in that
region, sir" he answered, quickly; 'all
filled"
81 wanted to see what you think
about the"
elbow can you see what think, sir!'
he inquired, sternly.
"Permit me to explain. You know
the dispute that has arisen about the ac-
ton of the Canadians in driving our
citizens off of the fishing grounds !!
And"
"No, sir, l do not know. l know
nothing about fishing grounds. l always
fish in the water"
eff l understand the matter, Mr..
President, the Americans had quantity
of herring in seine; and were"
81 never saw an insane herring in my
life" he said, impatiently,
"There was school in the bay, you
know, and"
ga school in the bay Mr.. Rogers,
show this young man out. He talks too
wildly. Wants to fish on the ground
and 60 to school in the water ~ Good
morning, sir.
So then l called upon Secretary Sher-
man. He was writing his report.
"Mr Sherman, l have called upon you
in relation to the fisheries"
Haven't time to attend to you now,
sir" he said, without looking up. eff
you're going for catties fish off the long
bridge and put old cheese on your hooks.
Wormsll do for suckers. Good morn
ing"
l walked over to see Secretary Schurz.
"Mr. Schurz, will you be kind enough
to tell me your opinion of the fishery
business p
ooh, l have no opinion. When l was
a boy, in Germany, l always fshed with
. pinhook and piece of string. l
found they bit better at grasshoppers
than at anything else. That is, except
ing cells. l don't care for cells myself.
They always swallow the hook and line,
and they are good for nothing except
that the skin tied around your leg'll
keep off cramps when you 60 in swim
ming, l have two on now; do YOU wear
them p
"No, sir; but"
"Well, leave me your address, and
I'll send you one some time when l make
coed catch. I've promised two to the
President and to all members of the
Cabinet, and to ITO Congressman. I'll
supply you when I'm through with them.
Some day I'm going to start in to disem-
bowel the Potomac of cells. But excuse
me now, I've got an engagement.
Then he fled through the dooe.
Attorney General Devens was getting
up law case when called. When l
spoke of fisheries to him he said:
"Spit on your bait, sonny-spit on
your bait That's the best advice can
give you. And don't talk when they
nibble."
Then the usher opened the door and
led me out
The Secretary of War was polite when
I dropped in, but he was not available
for my purpose
"Good gracious, young man, what do
you come to me for? What have l got
to do with fshesl You can't load guns
with them, can youl You can't use
mackerel to fight Indians with, can you ?
You can't garrison fort with porpoises,
can youl You can't invade Mexico
with tadpoles and soft shell crabs, can
you2 Certainly you can't. No, sir,
fishery is not in my line. Apply else
where"
In desperation went to the Commits
sioner of Agriculture. When l told
him my errand he said:
''Glad you called. l am just trying
an experiment to see il Goldfish can be
GROWN from codfiah balls / have n