The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1883-02-28
FISH Ia W.

An intelligent gentleman and one
who has given the subject of pisci-
culture more than a passing consid-
Grafton, sends us the subjoined. In
giving it publicity, we only desire to
express the hope that the present
fish law will not e repealed or so
amended in any manner as to make
it less effective to the protection of
the finny tribe than it now is. As
the law stands it simply protects the
fish against the traps, seines, nets
and other outrageous appliances in
use by the mercenary fisherman. A
large number of bills are now pend
ing before the legislature for its re-
peal. This, we repeat, should not
be done. 1t has done great good in
producing a large increase of choice
fish in every stream in the State,
even in the short time the law has
been enforced. If it is tempered
with ut all it should be so amended
as to make the infringers of its pro-
visions TO suffer severe penalties.
With proper protection our people,
and the people of every county in
tire State, can in a few years have
an abundant supply of fish food. To
our Legislators the people must look
for its protection and realization
of its inestimable benefits. There is
no class legislation about it. 1t puts
rich and poor on an equality. The
suggestion of our correspondent as
to State hatchery is very good
one. Many of the States have such
establishments, and paid commis-
sioners the better to insure the care
of the fish. But just now it is not
likely it would be considered as prac-
tica6le by our law makers. We are
content to be thankful for the law
as il now stands if it is thought best |
not to make its provisions any more
stringent for the present.
To the Editor OF the MOrrlstoWn 0azette.
Our solons at Nashville, seem to
some extent, to be agitated over the |
fish question. Some are for repeal |
ing the present unenforceable fish
law. Others are for amending it.
Let us suggest that it is not worth
while for the 132 men clothed with
a little brief authority now, to un-
dertake to enforce upon the people,
sumptuary legislation in regard to
fish or anything else.
Fishes being in the waters, men
are going to catch them and eat
hem, and their neighbors are not
going to indict them for it.
But we ought to have fish law.
One that will so stock our streams
md lakes that fish might be had
or one or two cents pound.
And this may be easily brought
o pass.
Ii is now we'll known that not
me in a hundred of the spawn of
ishes dropped naturally produces a
-ou6g fish 1t is as web known
hat % in a hundred of such spawn
nay be hatched by Embellishments
Let law be passed appropriating
8, 900 or S10,000 to establish hatch I
ng establishments in different parts I
f the State, and let the indigenous !
shes such as Drum, Buffalo, Red c
iorse, &c, be propagated at these t
Establishments, by the well known
Methods and let these be turned o
lto our streams by the ten million. a
This may be done every year by v
be expenditure of $4,000 to $4,000, v
fter the establishments are started. @
The result of such Legislation G
'ouId be felt in two or three years
Y every citizen. Fish would be-
,me a staple article of food instead il
rare luxurxa As at present. Il
This result UAn never be reached Il
i the present line. ii