Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-12-11

The matter of the report of J. A. Richard.
son, who had charge of the temporary hstch-
cry at Sheblsy, Nevada county, was next
considered. In connection with his report,
that of Joseph Shelley criticising the acts of
Mr.. Richardson was also spoken of.
Crittenden Thornton, attorney for Mr.
Richardson, asked the privilege Of making
statement in behalf of his client. Mr.. Rich
ardson, he said, had been laboring under the
impression that the communication of Mr..
Shelley had been considered in the light of
charges against him. l. had been ascer-
tanned, however, that this was mistake.
There being no charges against him, he hav-
ing ceased to be an employee some weeks
prior to the date of the Shelley communica-
ton, he thought the records should show a
dismissal Of the matter. If the failure of the
Shelley hatchery was owing to natural causes,
then Mr.. Richardson should be allowed to
explain to the Board the causes that led to
the results complained of. If no charges are
to be made, and the Shelley letter is not to
be considered in the light of charges, then he
would ask that the same be go recorded in the
minutes Of the Board.
Mr. Redding said the minutes show that
it was placed on file, and therefore it was
made q matter of record, and is properly be-
fore the Board.
Mr.. Thornton then asked that the records
state that Shebleys charges had nothing to do
with the removal of Mr.. Richardson. Either
this should be done or else it should be con-
sidered in the sense of charges, claiming that
Mr.. Richardson had a reputation to MAIN
tain. They should investigate or not inves-
tigate. The matter should be disposed of
finally.
Mr. Dibble said that the Shelley hatchery
in Nevada county had been placed in his
hands and was under his entire control. He
employed Mr.. Richardson to go there and
erect a temporary hatchery mainly for hatch.
ing trout and making disposition of the same.
He had no charges to make against Mr..
Richardson.
Mr. Thornton remarked that if Mr. Dibble
had no chrges to make none could be n ade.
Mr.. Dibble claimed that the management
Of the hatchery was an entire success.
Mr.. Buckingham said Mr.. Richardson
came to him asking for employment, and he
told him there was nothing at present, but
when help was needed his application would
be considered. At that time the communics-
ton of Shelley had not been received He
was satisfied that the hatchery had been a sue
cess.
Mr.. Dibble moved to indefinitely postpone
the further consideration of the matter.
Mr.. Redding moved to amend by dismiss
ing it. Carried.
Mr.. Dibble said the Shelley hatchery could
not be considered in any other light than that
Of a success. He said he would state in that
connection that 60, 900 trout had been Matched
out and distributed from the Shelley hatch
cry ;siuce May 231, which was double the
amount distributed by the old Commission in
three years from all the hatcheries in the
State.
Mr. Redding claimed that the old Commits
sion had done good work, and stated that
fbo,r 80 cbou hot
buted 479, 900 fish, exclusive of salmon, of
various varieties, imported and domestic.
They introduced carp, white fish, ETC.. and in
three years deposited over l. 800, 900 of vari-
GUS varieties Of food fish. He thought this
Board should endeavor to do as much, if not
more. With the exception of distributing o
few thousand at the Almshouse and Presidio,
all these fish were placed in public waters
The white fish are obtained from the United
States Fish Commission. Shsd are brought
here as fry, all the expenses being paid by
the United States authorities. After they
arrive in California, the further expense is
paid by the State The old Commission i'm
ported 300 bass from New jersey at an ex-
pense of 81, 900.
Mr. Dibble said the hatchery at Shebley
produced twice as much fish az all the others
together, and the 60, 900 trout Matched there
is twice as much as that produced any year
for the past three years.
Mr.. Redding-Is 10000 twice the amount
of any year for the last three years?
Mr.. Dibble-Yes, sir. The average amount
each year is only %, 300. In 1880. GO, 500
were delivered before May Ash : in 1881, 80.
600 before April Sth :; in 1882, none. The
Shelley hatchery was not erected until the
23d of May, yet in that brief time it pro-
duces 63, 500 trout.
Mr.. Redding read from the last printed re.
port to show that large quantities of other
valuable fish were Matched and distributed by
the former Commission.
Mr.. Dibble said there was no demand for
either white or catfish. White fish are not
much sought after for food sc, 900 of that
species had been deposited in the mountain
lakes and Truckee river. They are seldom
caught.
Mr., Richardson, upon beirg asked in re-
gard to the white fish, said be thought those
last spoken of by Judge Dibble were Matched
too early in the season, and were placed in
water too cold.
A letter was read from Charles w Smiley,
of the United States Reports and Records
Department at Washington, asking for in
formation regarding the amount Of salmon
canned by the different canning establish
ments on this coast, for publication in the
bulletin of the United States Fish Commls-
sioners,
G. B. Williams, Of the United States
Hatchery at Baird, Shasta county, commuui-
Gated to the Board that Livingstons Stone
had completed his contract for furnishlngsbe-
tween 600 900 and zoo, 900 salmon eggs for the
streams of the State, and that the eggs bad
been Matched out and the young tsh placed
in the waters of the McCloud river.
COMMISSIONERS RECORDS.
Mr.. Dibble said that he had stated at one
time that no papers had been turned over to
him by his predecessors. Since then that
statement had been published. de said,
holding up few small envelopes, " l hold IN
my hand al the papers l ever received from
the old Commission"
MIR. Rsdding said his father, who kept the
accounts and records Of the Commission, kept
diary, journal and ledger. Many OF the
transactions of the Commission are kept in
books in which are matters relative to his
estate. They show every item in his hand
writing, from transactions from one cent to
those OF thousands of dollars. Those books
sre at No. 800 Montgomery street, and they
are open at any time to the inspection OF the
present Board. He also had some books This
private property which he would file with
the President OF the Commission for the use
of the members Of the Board
Mr.. Dibble said be did not wish to be I'M
derstOod as casting any reflections on the &C.
tions of his predecessors. He had stated at
previous meeting that none of the minutes
Of the former Commission were in the posses
sion of TIE present Board. Mr.. Throckmor-
ton had been asked for them, and he had said
to Mr.. Dibble and MIR. Buckingham that
there was no minutes, we kept none, held no
regular meetings. but transacted the business
Of the Commission on street corners or whef-
ever we CHANGED to meet"
Mr.. Reddiug asked for information. VIVA.
were the duties of the Commission What
was their authority, and for what purpose
were they appointed. They had no bylaws
nor rules governing their action, 1t looked