McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1885-05-07
OUR EXPOSITION LETTER.

Among the United States exhibits,
that Of the Fish Commission is of in
terest to the whole people. If, as some
times claimed, fish is brain food, there
can hardly be too much of it, and it
ought to be distributed among politi-
clans, statesmen and newspaper cor
respondents The exhibit here rep
resents the entire process of fish cul-
ture, from the taking away of eggs
all the way up to the full grown fish.
A large model includes the effigy of
an operator opening large salmon,
when millions of eggs are disclosed,
and the curious thing about it is, that
the process does not injure the mother
fish, which is often replaced in the
water alive, and eggs taken from her
the next year. The eggs, as here ex-
hibited, are placed in various jars,
being removed from one to the other
as they increase in size, or are ship
ped to order.
There are also various models of
inclined Fish Ways designed to as
cist fish in swimming over the falls
of streams, one representing that in
use at the Great Falls of the Potomac,
which are 70 feet high, and over
which, by means of inclined "Ways,"
causing the water to flow backwards,
the fish swim with perfect ease. A
singular fact in the life of Califor-
MIA trout is, that it is sent into the
world provided with rations for six
weeks, which are carried in haver-
sack affixed to it's stomach, and which
serves to sustain its life until it is
able to work for its own sustenance.
If any of your readers wish to estab-
lish fish pond and want a supply of
carp, they can address Mr.. I. +. Ellis,
U. S. Fish Commissioner, Exposition
Postoffice, New Orleans, when their
requests will be promptly attended to.
Ours is a fraternal government, and
will not permit any of her children to
needlessly suffer for fsh-any "carp-
ing" criticisms to the contrary.
So much for fish, and word about
"fowl" may not be out of place. In
various Legislative bodies next winter,
propositions will be made for appro-
priations to foot a great many bills
incurred by various commissioners"
in charge of state exhibits. While
doubtless most of these bills will be
found correct and fair, it has, in more
than one instance, been openly charg-
ed that some have been lavishly and
contracted. 1t has been
charged that "deputies' have been
and are attached to some commissions,
at 50 per day, whose sole duty con-
sisted in spending few minutes each
morning in busting the exhibits, a
work that any boy could have done
as we'll for few cents, as some are
so engaged. And it is notorious
fact that often, when some of these
"deputies or superintendent" have
been really wanted, they were off on
pleasure trips, Or hidden away in some
secure nook, engaged in "sparking,"
or in sucking iced brandies through
While it is to be hoped that
these criticisms cannot be applied to
many commissioners, it is certainly
true that some so-called assistants, or
acting commissioners when they even
had duties to perform, have neglect
ed them, being absent from their
posts when wanted, and of no earthly
use, except to draw fat salaries. 1t
might be we'll for some legislatures,
before paying bills, to do as the gov
eminent is doing before paying out
its late appropriation to the Exposi
ton, require an itemized statement of
account,or appoint investigating com
etc. Honestly conducted
commissions could not object, and Or
deputies who have idled the
winter away here at 50 per day, might
look elsewhere for pay for uselessness,
or no services at all.
But criticism of this sort is not 50
pleasant as to indulge in just praise,
and l leave it for more agreeable sub
jects. While "loafng around the
throne" the other day and passing
through the model educational sys-
tenn of Iowa, l found an exhibit there
which, in complication, variety and
and beauty and finish,
rivals the five thousand dollar dress
ing case from Mexico. 1t is a piece,
Or work, of penmanship, which has
never been equaled among its class.
In size, it is 5x4 feet, and consists of |
l dozen varieties of lettering, with
winged figures of Mercury, Corinth-
an columns, vinewreathed border,
shading as exquisitely fine as gossa-
ner, the whole so perfect and pictur
,sque as to be frequently mistaken
or a fine steel engraving. The artist