New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-03-28
SUNSET COX ON FISH.
An Acre Of Water Equal to an Acre
of Land-One OF the MarveIs of
the Tirne-The Puritan Platform.

the Tirne-Tne puritan Platform.
from the speech OF Mr. SIS. Cox, of New
York. on the bill to esta blish the Office
OF Commissioner OF Fish and Fisheries,
and pay him asalary OF So, 900.
This business OF propagating our
iood fishes is well appreciated by the
people all over our country. Since
Professor Baird began this work there
has been sent out by tank, cans, and
otherwise throughout the land. from
Texas to Maine and from the Colum-
bia River to the st. Johns, 100000
900 OF young fish or spawn for the
PRONUNCIATION OF this food.
The report OF Professor Goode
blouse Miscellaneous Document No.
39) to the present Congress shows the
cost during the last fiscal year OF the
production, transportation, and dis
tribntion of these 1OO,OOO,OOO from
their sixteen Matching and rearing
stations. The propagation expenses
were 100000; the cost OF fishponds
and distribution was $4,000, and
the same sum for vessels engaged in
the service. There are existing other
appliances for the founding OF this ex-
tensive and humane object, which [
will not now dwell upon.
The time has almost come, prophe-
sled by Professor Huxley, when an
acre of water will produce almost as
much food tor the support OF human
life aS an acre Of land
The. science of fish propagation is
one OF the marvels OF our times. 1t is
one al the miracles of physical Gull
tureE We have understood, appreciat-
ed, and encouraged by law this won
derful multiplication OF food fishes.
Ii am permitted to refer modestly
to my travels. [ will say that when [
was coasting around Norway a scien-
tist informed me-pointing out over
the Arctic ocean, which we were in
specting-that there had been the year
before a shoal OF Goldfish near the
Loffoden islands mile in superficial
extent, containing l5O,OOO,COO cod,
and that these Goldfish had fed on
42O,OOO,O00 herring. There is no limit
tothe wonderful in6nitude OF these fin
ny creatures OF the deep.
Professor Baird saw with generous
vision this result Of natural law. AL
though [ believe the invention or dis
covery OF this remarka BILE fecundity
and mode OF preparation in fish
was made at an earlier date than
1871, still he utilized it.. To be lust
in this connection, may remark that
before professor Baird undertook this
service DR.. Garlick, an Ohio man, dis
covered the process. His is not a
happy name, but his discovery was
felicity itself to millions. Is it not a
curious fact that Ohio always seems
to be little ahead OF other States in
certain affairs-political or otherwise?
| Laughter. Excuse my seeming for
Wardness in speaking of Ohio pro.
duets, for I was born there myself.
Laughter.
Nevertheless, Mr.. Speaker, there
never was all interest in this country
so cared for by the government as
this OF fish. Our first efforts. at least
in New England, began with fish.
When our ancestors-Ir refer to New
England, where [ was educated
when our ancestors went to King
James for a charter to 60 across the
seas and colonize Massachusetts, the
King asked the Puritans:-
"What is your object? What do
you intend?'
Their answer was: "To worship God
and catch fish, Laughter.
Then the King rejoined: ~ give you
the charter. Fore Cad! it is the apos-
ties own calling" Renewed laugh
ter.
Why, sir, even in the early churches
of New England the early and pious
Puritans used to sing
Ye monsters OF the bubbling deep,
4oIr Makers name upraise;
Up from the sands We codlings peep,
And wag your tails always.
Laughter and applause
So that in early New England the
cure and care OF fish was concomltant
with commerce, liberty. and sanctity
In later times New England has OBJ
tanned Congressional enactments Civ
ing free salt for her fish, while the mis-
cradle man in Chic ago can not get free
salt for his pork. Laughter. Con-
gress has always had a kindly word
for the fishermen. For many decades
it gave bounties at SO much per cod.
These fishermen nave not become
less tenacious OF their rights since the
bounty ceased. They are a power in
numbers and influence. They mum Der
a million or more Of men constantly
engaged in their hardy and hazardous
occupation. Their calling is associat-
ed at the present time with some curl
Gus wriggling in diplomacy. Laugh
ter. But wherever they are and
wherever they should adventure, they
should be cared for by tin fostering
arm of the government. The main
object OF this bill is not to assist the
fishermen SO much as the consumers
OF fish. 1t would send out the seed
broadcast, that food harvests may
grow in all the waters OF this land.
trust there will be nothing done here
to impair heusefulness ofthis bureau
| trust, as this bill takes no money out
OF the treasury, that no further
objection will be made to its
passage; that the president may
be able to select a good prac
tlcal man Of science and enerpv