Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-11-03
FISH MN:ssIpNEps REponr
Messrs. ROutier and Harvey Use Some
Plain Language


The report of the State Board of Fish Com
missioners has jus. been printed at the State
Printing Office. In the opening of their re-
port, which is addressed to Governor
Waterman, and sigued by Joseph Routier
and J. Dowaey Harvey, the Commission
els say
As required by law, the State Board of Fish
commissioners herewith present their report of
the transactions and disbursements of the Com
miSsioners during the thirty eighth fiscal wear.
ending June 50, 1887, and the thirty-ninth fiscal
year, ending June 80, 1888
Governor Washin2ton Bartlett on March -
1887, appointed Joseph Routier member of the
Board to succeed Z II. Buckingham term ex.
piTed and J. Downey Harvey to succeed A. B.
quently confirmed by the Senate. Nessrs
koutier and Harvey, together with T ]. Sher-
wood, constituting the State Board of Fish Com
missloners, oTganiz ID on the twenty-f0urih day
OF March, 1887, by electing Joseph Routier Presi-
denti and i. j. sherwood Secretary and Treas
urer. The Board Immediately entered upon a
vigorous prosecution of the work of the Com.
mlsslon- The various subordinate officers
necessary 20 a discharge of the important duties
OF the commission, were appointed and The
members of the Board looked forward TO the
accomplishment of many important results 10
the fishery interests OF the State.
The work of the Comm sson was progressing
very satisfactorily, until disturbed by the at
Tempt on your part 10 reOrganlZe the Commits
SION by placing thereon pets hs of yoIr o gn
selection. This attempted removal of The mem
perS OF the Commission {Routier and Esrvevl
uiscredited the acts of the Commission. de-
stroyed public confidence in the legality of their
oiheial acts, and defeated ali efforts 10 an eff
cient discharge of their duties That the leesl
STATUS OF the Board might be determined, ]. ID
HeddI &, who had been appointed by Won tn
succeed Commissioner Routier. obtsined The
permission OF TIE Acknowledgement to bring an
action IN the name OF the people to oust Mr.
bouiier, but 3tter suffering the action to remain
IN the Courts for several N .lths he caused II II,
DC dismissed Subsequently the state Boarli of
hxamineTs, moved by the clamcr of claimants
who had furnished supp les or rendered sar,,
ices TO the state, agreed thai the question as 10
VINO were entitled TO act as tie State Board az
Fish Commissioners should be submitted To the
aitorney General, and that the opinion OF that
oiheer should be binding Upau tie BoarYi Of Fx
anlneEs until o. erruled by the Courts
ms oonrse Of the Board Of Examiners WIS
rendered neess airy by the action of Messrs.
X ddiH ; aud Orr, claiming un1er commission
issued b YOU, setting up a rival Board md Y,ra
ten ing 10 be the State BSsrd of Eish C,orni,-is-
flonefs, and assuming to discharge the duties of
such Commissioners Tn Sc gentlemen pe-a
subsequently Reinforced by ClsaTles 5osseivp ~
pointed by you to succeed Commissioner Il, :
Sherwood, resigned.
The Atts-ney-General in dee tin.a filod hi,
opinion With the State Board OF Examiners
affirming tkat the State Board of Fish 4SornmiS,
sioners Legally consisted of Joseph Reuter- !
DoWney Harvey and CnSrles Josselyn Notwith-
standing this opinion OF the AttSTney- General
and the previesss agreement between the Board
of Examiners sud the rival Boards Mr. JosSelvn
as TO whose right 10 the office no suestios ex,
isted refused, AMI still refuses to aset with the
majority of the Eoari
These actions practically destroyed. f;,ra tislc
the usefulness of 4le Board, and makes /. IN,
possible for us to 1sy before you any extended
records OF its labofg DiScouTaginS as hare been
the distinctions thrsEyn in our way we have
cndeavcred to protect end advance the i1farests
OF the Seate committee 20 our care and believe
I hist we kaye not been altogether unsucaassfui
in our Efforts.