The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-01-25
SUNSET cox ON FISH.
One OF the Marvels of the Time-Tf

Puritan Platform.
From the Speech of Mr.. S. S. Cox, OF New York,
on the Bill TO Establish the Office OF Com
missioner OF Fish and Fisheries, and pay him
Salary OF $1,000.
This business of propagating our food
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
Columbia Ri yer to st, Johns, 100, 600, 900
young fab or spawn for the propagation
of this food.
The report of Professor Goode House
Miscellaneous Document No. 3O) to the
present Congress shows the cost during the
last fiscal year of the production, transpor.
tation and distribution of these 100, 0O0, 900
from their sixteen Matching and rearing
stations. The propagation expenses were
$780, 600; the cost of fish ponds and distri-
button was $45 600, and the same sum for
vessels engaged in the service. There are
existing other appliances for the founding
of this extensive and humane object, which
/ will not now dwell upon.
The time has almost come, prophesied
by Professor Huxley, when an acre of water
will almost produce as much food for the
support of human life as an acre of land.
The science of fish propagation is one of
the marvels of our time. 1t is one of the
miracles of physical culture. We have
understood, appreciated and encouraged
by law this wonderful manipulation of
food fishes.
If am permitted to refer modestly to
my travels, will say that when l was
COZ sting around Norway a SCIENTIST in
formed me-pointing out over the Arctic
ocean. which we were inspecting-that
there had been the year before shoal of
Goldfish near the Lofoden Islands mile in
- Il N oan r.ln
cod; and that these Goldfish had fed on
400, COO 600 herring. There is no limit to
the wonderful infinitude of these finny
creatures of the deep.
Prof. Baird saw with generous vision
this result OF natural law. Although l be-
lieve the invention or discovery of this re-
markable fecundity and mode of propaga-
ton in fish was made at an earlier date
| than 1871, still he utilized it. To be last
in this connection, 1 may remark that
| before Prof. Baird undertook this service
| DR.. Garlick, an Ohio man, discovered the
! process. His is not happy name, but bis
| discovery was felicity itself TO millions.
| is il not curious fact that Ohio always
seems to be little ahead of other States
| in certain affairs-political or otherwise =?
| Laughter. Excuse my seeming forward
ness in speaking Of Chic products, for l
was born there myself. Laughter.
was en- interest in this country so cared for
by the Government as this of fish, Our
fist efforts, at least in New England. be.
gan with fish. When our eHcestors-I re-
| fer TO New Eogland, where was educated
when our ancestors went TO King James
| for charter 10 go across the seas aud colo
Dize Massachusetts, the King asked the
Puritsns:
What is your object? What do you in
tend?n
Their answer was: 80 worship God
and catch fish ~ Laughter
Then the King rejoined: I give You
the charter, Fore Cad! 1t is the APOSTLES
own calllngm Renewed laughter
Why, sir, even in the early churches OF
New England the early and pious Qritans
used to sing:
YemOnsters of the bubbling deep.
Your Makers name upraise;
Up from the sands ye oOddltngs peep
And Wag your tails always.
Laughter snd applause.
So that early in New England the cure
and care of fish was concomitant with COM
merce, liberty and slnctity. In later times
New England has obtained congressional
enactments giving tree salt for Der fish,
while the miserable man in Chicago
can not get free salt for his
pork. Laughter Congress has always
had kindly word for the fishermen. For
many decades it gave bOuntles at so much
per cod These fishermen have not become
less tenacious of their rights since the
bounty ceased. They are power in num-
bers and influence. They number a mil
lion or more Of men constantly engaged in
their hardy and hazardous occupation.
Their calling is associated at the present
time with some curious wriggling in d.
plomacy. Laughter. But wherever they
are, and wherever they adventure, they
should be cared for by the fostering arm
of the Government,
The main object of this bill, sir, is not
to assist the fishermen so much as the con-
sumers of fish. 1t would send out the seed
broadcast that food hRrvests may grow in
all the waters of this land. 1 trust there
will be nothing done here to impair the
usefulness of this bureau. / trust. as this
bill takes no money out of the Treasury,
that DO further objection will be made to
its passage; that the President may be
able to select a good practical man of
science and energy, whether he be Demo
crat or not, to occupy and honor the posi-
ton. am not sure but that there may be
found some good scientific Democrat in this
country to administer this Office. Laugh
ter. all the sciences can not be monopo-
lized by the Republican party. There may
be Democrat discovered with the quail
ties Of a good scientific fisherman. The
President will find him. The President
himself is somewhat of an expert in that
line. Laughter. at all events, let Us by
this enactment enable him to select the
right man for the position. So far as l am
individually concerned l am not over eager
whether he selects Democrat or Repub-
lican to carry out the humane and benefi-
| cent provisions proposed by this bill re-
ported by my honored friend from Arkan-
sas Mr.. Dunn, to whom l terder my
thanks for the privilege Of these desultory
remarks. [Applause.l