The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-02-03
LAW FOR THE SALMON.


Provisions CT Sesbore's BILL which Has
Passed Both Hoaees-
Among the bills passed oy both houses.
with slight amendments by the House,
during the week was that Of Senator Sea-
borg, entitled IAN act TO protect salmon
and other food fishes in the state of Wash
ington. and upon all waters upon which
this state has jurisdiction and concurrent
jurisdiction" The bill, which 1t is ex-
pected viii be signed by the governor, is a
duplicate of the Law that will doubtless be
enacted in Oregon. and If 50. will thus es-
tahlish uniform and concurrent control of
the Columbia river in fish matters by the
two states. In general the provisions of
the proposed law are that il shall not be
lawful To take or fish for salmon In the
Columbia river or its tributaries between
March and April 10, and between August
10 and September 10 of each year: and
during the weekly close time. viz: bctN cen
6o'clock p. m. Saturday and O'Clock p.
nj. Sunday. 1t shall be unlawful TO catch.
kill or in any manner destroy any salmon
on or within one mile below any rack or
other obstruction erected across any stream
or river for the purpose OF obtaining fish
for propagation. The close season ON
Shoalwatsr bay and its tributary rivers
and Grsy's ha-bor and its rivers. is made
from November Is to December Is. 1t
shall not be lawful for any pound net, set
net. trap. weir. wheel or other fixed appli-
ance for taking fish to extend more than
one-third OF the way across the breadth Of
any stream, channel or slough: nor snal
1t be lawful to cast in rivers and streams
freqnented by salmon or trout, lime. gas,
coculus indicus or other substance dele
terious to fish. Provision is made against
the construction of dams withoutthe build
ing OF suitable fish ladders. 1t shall not
be lawful for the proprietor OF any saw.
mill. or any employe or other person. to
cast sawdust. planer shavings or other
lumber waste into the Columbia or any OF
its tributaries. and all other streams and
lakes where fish are wont to spawn. Any
person exploding cartridges OF giant pow
der. hercules powder. etc. for the purpose
of killing or destroying fish is guilty OF
misdemeanor. Suitable penalties are pre-
scribed for violation of the several provi-
sions OF the act Justices of the peace
have concurrent jurisdiction with the SUI
perior court for the punishment OF offend
ers 1t is noticeable that Puget sound Is
not mentioned in the act
A second proposed law on the same sub
ject Is Megler's bill for the appointment Of
fish commission. It shall consist Of one
competent person. appointed by the gov
ernor. by and with the advice and consent
Of the Senate. The com missioner may ap-
point three deputies. whom be mny remove
* pleasure. The Commissioners shall give
his entire time to the fishing industries OF
the state, and shall make an annual report
TO the governor on December /. He shall
be paid 5000 per year and actual expenses,
not exceeding $1,000. His deputies shall
receive IS for each day actually employed.
not exceeding fifty days each year. The
sum of 5000 Is appropriated for the pur-
poses of the commission. The bill has
already passed the House.
In this connection. figures Of the salmon
pack OF 1850 are interesting. The total
Columbia river pack was $50 900 cases. The
total pack for Washington was: