St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-01-29
FEATHERS AND FINS.
Work Of the Game and Fish
Commission It's First
Year.
Annual Reports Made by the
President and Game
.WardenS.
Some Defects in the Law and
the Changes That Are
Needed.
The Fish Hatcheries Are Sup
plying Nearly All Lakes
in the State.

FAJ AhS NOoI1y All LdhOS
in the State.
The Minnesota Game and Fish Com
mission held its first annual meeting,
since the act of the legislature which
consolidated these two bodies, at the
otate Capitsl yesterday. The OLD fish
commission has been in existence for
eighteen years and has accomplished
considerable good work, but this has
been the first annual meeting in con-
junction with the game department.
President r. o. Sweeney, of Duluth.
and Game Warden Frank l.. Stetson, of
Minneapolis. both read reports and
were followed by the deputy game war
denS throughout the state. The super
intendent of the fish hatchery made an
interesting statement and the reading
of reports was closed with that of w.
2. AndruS, the treasurer. The ques-
ton of making an exhibit at the worlds
fair created lively discussion with the
result that the committee will probably
decide to make the display and put it in
charge of Mr.. Andrus.
The Presidents Report.
After reviewing the organization of
the commission, the election of officers
and other minor details relating to the
working of the commission, President
Sweeney says: 1.-The fish hatchery at
Willow brook was again leased, this
time for term of ten years, at $500 for
the first five and 5000 for the last five
years. About $500 was expended in
fitting up the grounds, and now the
hatchery is in good condition through
out. We find that the effect of the new
law has been largely beneficial on the
whole. There are defects in it, how
ever. Omissions and deficiencies have
developed from time to time, and on
some occasions most provoklngly.
The community generally, we are
glad to say, uphold and observe its
requirements and commend its enforce
ment. particularly in the colder and more
thiekly settled parts of the state. But
there is an element, as we reach out into
the newer counties and communities,
impatient of the least restraint upon
their wild and lawless inclinations, and
showing reckless disregard of the law
and defiant and threatening attitude
assumed its enforcement by the Wardens
or any one interfering with their indis
criminate slaughter of both fish and
game. The greater number of vlOlatorS
of the law are to be found among men
inrthe lower walks of life, who have
cheap guns and desire to make names
for themselves as marksmen.
ia They Are Not SpOrtsmen.
noteven game lovers. The arrest aud
fine of this class of citizens is doing not
a little to deter them from their lawless
work, and it is hoped in few years to
drive them out of business during the
close season. Another class of viOlatorS
is made up of the associates of real
SportSnen. They shoot out of season
and make the lame excuse that few
dozens of game here and there will
make no difference az the end of the
year. These are harder to catch than
the first class, and make stronger fights
after being caught. But the greatest
damage is done by professional hunters
and fishermen, "Who are" says the re-
port, "organiZed banditti. sent out by
the fish and game dealers, not only of
our own state, but agents for
dealers in other states. They are no
better and should have no more consld
Grafton shown to them than is shown to
other brigands. They operate in gangs.
from three upwards. have camping
tiles are and quietly settle down and
drive their nefariouS pursuits until the
game is practically exhausted or they
are driven out by the wardens. These
violators move from camp to camp. and
are protected by certain classes of low
people among whom they spend their
money, thus making
Their Capture Very Difficult.
The handling of this branch of the
business and the capture of law VIC
lators is the most difficult problem be-
fore the commission. The fact that
sheriffS, county attorneys and justices of
the peace in various parts of the state
refuse to aid the commission, and eager
ly protect the unlawful fishers and
hunters, is pointed to with regret.
President Sweeney calls particular at
tention in his report to the case of the
behavior of Justice of the Peace Won
Blascum, of Ely, who not only refused
to make the arrests and hear the COM
plants, but dismissed the cases when
they were brought before him. The
special VINO arrested the violatOrs was
reprimanded for mot being in better
business;" and another justice of the
peace. Gross, of Red Wing, who de-
clared the law unconstitutional and dis
missed the cases. Notwithstanding
these discouraging features, which are
referred to at considerable length, the
president finds cause for some optimistic
demonstrations, and refers, with evil
dent satisfaction. to the work of the past
year, when ''the first attempt to syste-
matically regulate and control the kill
ing of game" was made.
Game Warden's Report.
The game warden in his report says
he has travelled about 5000 miles and
visited nearly every county in the state
where violations of the law were re-
ported. He has carried on an extensive
correspondence with interested citizens
and the special deputies. and has posted
in conspicuous places cards containing
synopsis of the game laws. Pamphlets
explaining the law have been distriD-
aUed over the state, and the state press
has aided in getting the necessary in
formation before the people. Mr.. Stet-
son says complaints have been many,
but that in each instance an investiga-
ton has shown the complaining citizens
to be afraid to personally prosecute.
Their excuse is neighborly dislike of
Quarrel, or the fear of loss of life or
property. As consequence, all arrests
| and prosecutions for illegal fishing have
been made by the wardens, who them
selves caugnt the persons using SeIneS
or nets. This makes livery hard when
/ one has to prove that nets have been
I used.
T The law should be amended so as to
/ impose fine of S25 or more for setting
or using net in any of the lakes or
rivers of the state, and s25 whether any
fish are caught or not, and fine of 81
for every fish caught. The law should
make it nuisance to use SeineS or nets,
and make it lawful for any game war
den to destroy any seines or nets found
at any time in or upon the waters of
any lake or river in the state. This
would leave no loophole through which
these fishes could crawl. The warden
then recites the efforts he has made to
secure the punishment of the offenders
in Itasea, Wright, Meeker, Stearns,
Pope, Morris, Todd. Douglas and Otter