St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1893-11-23
FISH AND GAME.
[continucd from 4th Pagr.]

OF fish taken, their value ana enhance
ment in value by manufacture or trans
portation. 1t studies the methods and
appliances of the fisheries, with a view to
suggest improvements or alterations, il
too destructive.
Last but nol least comes tie largest
branch, that OF fish culture, the actual
manufacture OF fishes on natural
lines, and to supply a natural want.
This division has now some twenty odd
stations in working order, and will soon
add several more, one Of the most inter
esting coming to your own state.
The fishes which are propagated on the
most extensive scale are shad, salmon,
white fish and cod but the several species
of trout do not fall much behind them in
their totals. Most activity has natur-
ally been directed to regions where sew
eral states have common interests, and
where the operations of any one state
would not be apt to fall to its own
credit. This is especially so of the three
species have named.
For work at sea the commission
is provided with two steamers and
an excellent fishing smack, built on
new lines and of great depth, which
are being largely initiated by the build
ers Of modern fishing vessels.
The object OF fish commission is the
preservation or bettermeut of the fish
cries, and as we have seen by the confer
ence of this afternoon two measures are
required to attain such an object, fish
culture and legislation. The former is
directly accomplished by the U. S. com
mission, but not the latter, as state
rights interfere, and justly so, in the
making Of such laws
The u. S. commission, has, therefore,
never applied to congress Tor the max
ing of fishery laws, and has nothing to
do with the carrying out of regulations,
as is the case in Canada.
1t is my opinion, however, that fish
culture should not stand alone in the
matter of keeping our waters from de-
pletion. Many persons entirely depre-
cate the making OF any laws. They
want fish culture carried on upon large
scale, and the loss from fishing made up
by planting. Such a course is unnatural,
aud no waters should be stocked unless
they are suitably protected
The farmer is one of the most extensive
operators in artificial propagation. His
fowls, his herds and his crops owe their
prosperous condition primarily to his
intelligent direction. So lar it is propa-
cation, but what would be the outcome
Of his labors should any stranger be al
lowed to reap what he has sown? He is
protected i'll his possessions by the best
of laws, and knows that he has sure re-
dress should his property be disturbed.
If laws are necessary in respect to
private ownership, how much more es-
sential are they to protect the public
waters where less regard is had for the
object they contain, the public property?
Propagation may be carried on readily
and successfully, but to what end if their
future growth and safety cannot be as
sured
1t is, therefore, incumbent upon the
states to make the best laws possible, and
to look to their enforcement. But who
are the ones to attend to these matters
Two or three commissioners to each Of
about thirty states, their names filling
not more than one printed octave page.
Compare the aggregate of these names
with all the streams and lakes, with all
the sea coast line, and with all the fisher
men, both professional and otherwise,
which are scattered over this country,
and you gain some idea of the immensely
of their task The IT, S. commissioner
can give his moral support, and can
furnish aid in the nature of investigation
but that is all.
Now is it not the duty of every man
who is lover of the tnny tribe, or who
seeks to increase the prosperity of his
state, to render help in this mat.
ter ? can expect but one answer from
the guests assembled here tonight 1t is
to the fish and game association that the
state commissioners must look for their
main support, and any increase in their
numbers or in their membership must
make the way easier to accomplish good
results Now men are busy things and
lew can give much time to such objects.
But, remember, there are two directions
IN which you can assist. 1t is not alone
to push the enactment of legislation; you
must act as teachers of the publ c. You
must educate the masses, beginning with
the younger men if need be. In this way
public sentiment can be changed, and
what is difficult today works its own
salvation in the morrow. History
teaches that on every page.
Your mission is an important one, and
worthy OF every effort, The U. S. COM
mission does not stand for Capitalization
in fishery matters. The government is
willing to expend certain sum each
year, which finds its outlet through this
bureau. 1t is the supreme desire of our
commissioners to work in harmony with
all the state commissioners, and the lat
ter are carrying out the better sentiments
OF their communities, as exemplifed in
the fish and game associations. All are
working in common cause, which we
think essential for the public good.
In closing, let me say that have taken
great interest in your proceedings of
today, and that my visit has given me
great pleasure. 1t is the first time that
have been upon the soil of Vermont, but
hope it shall not be the last one.
COMMISSIONER TITcoMB's REMARKS.
w. Titcomb. state fish and game
commissioner and secretary OF the
League, responded Tor the com
mission, He began with d few lelici-
tous remarks, stating, among other
things, that he had just moved from
The youngest city in the state to one
OF her suburbs-that is, it would be
cna oG ,ha e,,b,,.lo &c .l.-. iI 49,