The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-06-19
THE RIGHT PROTECTION.


The falling off in the salmon PACK Oh
the Lower Columbia river has become
az marked as to excite alarm, not only
among those directly engaged In mat
business, but also on the part OF others
whose prosperity in one way or another
depends upon the success and continue
t,or of that industry. One of the most
prominent packers in Astoria was hearu
to say a few days ago that 1t was not
very doubtful II his firm could get the
fab To I'll the orders already on hahd'
and he added that he believed other
connerIes in this vicinity were in the
eoue situation. If this Is 80, then 1t Is
h,eh time something was being done Tor
The protection and preservation OF TINS
most ,mnortant industry. There Is talk
II is true, that the next legislature VIII
oaont some form Of law intended for
this but 1t is plain to any one
u,ho has watched the effect of similar
laws in other states that no state regu-
,otion can accomplish the desired Cd
iect. Such laws belong to n class very
hard IN enforce, and even in states
where the varieties Of fish sought TO DC
nroteoted are game fish, peculiar to
streams within the state, and when
broad In md never leave such streams,
II has been found impracticable to en-
force these laws. 1t would be especially
difficult to enforce that kind Of law In a
state like oregon, where fishing is a
great trade, and where neither the fish
ing grounds nor the breeding places OF
the fish lie wholly within the confines
of the state. 1t may be unpopular 10
oppose such a law now, but 1t will be
found on trial that a state regulation oil
that kind will operate as a positive dis
elimination against the fishermen OF
Oregon In favor Of those of other To-
calltIes. Like the local laws regulating
the liquor traffic, the people soon come
10 regard II no crime to violate the law,
and 10 will often happen that the Off
GERS upon whom It's execution depends
have a pecunlary interests in Its non
enforcement, and owe their election to
the votes and influence Of the men
AGAINST whom 1t Is aimed. The only
feasible way to protect the salmon tish-
cries is by federal enactment. and 1t
will be simply u waste of valuable time
10 attempt any other mode of regula-
ton. The states OF Maryland and Vir-
ginIa tried for many years in vain TO
check the determination OF the shad
and herring in the Potomac river. but
when congress was appealed to and re-
sponded with the appropriate remedy
tht effect OF Ave years Intervention of
the federal authorities was to restore
these fish to almost their original
abundance. The time Is most favorable
now for action with reference to the
Columbia fisheries. The destruction Of
most OF the dams and fish wheels avoids
the ugly question OF compensation for
such improvements, and the extraordln-
arily high water has added to the flu
ture abundance Of the fish by permit
ting an unusually large number TO
reach the spawning places in the head
waters OF the river, The thing to do Is
TO call public meetings at prominent
points. and by resolution and personal
appeal urge the representatives in con-
gress OF the states OF Oregon and WASH
lngton TO have a committee of investi-
CATION appointed at the present session.
Such committee could visit this section
and complete its examination during the
coming vacation. and at the next con-
gress a law would be recommended and
passed without opposition.