The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-01-04
raE SACRED CoDrIsH.
WuI Not Adorn the New Massach ssesss
state House.
Springfield Republlcan.

Springfield Republican
The painful news comes by way Of
the Boston Transcript that the goldfish
which for % gssany years has hung from
the base OF the state house dome. di-
reetly over tire rear part of the house
OF Representatives will not form one of
the features of the new meeting place
Of the popular branch of the state gov
ernsnsnx- The state house commission
ers have reached shis decision after
mature consideration This ensDieui,
famed In song and story, VIII remain
In its present position until the old
chamber 10 converted to a new use.
What its ultimate fate will be is I'M
known, although ii is probable that
eventually find its way into some his
toricaI Museum. The attention OF every
visitor to the hall has been attracted
To this figure, which Is suspended con-
spicuousiy from the ceiling, high UP in
the archei niche in the southern wall,
facing the speakers chair. The qGes-
ton mas been asked thousands of
tinaeS. What Is it's origin and signifi-
cance?' and nobody has been able 10
answer. accurately al least, for many
ycarg- The late Mr. Kuhn, who was
snessenger TO the general court in the
old state house and the new for about
half a century. probably could have
told the story. but few today know.
except in a vague way, the meaning
which the symbol conveys.
In 1866 Charles w. Palfrey. editor of
the Salem Register. and a member of
the house for several years. undertook
I'm evat hos nil ka he
learned about the placing OF the figure
In the chamber. After extensive re-
search, he found much concerning the
fish. which, luckily. had been pre-
served. 1t was by Mr., Palfrey's eff
forts that the actual facts were got
from the great and general court, and
while many links are missing, the chain
is nearly complete. On Wednesday.
March II, 1854, John Rowe, member
from Boston, moved permission to
hang the fish in the house as memo
rial to the importance of the cod fish
cry 10 the welfare OF the state The
motion prevailed. and shortly after the
emblem was placed in position, and
there il has remained undisturbed
through all the vicissitudeS of the
years which have intervened. Once it
was repainted. but 1t has never been
taken down from the iron rod by
which Ii Is held in position. Mr. Rowe,
who presented the figure to the COM
moawealth. was a weii-krow citizen
of Boston and a conspicuous patriot.
being associated with Samuel Adams,
James Otis. John Hancock and other
leaders OF the period. lie was inter
ested In commerce and was an extern
sive property owner along the water
front. Rowe's wharf and contiguous
territory being among his possessions.
He died February II. 1TS7.
In olden times the Goldfish. gildesi, was
an adornnent in many a seacoast nome
In Massachusetts. Benjamin Pickman,
an hcnored resident OF Salem. so one
giided Goldfish suspended from the CELL
ing OF the hallway OF his home in Sa-
lem, and this was but one case in
many. Mr.. Pickering in 1749 advanced
to the province of Massachusetts, money
with which TO fit out the expedition.
against Lcuisburg. and received from
the province n large silver loving cup.
bearing on one side the province coat
of-arns and on the ether the fansily
hcgaldlr device OF the Pickmaas. In
cliental to this rTlost afftiquarians state
that Salem was the particular city
ilorored by the selection of the Goldfish.
and not Gloucester. as might be In
ferred in these times; for at the period
mentioned Gloucester was scarcely
more than a mere settlement.