The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-10-26

Martinez 10 Montezuma Slough, and there
found large net in the water. Took it up and
started for Collinsville. Went about a mile
further and found another; took it up also
and turned them over to the Justice of the
Peace at Collinsville and went to Antioch. On
the 18th we were joined by Chief Deputy Bah
cock, and went to Bouldin Island and returned
to Antioch. On the Goth, from Antioch to
Bouldin Island and back to Antioch by the
way of Collinsyille and Black Diamond. On
the 21st, from Antioch to Vallejo to at
tend trial of The People VS.. A. Paunia.
On the 22d Sunday to Benicia and Martinez.
On the 23d from Martinez TO Antioch and
Bouldin Island. On the Gath from Bouldln
Island through GeoIginia Slough to Ilston;;
Antioch. on Goth from Antioch through
Three-mile Slough to Rio Vista and back to
Antioch. On the 9th from Rio Vista and
26th, in Suisun Bay, near the mouth of Monte.
yuma Slough, picked up O sturgeon-line. 1t
was anchored with two anchors, containing
fourteen sections with eighty hooks TO a sec
ton, or 1120 hooks in all. There was every
variety of fish on these hooks, from salmon
down. There was about $50 pounds of stur-
geon, which we turned over to the superin-
tendent of the hospital at Martinez, and de-
stroyed the rig. On the 29th, from Martinez
to Antioch. dragged the different sturgeon
grounds for lines, but did not get any. On the
Both from Antioch to ferry landing into False
River to Bouldin Island. Yours respectfully,
JOHN H DAVIS.
"Now, then" resumed Mr. Babcock,
'here is q letter from Arthur G. Fletcher,
who appears to have gotten himself into a
little trouble while acting as a deputy for
the commission. 1t is personal letter,
but you may have it as it shows Just how
the law is trampled on when the fish and
game question is involved"
Following is the breezy letter in which
Mr.. Fletcher reviews the situation in which
he has found himself:
SAN BERNARDINo. Cal, Oct. %, 1895.
Ny Dear Babcock: What ell! 1t Will be all
I,,,,
it makes US d mad just at the present time.
don't see how they can get away with US to-
morrow, but If will not surprise me if they DO.
Expect l am in for burn-up in to-morrow's
local papers.
Now then; am told by the District Attorney
and others that a warrant has been issued for
my arrest for stealing grapes, and l expect
same Will be served as | am 10 leave town. OF
course, have no friends here and don't pro-
pose to be shut up for want of bondsmen, so l
have made myself known to the Masonic fra
ternity and that matter will be all right I
guess. But for one reason / would plead guilty
and pay the fine so as to wind it up as soon as
possible, and that reason is that it may reflect
on the Fish Commission as, of course, it will
be wired to the papers. 1t, of course, may be
said that am a good sort OF fellow to repre-
sent the commission and give the enemies of
the board another rope to pull on. 1t is put
up job, pushed through by the parties l ar
rested, and is too contemplate piece of bust
ness TO have more than passing thought.
Nevertheless it must be met and settled in
some way. will force the issue tomorrow and
wire the board that am under arrest for petty
larceny and desire instructions. If they then
after reading this letter desire me to fight
the case will consult an attorney and be gov
erned by his advice. Ordinarily q Jury would
not convict, but the quail cases are well talked
over here ana generally known, and l think
jury would be only too glad to get away with
me. l have not made this an official communi-
cation TO the board because l shall make it
appear as far as possible an action brought
against me as a citizen and not an officer
although ran up against 1t when acting in an
official way. l might say that 1 can swear to
the same kind of a complaint against Starke
the Deputy City Marshal, but he is known here
and has friends and mine are few and far
between. will push the thing for all it is
worth II the board desires 1t. tours respect
fully, ARTHUR q. FLETCHER.
1.-The board having received Mr..
Fletcher's official letter wired back to fight
the case and do the best he could that the
commission would protect him as far as
possible.
1T seems as though the people will do
anything to interrupt the intention of the
law and turn the tables on the deputies.
1t will give the public pretty good idea
OF what patrolman has to contend with.
Mr.. Fletcher is one of the best men we
have and | look upon him as man trying
to do his duty as IL should be done.
1.-The statement regarding Mr.. Wilson'S
having been sent UP to Point Pedro dis
guised as duck-hunter is a mistake.
October "a. He has been cruising around
Suisun Bay since the 18th. The letter ex-
plains itself:
BLACK DIAMOND, Oct. "a, 1895.
California Fish Commission, San Francisco,
CdL-GENTLEMEN: This Is the first time / have
been on shore. We have had no wind to sail ::
have worked the tides to get around. have
taken In fifty sections of sturgeon gear. Yester-
day was hid in the tules on Broad Slough, off
Antioch, and caught man working line. No
wind; had TO pull to Black Diamond. He
wants jury trial; case set for Saturday at p NJ
Expect then VIII pull out all the lines for miles
around Will now work up the San Joaquin,
and be on hand at Black Diamond Saturday
Yours respectfully, A. W. WILSON
Perhaps Mr.. Morrison after he sees
these letters will retract his statements
that nothing is being done to protect the
fish and look further into the matter be-
fore he makes additional charges. As a
matter OF fact, Mr.. Morrison has only been
present at four meetings since he was ap-
pointed member of the commission. He
attended three in this City and one at Sac
ramento. He says he is in the minority
with the Commissioners, but he has never
yet made request or motion that was
not carried. Pardon me- though; there is
one exception. He once made a request
for black perch for an Eastern friend of
his and we were unable to supply them,
owing to the fact that none had ever been
raised on this coast.
"Mr. Morrison apparently cares nothing
about the commission and it's workings.
Shortly otter his appointment offered to
send him all of the correspondence that
came into this office SO that he could look
it over and familiarize himself with the
work of the commission, but he said that
he had sufficient correspondence of his
own to attend to and did not want it. His
predecessor. Mr.. Mcneil of Los Angeles,
always received and carefully read all cor
dependence that came to headquarters,
and the result was that he was always we'll
posted in regard to the movements of
deputies and the work they accomplished
If Mr.. Morrison does not keep informed
he cannot consider himself an authority.
On the 31st of this month it is likely that
Mr.. Morrison will have an opportunity of
going deeper into the matter, and until
then / do not see that there is anything
more to say"
The president of the comm ission, FL. F.
Emeric, has decided that the meeting to
be held October 81 shall be public one,
and invites all those who have any infor-
nation to appear before the board on that
0aV at the roonpo IF fba onyn cciop q nd