The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-04-14
THAT KETTLE OF FISH
Stirred Up by State Fish Com
missioner Saddler
When He Attempted to Remove
Bass to Lake View.
he Explains the Law on the Subject,
and Says He was All Right.

Fish Commissioner Sadler is in the
city looking up the law on his alleged
violation of the same in his recent ex-
periments at Lake View.
Commissioner Sadler says his posi-
ton is greatly misunderstood and that
the complaints did not come from those
Interested in fish culture nor from
those who have the best interests of
the further propagation of fish at
heart. In speaking Of the matter the
commissioner said today: 'The law on
the subject is very plain and I do not
possibly see how any one can say my
actions were in violation Of the stat
utes. The law after providing for the
appointment of fish wardens in the
different counties where there are
streams. lakes. ponds, or other bodies
Of water sufficient to propagate fish Of
any kind, goes on to say: The fore
going sections shall not be construed
to prevent the fish commissioner or
warden from having in possession or
catching fish at any time from public
waters of the state, by any such means
as he may adopt for the purpose OF
propagating fish and restocking the
waters of the state.
Now it was exactly what this para
graph sets forth that I was doing. 1t
was merely a matter of experiment,
my taking the fish from public waters
and taking them to Lake View. and
was done under authority rendered me
by the Lake View association.
"The hatchery was built by the Lake
View association at its expense and
was turned over to me for my use for
an experimental purpose. This was
following out the method of the United
States in it's experiments. and if this
proves a success it viii be Of incalcul-
able benefit to the state. The associa-
ton viii probably offer a portion Of the
hatchery for the use of the state in
maintaining a permanent hatchery.
There was no violation of law, nor
was any intended. 1t was purely an
experimental matter. intended to see
what could be done toward increasing
the supply of black bass in this state.
The objection and complaint came
from parties who cared nothing for
the welfare Of the state as regards
fish, but who either imagined there
was violation of the law or else sim
ply wanted to make complaints on gen
era1 principles
II these experiments cannot DC kept
UP, or if there is to be strenuous OPP
position to every such movement, or
if the state is to depend wholly upon
the government to increase the black
bass supply in Kansas, I am afraid We
VIII never have very many fish Of that
kind in the state"
Assistant State Treasurer George M.
Seward is a member Of he Lake View
association and an enthusiastic sports
man. Mr.. Seward said of the contrO-
versy:
Il am positive there was no viola
ton Of the law in what Commissioner
Sadler did. He was merely expert
menting under the law AMI in cOnjunc-
ton with our association.
LAS far as Mr.. Sadler is concerned,
Kansas never had anywhere near so
good a commissioner as he, and if he
cannot 60 on with his experiments and
attempts to better the condition of
Kansas fish. we might as well give up
any idea of betterment."