The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-10-17
a RTHUR ROPES. General Editor
The Fish and Game Commission.


The Joint committee on Fish and
Game, with few friends, went to Rox-
bury Thursday afternoon, looked the
outfit over, came back in good legal
condition and it Ia said will report that
the plant must have some money
laid out on ii. Following, of course,
the committee will report that Mr.. Tit
comb will be given the appropriation
asked for.
The work of the fish commission in
the State is subject on which there is
very wide difference OF opinion. 1t
has many warm friends who believe
tina. it has already abuudantly vindi-
Gated its right to exist, and on the 9TH
er hand, it is regarded BY many as a
rather serious joke. 1t must be ad-
mitted that bad luck has pursued it
from the start. 1t has been mixed up
with transactions which have discred-
tied it and made it q byword. The
Roxbury incident of six years ago is
painful case in point, The more re-
cent BASS ale banquet" at Burling-
ton which required special Supreme
Court ruling to prevent much trouble
is another. 1t appears to have been
bora when the moon was decidedly in
the wrong phase. Very many people
look upon its work very much in the
light of child's Eastwood whistle pic
mic, and to use common expression,
they "don't take any stock in it,"
To some extent the fates have been
cruel to the commission, but in the
main the unfavorable impression of it
is unjust and unfair. In theory the
principle Of FISH and game commits
sion is eminently right and proper,
That must be admitted. 1t is only a
question Of ways and means to accom-.
plish the results which might be attain
3D. The report Of the commission just
issued shows conclusively a large
amount of good work we'll and faithful.
ly performed. Commissioner Titcomh
has put many a days hard, earnest
work into the duties of his position
which he has magniied. He has
striven industriously to make the fish
and game commission success, and to
make it deserve well of the State which
it tries to serve. The report should be
given the careful study which it merits
But that the work is not giving salts.
faction is to some extent evident. II
is jeered at and made the subject OF
stock jokes. But the Legislature.
which is the creator and may be the de.
stroyer of the system, should seriously
consider whether it is not to some ex.
tent to blame and responsible for
whatever of failure is manifest. The
Legislature is not responsible for its
escapades with grand juries and the
courts, but has the Fish and Game
Commission been properly and credita-
bly, maintained? Has the proper intel
ligence and public spirit been exercised
in dealing with il?
These are serious questions just
now. The State has considerable
money in the business which it cannot
afford to lose, but it is slowly losing it
by half hearted support and dishearten-
ing neglect. If the fish hatchery and
the fish commission is no longer
worthy of support, sfterserious thought,
then dump the whole business. Don't
send good money after bad. II, how
ever, sober consideration convinces the
Legislature that it should be continued,
put it on credltable basis. Give it
the attention and encouragement which
it needs to give it new life and reput-
able standing. II it isn't worth keep
ing well, kill it, but don't keep it half
starved, continual supplicaDt for the
bare wherewith to keep the breath of
life in it. It's treatment of itself and its
treatment by the State have been alike
discreditable. Let this condition end,
one way or the other.