The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1909-08-26
A FISH LEGISLATURE.


The forthcoming report of the Fish
Commission is likely to throw lurid
darkness upon the perpetual fish
question that enhances the import
ance of and yet satisfies the grumb-
lers who work the fishes for a living
in Eastern North Carolina The re-
port ought to be ready for the Legis-
lature of 1911.
The Commission having appointed
itself on the principle that the least
one knows about the subject to be
investigated the more likely he is to
reach the merits of it; at least had
very pleasant free outing. Not one
of them hailed from a tidewater
county. Some of them perhaps
knew the difference between a small
catfish and a bull-frogs tadpole on
account of the horn attachment to
the catfish; but what does that mat
ter when they were QUILTED with
two stenographers, as we'll as learn
ed doctor, posted On the longevity of
rocks and the causes of assures and
erosions?
The Commission proper was strict
ly non-partisan. There was not even
Sampson County Republican on it.
1t was, surely, composed of ele-
CANT country gentlemen, jewellers in
small inland towns. Some of the
members had heard of such a thing
as a fish, even if they did not credit
the rumor. Some had seen nets used
for catching patridges-fyke nets.
They were ill-prepared to encoun-
ter the maze of fish nets and fish
lore. Such odd shaped names as
Fyke, Pound, Dutch, and Gill nets
was a distressful dilemma to them
To be sure, they had seen a fish COM
mittee of the Legislature unceasing-
ly squabbling, but they carefully
avoided listening to what was said
at the meetings.
1t is intimated that this Commits
sion will take another outing next
winter to see the fishermen when
they catch wild fowl in fish nets,
There were rs ducks (drowned)
shipped to the Raleigh market in one
batch last March! The Commission
has got good thing ON hand, and 1t
Is conscientious within the limit of
its knowledge.
1t is also intimated that the report
will favor the establishment of a per-
manent Fish Commission. This is a
bad break-creates more offices, and
looks like belief in Entertainments.
There should be established a BIZ
ennial conference or fish Legislature
to meet in off legislative years, the
session to hold only sixty days. This
Legislature to be composed of men
from tide-water counties only. Give
1t full scope to grieve and to ap-
pease, report to the General Assem-
bly,, which should adopt the sugges-
lions as law without argument.
mem con. This would save the State
dollars, and free the legislature
from abominable turmoil
There are as many kinds of fisher
men as there are fish. A mans next
door fish neighbor will not agree
with him as to time, size, quantity.
and method of taking fish. The
rugged, natural fisherman, who
works only for living, is less harm
full than the town outftter of boats
whose sole object is commercial:
and with whom season, size, flesh nor
feather have living chance.
Gulls, herons, swans, and other
rare and beautiful feathers tempt
him to slaughter.
The Commission will also devote
much of its report to the matter of
Pound nets. In rivers, creeks, inlets
md estuaries the use of any such
1ets ought to be absolutely prohibit
I'd. In open sounds, or other big
waters, they might be permitted. but
ne mesh should be uniform and
arge.
This would permit millions of
small fish to grow. Pound net fisher
men will objest to large meshes. ON
ne ground that sharks and other
predatory fishes will make havoc
With the nets, etc., forgetting that
hey are sharks after present profit
regard for the future. This
objection is based on the ground that
he large mesh gills the fish, and
makes it tempting and easy prey
Or the shark.
Whatever the Commission reports
VIII be unsatisfactory. The trouble
las~been living one hundred years.
nd is likely to live to one thousand
ears. 1t produces animosity, stimu-l
ates courage, provokes the acquisi-
ION OF knowledge, and is nobody
lse's business except those fisher
nen, who always go to church to-
ether after successful season.