34 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



meauor sucli as we are considering? It is to this shirking of duty, this evasion of 

 sworn responsibility, that most of the violations of the fish-protective laws are due. 

 Wherever the authorities have faithfully performed their duties the wrongs have 

 ceased. 



Take as an illustration the result of determined official' action by the State Fish- 

 ery Commission of Pennsylvania in regard to fish baskets in the upper waters of the 

 Delaware. When official notice was given that all fish baskets in that river must be 

 removed, there was a general expression of indignation, and the declared determina- 

 tion that any and all attempts to remove or destroy them would be resisted with all 

 the. means at command. The lives of wardens who performed their duties were imper- 

 iled, the legislature and the courts were appealed to, but the commissioners, backed 

 by law and confident that they were simply fulfilling its behests, continued the cru- 

 sade until eventually they scored a decided victory. Not a fish basket is to be found 

 in that river to-day. Its productiveness has been restored, as already shown, to the 

 extent of making it the finest shad river on the continent. This gratifying result was 

 accomplished by the simple process of a rigid enforcement of law by the State author- 

 ities. The benefits to the inhabitants on both sides of the river are so marked that 

 not only has opposition ceased, but many of those who at first were in open antagonism 

 are to-day the warmest advocates of the healthful reform. 



This case is referred to for the purpose of showing what can be accomplished by 

 determined official action, and also to. emphasize the opinion already expressed that 

 it only requires a practical illustration of the money value of the fishery interests of 

 the country to secure almost universal and cordial cooperation in behalf of fish- 

 protective reform. 



Among other efficient agencies that should and can be enlisted in this campaign 

 of education are fish-protective associations. Already a number have been formed 

 and are in active operation. Some of them have been doing notably good work in 

 behalf of fish -protection, having greatly aided the authorities in the creation of a 

 sound, healthy public sentiment. Most of them have largely assisted in the judicious 

 distribution of young fish in waters in their vicinity, and thereafter in protecting 

 them. There can not be too many such associations. There is room for thousands 

 more, and thousands more Mould doubtless be organized if the young men were fully 

 informed as to their specific object and the great amount of good that would cer- 

 tainly follow energetic action. The effect upon popular sentiment could hardly be 

 overestimated; therefore, all possible encouragement should be given to efforts in 

 behalf of the formation of such associations. 



Another powerful auxiliary is the newspaper press. It is not risking much to 

 assert that there is not a newspaper of any repute in the country that will not will- 

 ingly give the full weight of its influence in behalf of this great work. Such powerful 

 support will not be grudgingly given, nor in stinted quantities. Editors will need no 

 urging. All that will be necessary will be the furnishing of the facts desired to be 

 placed before the people in order to insure their publication, with comments that will 

 add immensely to their cogency. It would be a libel upon the newspaper fraternity 

 of the country to intimate, even, any other course on their part. There is nothing 

 partisan in this proposed campaign. Democrat and Republican, Populist and Prohi- 

 bitionist, are alike interested in it, and when convinced of its immense importance to 

 the country there will be a joining of hands and concert of action that will be the 

 sure harbingers of success. 



