20 BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 
great political questions that is sweeping over New England to-day is prohibi- 
tion, and I suppose the reason it finds so much favor in New England is because 
of this, for the New Englanders are nothing if they are not historical. His- 
torically speaking, having in mind the enormous amount of rum that they 
imported from the West Indies, they can say, ‘‘O, Lord, we have had our fill.”’ 
[Laughter and applause. ] 
I need not point out to you that the quest for fish has inspired, has brought 
up, some of the most intrepid navigators, who, in search of fish, have become the 
great discoverers. It is said, with historical accuracy that I neither admit nor 
deny, that the continent was first discovered, or at least the northern portion 
of it, by the Norse fishermen. You know that the Cabots, in their discoveries, 
came back and placed great emphasis upon the fact of the Newfoundland cod. 
The cod is almost a national emblem for a part of this country, and well it may be. 
Gentlemen, I know you are scientific, and you do not want to hear from 
me on questions of history; but one of my chief objects in talking to you, who 
know so much about fish from its scientific side, is to conceal from you my igno- 
rance of the subject [laughter], and if I have succeeded in doing that I have 
largely accomplished what I came for. 
I wish, in conclusion, to say that we welcome you most heartily, especially 
you who have come to us from foreign shores. We know that you have much 
to teach us, and perhaps we may have a little something to teach you in return. 
Be that as it may, whatever we have is yours. We are united with you in this 
great and noble work, in uniting our experience, our scientific knowledge, for 
the purpose not only of conserving this very important and great item of food 
for mankind, but of increasing it, propagating it; and no more important sub- 
ject can engage the attention of scientific and practical men of all nations. 
[Applause. ] 
The CHAIRMAN. We have with us one of the Commissioners of the District 
of Columbia and city of Washington—one of our governors—and it gives me 
great pleasure to present the Hon. Henry L. West, who will extend a welcome 
to the congress on behalf of the city of Washington. 
Commissioner West. Mr. Commissioner, members of the congress, ladies, 
and gentlemen, the citizens of the District of Columbia add, through me as their 
representative, to the very warm and sincere words of welcome just eloquently 
uttered by the Secretary Commerce and Labor. 
Your meetings hitherto, I believe, have been held on shores foreign to us, 
and it is peculiarly appropriate that here in the United States you should hold 
your session in the capital of this great American Republic. We may be, as 
the Secretary has said, ignorant of the scientific terms and other technical 
knowledge regarding fish, and yet we are not unaware of the great results which 
are already a part of the enviable history of this congress nor of the high aims 
which stimulate you to still further accomplishment. And we believe and hope 
