[155] HISTORY OF THE MACKEREL FISHERY. 245 



is no motive for the deputy to pack in any other way than the law directs, 

 for he has nothing to gain, but everything to lose, providing the fish are 

 returned to him. 



" We hope the law will remain as it is, and that the governor will be 

 pleased to reappoint for a general inspector Mr. D. L. Fernald, of Cam- 

 den, who is soon to become a resident of this city. 



" mSPECTOR." 



An editorial in the Cape Ann Advertiser of November 28, 1874, says: 



" The Boston Herald of Monday has a lengthy article on mackerel 

 packing, in which it argues that the recent depression of the mackerel 

 market is owing to the fraud practiced in selling short- weight packages 

 and the making of No. 1 mackerel out of 3's, and it is charged that large 

 spring herring have been split along the back and sold out West for 

 mackerel, giving a large profit to those engaged in the nefarious business. 



'' The appointment of an inspector-general of fish purely on political 

 grounds, without his having knowledge of the i^ractical duties of the 

 office, is denounced, as the office is one which requires the services of a 

 practical man, who should devote his whole time to the work. A well- 

 deserved comi)liment is given those engaged in the fish-packing busi- 

 ness in Massachusetts, saying that nearlj' all the old and reliable fish 

 houses are as exact and careful in putting up fish now as ever ; but the 

 principal part of the fraud in weight and quality of fish is perpetrated 

 outside of Massachusetts, and the packages marked with counterfeit 

 Massachusetts inspectors' brands. Instances of fraud are quoted, and 

 the Herald concludes by asserting that 'good inspection laws rigidly 

 enforced, and a practical inspector-general, who will attend to his duties, 

 devoting his whole time thereto, are the only means by which our mack- 

 eral trade can be sustained and extended to the gigantic i)roportions to 

 which good management and honest dealing will surely bring it in the 

 end.' 



" We venture the assertion that the dealers in mackerel who wish a 

 really good article and send orders directly to this city have but little, 

 if any, cause for complaint in the matter of fraud in packing. Gloucester 

 fish-packers, as a whole, have an enviable reputation in this particular; 

 but they cannot hinder dishonorable dealers in other cities from repack- 

 ing and selling short- weight packages or lean fisli for fat ones, short fish 

 for long, or herring for mackerel. Neither can they prohibit the counter- 

 feiting of their brands or any other trickery which unprincipled dealers 

 in States where there is no inspection law may perpetrate after receiv- 

 ing their stock from headquarters. All tliey can do is to continue pack- 

 ing and selling the best qualities of fish, and it will not belong ere the 

 entire catch of this port will find its way into the hands of those who 

 can and will appreciate fair and honest dealing. There is little fear but 

 this fraud in mackerel-packing, will soon regulate itself, and honest 

 dealers will reap the reward of well-doing." 



