REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [158] 



,of this assertion, I will state that I purchased 23,000 barrels of mackerel, 

 arid having shipped them, the only deduction called for was $12. I as- 

 sure you we feel relieved of this burden, and our friends in New York 

 and Philadelphia are not the least afraid to trade here now, notwith- 

 standing we have no general inspector." 



An editorial in the same paper on March 5, 1875, says : 

 " The hearing on the petition for the abolishment of the office of gen- 

 eral inspector of fish came before the senate committee on Friday last. 

 Messrs. J. O. Proctor, of this city, Charles Popes, of Salem, Franklin 

 Snow, and others, of Boston, were present, and opposed the petition, 

 arguing that without a general inspector there would not be any redress 

 for buyers of pickled fish in case of fraud. 



"Mr. George Steele, of this city, was presentto defend the petition, and 

 give any information to the committee why it should be abolished. He 

 argued that there was not the least necessity of such an office. Each 

 packer of fish should be made directly responsible for his own brand, 

 and should not be held accountable for pickled fish after they have been 

 sold and left his premises. This would afford great protection to 

 those in the packing business. As the law now operates, it holds out 

 inducements for unprincipled dealers to tamper with the brands, or 

 take out mackerel and report them short weight, more especially if 

 the price decreased after purchasing. If a packer was disposed to cheat, 

 he could not follow it up any great length of time, as no one would pur- 

 chase of him at full market rates; consequently his brand would al- 

 ways beat a discount, and no man having even the pretense of honor 

 about him, could afford to be thus classed among business men, and 

 trickery would very soon find its level. He advocated a trade-mark 

 which should protect its owner everywhere in the United States, the 

 same as patent-medicine and other trade-marks protect their owners, 

 and make it a crime for any one to counterfeit or interfere with for im- 

 proper purposes. He cited instances where such trade-marks were in 

 themselves very valuable, as the articles they covered could always be 

 relied upon. The paying out of $3,000 to a general inspector of fish, 

 who did not know enough of the business to cull a trip of mackerel, he 

 considered entirely wrong. The office was not needed. Let inspectors 

 be appointed by the selectmen of towns or mayors of cities, to be held 

 responsible to the State authorities if need be, and all fees arising 

 therefrom be paid into the treasuries,©!" said towns and cities. This 

 would be just and satisfactory. Mr. Steele met all the objections of his 

 opponents in an able manner, and another hearing was ordered for 

 Thursday next, when it is hoped that the entire number, or at least a 

 majority of those who signed the petition, will attend, and by their 

 presence and voice add testimony toward the abolishment of an office 

 which is nothing more or less than a sinecure. 



"The State of Maine has passed a law providing for the appointment 

 by the governor of inspectors of fish in those places where pickled fish 



