CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO ENFORCING THE FISH 

 AND FISHWAY LAWS. 



LixcoLX. III., Nov. 10, 1890. 

 S. P. Bartlett, Secretary Illinois State Fish Commission: 



Dear Sir— After receiving my commission as a State Fish Warden in 

 this county, and within a weelv of qualifying, had the pleasure of convict- 

 ing five men who liad seined in Salt Creek, making hauls of fish to the 

 amount of four hundred pounds. The case was hotly contested, on both 

 sides, hut the jury brought in a verdict of guilty, assessing a fine of ten 

 dollars, which added to the costs made it twenty dollars each had to pay. 

 Not having a desire to hold the office of warden for revenue only. I re- 

 mitted to each of the men the one-half of the fine coming to me, believing 

 it to be the best for the cause to do so. 



I have had no occasion to regret my action, as I have been informed 

 that there would be no more seining in that camp. 



Some of the wealthy farmers over whose farms the creeks flow felt dis- 

 posed at first to be ugly, and protested that their private rights were in- 

 terfered with: that seining was one of the appurtenances and heredita- 

 ments appertaining and belonging to their real estate. Avoiding open 

 rupture by moral suasion, I have succeeded in allaying rebellious feelings, 

 and think that the majority will submit to the law. Those who do not 

 must, if I detect them violating it. 



In regard to the litigation against the Lincoln Water Works for erect- 

 ing a dam across Salt Creek, I would say that they have put in the pre- 

 scribed flshway. Generally there is a disposition to comply with the flsh 

 laws, and the fact that a Fish Warden has been appointed has much to 

 do with it. 



Yours respectfully, 



L. C. SCHWERDTFEGER. 



Charleston, III.. Sept. 22. 18W. 

 *S. P. Bartlett, Esq., Qnincij, III.: 



Dear Sir— We had a trial last Friday of a man wlio was with a party 

 of netters, and secured conviction. AVe have had two plead guilty, and 

 this makes the third one. Have others on the string, and think that 

 there will be no more trials, but that all will plead guilty. 



I think our plan to take them one at a time and make the balance of 

 the party witnesses and compel them to testify, a good one. and would 

 suggest that you advise other associations to practice it. 



Notwithstanding violations of the law. a good many fish are being 

 caught. Parker. Ficklin, Chilton and myself were down yesterday and 

 caugnt 58 tlsh, mostly bass, some croppie. goggle-eye, and cattish, among 



