REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. Ill 



wise, and energetic management, both the Fish Commission and the National Museum 

 have grown to large proportions, so tLat at his death the work of the Fish Commis- 

 sion had developed from an inquiry in 1871, on an appropriation of $5,000, to the pro- 

 duction, transportation, and distribution of over 100,000,000 young fish, and the 

 administration of some sixteen hatching and rearing stations: Two in Maine, at 

 Grand Lake Stream and Bucksport ; two in Massachusetts, at Gloucester and Wood's 

 Holl; two in Michigan, at Northville aud Alpena ; one at Duluth ; one on the Co- 

 lumbia River ; two in California, on the Sacramento; one on the Susquehanna, at 

 Havre de Grace ; one at the mouth of the Potomac ; two within the city of Washing- 

 ton; one at Fort Washington, and one at Wytheville, Virginia, besides the adminis- 

 tration of scientific investigations and iish hatching done by 3 steam and 1 sailing 

 vessel, aud of 3 transporting cars specially designed to transfer fish from one end of 

 the country to the other. 



The National Museum has had a corresponding expansion, for in addition to the 

 hall of the Smithsonian which held the collections in 1871, and whose administration 

 cost $20,000, a building covering 3£ acres has been built and equipped, and it has 

 been found necessary to appropriate $168,000 for their care this year. 



* * * Although the act of 1871 may have been prudent and a wise measure at 

 tho time it was enacted, and although the work of the Fish Commission as well as 

 that of the Museum was well don6 by him, perhaps at sacrifice of some years of his 

 valuable and honored life, it is to be doubted if, at the time of his appointment as 

 Fish Commissioner, the Smithsonian, the National Museum, and tho Fish Commission 

 had been of their x>resent magnitude, Congress would have provided for their con- 

 duct being placed even on his broad shoulders, and the work of three assigned to his 

 well trained and cultivated intellect. 



The work of the Fish Commission has become so extensive, and the results so im- 

 portant to the country, that it should be made, as this bill proposes, tho sole object 

 of the Commissioner — it should occupy all his time. This bill, therefore, while giving 

 the President the greatest latitude in making his choice, takes away the limitation 

 that that choice shall be confined to those who may be otherwise employed by the 

 Government. This bill repeals the provision of the act of 1871, which requires that 

 the now important and all-engrossing duties of the Fish Commissioner shall be per- 

 formed at the expense of some other Department aud some other appropriation. 



Under the present law tho Commissioner must either hold a sinecure, receive a Gov- 

 ernment salary, which he does not earn, or he must neglect duties for which he is 

 paid iu order that he might perform others for which he is not paid ; or, perhaps, as 

 in the case of Professor Baird, devote hours which nature demands for rest aud 

 recreation to Government work without compensation. The first two alternatives 

 are neither right nor proper, and the Government is not so impecunious or needy that 

 we should ask for it or accept such gratuitous services. 



The rate of salary named in the bill is the same as has been fixed for and paid to the 

 Assistant Commissioner for years. 



With a Commissioner charged, as his sole duty, with the work of the Fish Commis- 

 sion there will be no further need for an Assistant Commissioner. The bill therefore 

 does not contemplate any additional expense. The further details of the administra- 

 tion will bo looked to when the appropriation bills are made up. 



It is best not to encumber the present bill with other matter than tho provision 

 for the head of the Commission, as it is of tbe first importance that a permanent head 

 of the Commission should be provided for at once. As soon as tho new Commissioner 

 provided for by this act shall have been appointed and installed he can be called 

 before the committees of the House, and if further legislation be needed it can be 

 predicated on his reports and after a revision of any projects for the prosecution of 

 the work which he may submit, 



