48 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF 



Whereas, This Commission is required by law to make a report to the Legislature of 

 all official and financial operations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1895, and 



Whereas, To enable us to make such a report it is absolutely necessary that we have 

 access to the books of accounts and vouchers for expenditure of our predecessors of 

 the Fish Commission, and 



Whereas, Many bills for large amounts against the old Commission, dated back in 

 some cases as far as 1890, and claims for moieties of penalties and for services of 

 attorneys, some of them three or four years old, are being presented to us for pay- 

 ment, adjustment and liquidation, and 



Whereas, Although repeatedly called for through the Ex-Secretary, we have not 

 had turned over to us any such books, receipts, papers or vouchers (except a book of 

 fines and penalties, going back to October 1st, 1894, and some hatchery vouchers), 

 so that this Commission is left entirely in the dark, and with no data or records from 

 which to settle with claimants, or even to intelligently answer communications; now, 

 therefore, be it 



Resolved, That our Secretary be directed to respectfully call the attention of the 

 late Fish Commission to this matter, and request that at their early convenience they 

 will turn over to us all books, receipts, duplicate bills, vouchers and papers connected 

 with the Fish Commission and used by them or their predecessors. 



Resolved, That with said communication the Secretary furnish the members of the 

 late Commission a copy of the foregoing resolution. 



In pursuance of which resolution the following communication was mailed each 

 member of the old Commission: 



" Office Fisheries, Game and Forests Commission, ) 



"Albany, N. Y., Sept. 6th, 1895. j 



" L. D. HUNTINGTON, et al, late Fish Commissioners State of New York : 



" Gentlemen : In compliance with the directions of this Board, I have the honor 

 to request that you will kindly inform us at your early convenience whether you have 

 any knowledge as to the existence of any books of account of the receipts and expen- 

 ditures of the Fish Commission during your membership thereof. Also, as to 

 whether it was your custom to require duplicate vouchers of disbursements, and, 

 if so, where the same may be found. We have been unable to find anything of the 

 kind (except as explained by enclosed resolution), and find ourselves very much 

 embarrassed in auditing and liquidating claims presented, and totally unable to make 

 a detailed financial statement for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1895, espe- 

 cially as we find no such statement included in the report of your honorable Board for 

 1894, now in the hands of the printer. 



