Am& 21, 1881 j 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



S78 



deferred, A. committee on entertainment, consisting of 

 Messrs. G. P. Stivers, R. Opdyke and O, Ware, was ap- 

 pointed. Votes of thanks to the officers and to the Grand 

 Pacific were passed. 



The Illinois State Fish League. 



The State League is no longer a wish nor a proposition, 

 bntafaefc. It apparently rests upon a good foundation. 



Pursuant to the call earlier published in these columns 

 and further diligently circulated, the meeting of perma- 

 nent organization was beld yesterday, April 13, at Spring- 

 field, the capital of the State. The call to order was at 2 

 P. M., in the parlors of the Leland Hotel. 



The attendance was not large, but it was largely repre- 

 sentative. Many clubs sent on a single member to look 

 into the matter and report back, thus saving the expense 

 of so long a trip for many. Thus Mr. B. D. Pretty man of 

 Pekin, one of the wealthiest and best known attorneys in 

 that portion of the State, represented a club of over 200 

 members. Dr, D. H. Shields of Hannibal, Mo., was in- 

 vestigating delegate for a body of 150 members. Dr. C. 

 M. Fike of Waterloo was sent' on by three clubs, with a 

 heavy total in membership. Messrs. Davis, Orendorff 

 and Dor win of Springfield stood for 150 more. The 

 Chicago men had many behind their backs, and so had 

 Messrs. Duncan and Watlington, who came from the 

 I Hindis Valley Association of La Salle. 



There were actually present the following: Messrs. 

 Henry Davis Jr., A. Orendorff. H. F. Dor win, J. M, Hig- 

 gins and C. M. Bartlow of Springfield; Messrs. Geo. E. 

 Cole, A. H. Harryman and E, Houeh of Chicago; Dr. D. 

 H. Shields of Hannibal, Mo.; Dr. C. M. Fike of Water- 

 loo: B. S. Pretty man of Pekin: H. L. Watlington and N. 

 J. Duncan of La Salle; Jas. Daley of Mauito; Dr. S. P. 

 Bartlett, Secretary of the State Fish Commission, Quincy, 

 with Mr. Geo. Brenning, of Centralia, also of the State 

 Fish Commission. 



The organizations represented were the Fox River, 

 Kankakee River and Illinois Valley Associations, em- 

 bracing many clubs and individuals; the Springfield 

 Fishing Club 1 ; the Pekin CJub. the Sni Ecarte Club, 

 Charleston Club, Schorr Lake Fishing Club, Island Pond 

 Club, Lake Bartlett Club. The total membership of 

 these different bodies is over 1,000. The lower portion of 

 the State is flatteringly represented. 



Mr. Cole in the chair, the meeting was called to order 

 and the minutes of the preliminary meeting read, also 

 the call for the present meeting. The committee on 

 constitution and by-laws was then called upon for their 

 report. This committee consisted of Messrs. Hertz and 

 Hough, of Chicago; Waltington, of La Salle; Davis, of 

 Springfield; Kampe, of Danville: Bartlett, of Quincy; 

 Young, of Burlington, la.; Mr. Cole added ex officio. 

 Messrs. Hertz, Kamper and Young were absent. 



The constitution, as drafted, was read in full by the 

 secretary, and was then taken up clause by clause and 

 discussed spiritedly throughout. Under the preamble 

 alleging the purposes of the leaerue, Mr. Prettyman, of 

 Ptfkin, brought up the old and mistaken idea, of joining 

 the purposes of game protection with that of fish pro- 

 tection. Mr. Davis and Mr. Darwin were inclined to 

 agree. It was shown that history did not warrant this; 

 that the Illinois laws relative to fish and game were dif- 

 ferent in many ways, and the fish-laws much the better; 

 that to try to protect game also would be to speedily ex- 

 haust a fund all too scanty, and to lead to endless delay 

 and bickering. It was shown further that the Illinois 

 State Sportsmen's Association, under its president, Mr. 

 Abner Price, had lately shown a new sense of the realiza- 

 tion of its purposes, and was doing good work in game 

 protection. Fish matters and game matters did not mix 

 well. Something definite could be done in fish matters 

 with such funds as could be raised, but to take in game 

 w ould mean to accomplish nothing. Upon the vote the 

 game idea was lost without a voice to favor it. The dis- 

 cussion then went on as to other clauses, and the draft 

 was much altered. The full text of the constitution and 

 by-laws, as finally adopted, is given below, and will 

 serve as official record: 



CONSTITUTION OF THE ILLINOIS STATE FISH LEAGUE. 



PREAMBLE. 



Wlierens, The increased public interest in tlie preservation of the 

 fish supply of the State, the necessity for improved legislation there- 

 on, and the need of better enforcement of existing: laws demand 

 system and centralization in effort looking thereto: now-, thersfore, 

 it is deemed wise to organize this State League of 'the. fisti ins; clubs 

 and associations. 



CONSTITUTION. 

 Article I. 



The name of this corporation shall be the Illinois State Fish League. 

 Its purposes shall be set forth in its articles of incorporation. 

 Article 11. 



The Illinois State Fish League shall consist of the fish associations 

 and fish clubs in the State of Illinois, and individuals who may desire 

 membership in the League and who will conform to the constitution 

 and by-laws thereof. 



Article III. 



The annual sessions of the League* shall he composed of delegates 

 from the different associations and clubs holding membership therein, 

 and each association and club shall be entitled to one vote for each 

 leu members in actual gcod standing. Each delegation must bear 

 credentials from its proper president and secretary. The member- 

 ship of each club or association shall be evidenced *by the per capita 

 amount paid in by it as a bodv, according to the provisions of the 

 clause relative to dues. Furthermore, any individual holding a life 

 oraunual membership card shall be entitled to a voice and vote iu 

 the aunual meetings. 



Article IV. 



The officers of the League shall consist of president, vice-presi- 

 dent, treasurer ami secretary < each to be elected by the board of di- 

 rectors at the annual meeting of the League. They shall hold their 

 offices for the term of one year unless vacated by death, resignation, 

 or removal from the State. 



Article V. 



Sec. 1. — A. board of directors, consisting of seven members of the 

 League, shall be elected at each anuual meeting. Tney shall elect 

 the several officers from anions; their own number, except in the 

 case of the secretary, whom tbev may select at option. They shall 

 conduct the. business of the League, making a report of their doings 

 to the League at its annual sessions. Any vacancy occurring in said 

 board of directors shall be filled by the remainder of the board, and, 

 when practicable, from the association or club to which the member 

 belonged prior to said vacancy. 



Sec. 2.— The board of directors shall have full charge of the funds 

 of the League, with full power to expend the same, but they shall be 

 prohibited from incurriug any obligation for anv sum over and above 

 the amount of funds in thehands the treasurer. 



Article Vt 



The president shall preside at all meetings of the League and at 

 ill sessions of the Board of Directors, and shall appoint all standing 

 and special committees. 



The vice-president shall perform all the duties of president in the 

 absence of that officer. 



The treasurer shall be present at the annual meetings of the League, 

 shall receive all moneys paid to the League as dues and contribu- 

 tions, and payout the same upon warrant signed by the president 

 and secretary. He shall keep full and just account of all receipts 



de- 

 ntate. 



Mr. Davis spoke for his club and promised a hearty re- 

 ception next year. The convention then adjourned. 



The board of directors met directly after the close of 

 the above proceedings, Dr. Shields being called to the 

 chair. Mr. Geo. B. Cole, of Chicago, was at once elected 

 president of the State League. Comment is out of place. 

 Mr. Cole has been the leader and teacher of amateur pro- 

 tective work in Illinois. No one else could be president. 

 In hoc signo vincimm. Mr. Henry Davis, Jr., of Spring- 

 field, was elected vice-president and Mr. N. J. Duncan, 

 of La Salle, treasurer. E. Hough was chosen secretary 

 temporarily, on the understanding that when some funds 

 had been raised a good secretary was to be hired regu- 

 larly. 



Dr. Fike was instructed to district the State for a canvas 

 of the clubs. The board adjourned to meet in May. By 

 that time some funds will be on hand. Several members 

 pledged their clubs for the per capita, and some money 

 is even now in sight. 



Dr. Bartlett, the State Fish Commissioner, was elated to 

 the last degree over the outcome of the meeting. He can 

 in this foresee a practical assistance such as no Commis- 

 sion of this State ever had. 



Mr. Cole, himself rather conservative of belief, was 

 scarcely less pleased. "This is the best day's work ever 

 done in Illinois," said he. 



Dr. Shields, of Hannibal, Mr. Davis, of Springfield, and 

 indeed all accosted, were highly satisfied with the work 

 and the outlook. 



In the evening the visiting party were entertained at 

 the Elks' Club by Col. Reeves, the urbane private secretary 

 of Governor Fifer. On the day following Governor Fifer 

 received some of the party at the State House. 



"I hear you have been organizing a State League to 

 take care of our fish," said he. "That is a very good idea 

 indeed, and I hope it may result well, as I have no doubt 

 it will. I am very foud of fishing myself — always go 

 when I get a chance.'" 



"Where is your favorite fishing ground, Governor?" he 

 was asked. 



"Oh, I have fished pretty much all over this region, 

 and over the Northwest, especially Minnesota and Wis- 

 consin. I have caught many a bass in Minnetonka, and 

 many a trout in Wisconsin. I have had some very fine 

 trout fishing east of Marquette, on the south shore of 

 Lake Superior, and also near Elk Rapids. I like trout 

 fishing, If I were not so busy, I would go shooting and 

 fishing a great deal more than I do." 



Let us hope that Governor Fifer and all his loyal sub- 

 jects will reach a day when they will not have to lea^e 

 their own State for sport, at our native fishes at least. 

 Illinois was once as good as any. It can be ho again. 



E. Hough. 



POTOMAC BASS. 



VI7 ASHINGTON, D. C, April 13— The first black bass 

 V V caught in the Potomac this spring, as far as I am 

 aware, were taken by Messrs. Demonet and Hunter at the 

 Great Falls to-day. These gentlemen succeeded in taking 

 two only; the water was in fair condition, but the tem- 

 perature of both air and water was too low for hook and 

 line fishing. Just as soon as the water clears again and 

 the weather grows warmer there will be a large turn out 

 of anglers. The river is full of white perch and a large 

 number of rock fish have been netted. 



On March 22 I saw in the market a small-mouthed 

 black bass that had been netted in the Potomac some- 

 where below Washington. It weighed lflbs., and was of 

 a most singular color, a sort of dirty light-brown. Quite 

 a large number of black bass are taken each year in this 

 river between Washington and a point forty miles down. 

 There is no question in my mind that the large-mouthed 

 bass would thrive in this stretch of water, as the condi- 

 tions would seem more suitable for it than the small- 

 mouth, and I would advocate the stocking of it with a 

 liberal supply of that fish. The river here is alive with 

 minnows of various kinds, both toothed (Gyprinodontidce) 

 and toothless {Cyprinidce, including the carp, Potomac 

 smelt and spawn-eater; the former family the pike min- 

 now, killifishes, etc.), so it is not probable that the bass 

 would destroy the young shad and other valuable food 

 fishes. 



Thi3 morning (April 5) there hangs at one of the stalls 

 in Center Market a channel bass very curiously marked, 

 there being on the right side of the body twenty black 

 spots; first one, then nineteen as close as they could well 

 be placed, making a horizontal line Sin. long. This line 

 of 3pots commences under the dorsal fin and runs to 

 within 2in. of the tail fin ; its position is about lin. below 

 the back, with which it runs parallel. On the opposite 

 side are sixteen spots, similarly arranged, and four spots 

 on the tail fin, instead of two as on the right side. The 

 bass weighs about 81bs. Box. 



tion of any member of the League; and he shall make a full report of 

 his doings at the anuual session of the League. He shall give bonds 

 in such sum as the board may direct. 



The secretary shall be present at each session of the Board of Di- 

 rectors and annual sessions of the League. He shall keep in a book 

 a concise record of the proceedings of each meeting and perform 

 such other duties as the board may direct. 



Article VII.— Committees. 



There shall be annually appointed by the president the following 

 standing committees: Legislation and fish protection. 



It shall be the duty of the legislative committee, in connection with 

 the hoard of directors, to suggest amendments of the fish laws, and 

 to bring the same before the General Assembly. 



It shall be the duty of the committee on fish protection to see that 

 all i-eported violations of the law are prosecuted; that all illegal 

 destruction of the fish in the waters of the State be prevented, and to 

 make such recommendations to the board of directors as shall be 

 deemed necessary. 



Article VIII.— Dues. 



The dues to the League shall be paid by each club or association 

 per capita of the membership of such" club or association. The 

 amount shall be paid annually. Tne amouut shall be based upon the 

 highest number in such club or association at any time during the 

 previous year. The amount shall be paid in bulk from the treasury 

 of such club or association. The sum of twenty-five cents shall be 

 the rate per capita of each club or association, 



For any individual desiring membership the annual dues shall be 

 $2.50. In all cases the membership shall be evidenced by a certifi- 

 cate signed by the president and secretary. Life membership may 

 be taken for $20. 



Article IX, — Amendments. 

 This constitution shall only be amended upon a two-thirds vote of 

 the membership of the League, at a regular meeting thereof. 



BY-LA.WS. 

 Article 1. 



This League shall meet annually on the third Wednesday of .Janu- 

 ary, and under the order of New Business shall select the next place 

 of meeting for the next annual session. 



Article II. 



In case of death, resignation, or absence of the president, the vice- 

 president shall act as president, and in case of the absence of both, 

 the secretary shall call the meeting to order, and the board of direc 1 

 tors shall elect a president pro tempore. In the absence of the sec- 

 retary or treasurer his place shall be filled pro tempore by the pre- 

 siding officer. 



Article III. 



Should any association, club or individual, fail to pay the annual 

 clues, such failure shall work a forfeiture of membership in the 

 League; but said association, club or individual shall be reins! at. -d 

 upon the payment of amount in arrears. 



Article IV. 



It shall be the duty of each fish association, club or individual in 

 the League to render all possible information and assistance to the 

 president or secretary, to furnish sureties for bonds if so requested. 



Article V. 



The League shall, through its proper officers, render' all necessary 

 assistance to associations aud clubs in the protection offish and the 

 prosecution of off enders ; shall when possible supervise the policing 

 of the rivers, lakes and other waters where poaching is reported, and 

 shall relieve all local associations and clubs whenever possible to do 

 so. It shall be the function, purpose and duty of the League to help 

 the local organizations, to strengthen the weak ones and to aid the 

 strong ones. Tnis shall be done without interfering in any way with 

 the government or plans of the local organization, nor shall the ex- 

 istence of the League render less desirable the continuance and per- 

 fection of local effort in protective matters. 



Article VI. 



The by-laws may be amended at any time by a majority vote of the 

 Board of Directors upon motion or resolution. 



RULES OF ORDER. 



In all meetings of this League ten delegates or members shall con- 

 stitute a quorum; in all meetings of the Board of Directors four 

 members tnereof shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of 

 business. 



In the meetings of the Board of Directors, and in the annual 

 meetings of the League, business shall be taken up as follows: 1, 

 Calling meeting to order; 2. Reading minutes of last meeting; 3 Re- 

 ports of officers; 4, Reports of Standing Committees; 5, Reports of 

 Special Committees; 0, Lnfinished business; 7, New business. 



The text of the above will serve better than any ex- 

 planation. Article HI. evoked much discussion, Messrs. 

 Prettyman, Davis, Darwin, Shields, Watlington and 

 Duncan speaking thereupon. It was finally settled upon 

 as above, being thought, the best way to balance the in- 

 dividual and the delegate in the matter of representation 

 at the annual meeting. As it stands it is very just and 

 fair. 



Article VIII. , on dues, was deliberated upon at some 

 length. Dr. Shields and Dr. Bartlett favored a straight 

 fee of $50 a club. Mr. Davis and Mr. Darwin thought 

 their club would not stand fifty cents a head. Many 

 ideas came up. The clause as it stands is not hard upon 

 any club, for twenty-five cents per member is as light as 

 could be asked. At the same time the way is left clear 

 for unlimited individual contribution on a basis perfectly 

 fair. Certainly every club and association of the State 

 should join this League, and so should every individual 

 interested in angling. Then something can be done, and 

 that very quickly, toward breaking up the illegal fishing. 

 That done, the angling will be good for all anglers. 



The purposes of the League, it will be seen, do not in- 

 terfere with the local society or the local warden. The 

 League's work will be rather one of agitation, of educa- 

 tion, aud of reform and legislation. It will help in local 

 prosecution only when the local men cannot help them- 

 selves, and will aid rather than interfere. It will have 

 a regular secretary and an office. It will furnish head- 

 quarters for the protective work in the State. It will 

 offer a place where you can go and get something done. 

 It will be its business to hear and act upon complaints in 

 the simplest and most immediate way. It may be easily 

 seen what has been the need for such an organization, 

 and what will be its value to the anglers of the State. 

 Let the local societies raise their money and spend the 

 bulk of it where it was raised; but let them also give a 

 mite of it to this wider society, to be spent for the good 

 of the whole State, in the work of securing better senti- 

 ment, better laws and better execution of the laws. There 

 never has been this chance before. Protective work in 

 Illinois is stepping into a higher plane and one of more 

 accomplishment. Let the angler at least go with it. 



After the adoption of the constitution, the chair upon 

 motion appointed a committee of three, Messrs. Hough, 

 Orendorff and Bartlett, to nominate a board of directors. 

 The committee recommended Messrs. Geo. E. Cole and 

 E. Hough; Henry Davis, Jr., of Springfield; N. J. Dun- 

 can, of La Salle ; Otto Weiss, of Charleston: Dr. D. H. 

 Shields, of Hannibal, Mo. ; and Dr. C. M. Fike, of Water- 

 loo. The above were elected. Von Behr Trout in Vermont.— On April 1 a lot of 



Upon motion the chair appointed a committee of five fry of the brown trout, or Von Behr trout, a few weeks 

 to secure a charter. The chair appointed Mr. A. Oren- old were distributed from the State hatchery at Roxbury. 

 dorff, he to cheose four associates. Mr. Orendorff chose under the direction of Fish Commissioner John W. Tit- 

 Messrs. Harry Dorwin, F. K. Whittemore, Henry Davis, comb. In ponds at Pine Hill 5,000 were planted, 5,000 

 Jr. and Col, N. B. Wiggins. All the above are of Spring- were forwarded to the Chittenden Fish and Game Ciub 

 field, for a pond near Chittenden, and 5,000 went to Lake 



Upon motion the city of Springfield was selected as Paren in Bennington. 



SALE OF FISH IN CLOSE SEASON. 



PLYMOUTH, Mass., April 13.— Editor Forest and 

 Stream: I saw many black bass in the market 

 yesterday and upon inquiry found that they came from 

 Maine. I ask why are black bass allowed to be sold dur- 

 ing the close season, even if they do come from out the 

 State, and trout under the same conditions excluded ? 

 when the provisions of the laws for both fish are almost 

 identical. 



If it is true that all the trout in our streams will be ex- 

 terminated if we are allowed to sell our artificially reared 

 trout during February and March as the Massachusetts 

 Fish aud Game Association would have the people of the 

 State believe, why is it not equally true that all the black 

 biss in our public ponds will be exterminated if they are 

 allowed to be sold out of season? This subject is worthy 

 of the serious consideration of the above association, also 

 of the Massachusetts Commissioners on Inland Fisheries 

 and Game. W, L. Gilbert. 



