160 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
[Feb. ig, 1898. 
the hats is disturbed. There are swirls and eddies and 
rapids of hats, all of which indicate that tlie wearers are 
dodging or hurrying to escape the juggernaut of com- 
tnerce. It would seem to be a logical proposition thai 
if one watched the hats long enough they would all 
pass by, either because the hat market of the world 
would be exhausted or because all the men in the world 
Avould pass by; but one can sit in the tower and watch 
the stream of hats come and go from the moment that 
the workaday world begins till it ends. Even from the 
tower the people on the earth's surface seem so small 
as to be almost insignificant, and it would seem to be 
no great feat to throw a brick at any hat within range, 
for all hats look much alike to a man in a tower. And 
yet to all men who are on the surface all men in a tower 
look much alike, too. But there is this difference, how- 
ever — the man in the tower can see over a far greater 
field than the man on the ground, and of those things 
in it he writes for the man on the ground to consider, 
criticise, accept or reject, accordingly as he may find 
them sound or unsound, material or immaterial. 
Let «s Pause. 
Let us pause and think of the safety of the elk in this 
wintry time, the safety which comes from the tender 
watchfulness of those who love the elk and minister to 
their wants. How the poor elk must have suffered in 
ages past for want of a loving and bountiful hand to 
feed them free hay! Up in the far north, where the 
caribou range in countless herds, they survive the in- 
clemencies of the arctic winter, notwithstanding that 
they have no philanthropists to feed them hay first and 
sell them in the markets of the world afterward, and all 
in the name of humanity, but all in the fact of commerce. 
The dynamiter who saves the fish, the netter who saves 
the quail, the snarer who saves the partridges, the ranche 
which saves the elk, all commercial and alike in spirit, 
are such as should win the unceasing consideration of 
the people. 
The Right to Bear Arms. 
The Country Doctor, in his argument in favor of 
the right of the people "to have and to carry arms"— as 
he somewhat inaccurately expresses it — ^bases his argu- 
ments almost entirely on a matter of sentiment. The 
common possession and freedom^ in respect to the own- 
ership and use of firearms in this country results from 
the necessities of the first settlers in defending them- 
selves from hostile whites and Indians and savage beasts, 
in the first place, and from the traditions associated with 
the struggles of a few settlements in the beginning, up 
through the different gradations resulting in the Ameri- 
can nation of to-day. It is a kind of inherited privilege, 
but it has no legal standing. 
The Country Doctor seems to overlook the fact that, if 
the constitutional right to carry arms was vested in the 
people at large ''to allow the people at all times to be 
prepared to resist encroachments upon their liberties 
from within more than from without," the same freedom 
which gave them a means of resistance would give the 
within enemy the same free means of attack. 
That the founders of the Constitution had no thought 
of trouble so serious as to warrant a constitutional clause 
empowering every citizen to resist any law or force 
which he was pleased to interpret as an encroachment is 
amply proven by the fact that they based it all on prin- 
ciples for a republic. But whatever the form of govern- 
ment, there is always danger from foreign enemies. 
Therefore Article II. — "A well-regulated militia being 
necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the 
people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." 
This right is qualified expressly by a military necessity. 
Also, "bear arms" is a military term, differing entirely 
from the common colloquial term, "carry arms." If the 
Constitution intended that the pople should have the 
right to carry a gun and tote a pistol or a razor for 
pleasure or for hunting purposes, it undoubtedly would 
have said so; but as it is one of the first principles in 
these matters that what is not given is withheld, each 
individual is necessarily restricted in his freedom con- 
cerning the tacking on of such personal legal idiosyn- 
crasies as he might hastily or maturely consider bene- 
ficial to himself or to the Constitution. 
In fact, the personal and special interpretation of the 
Constitution as exercised by individuals and classes has 
not been without a reference to arms. The moonshiner 
points grimly to the declaration "that all men are cre- 
ated free and equal," and that he has a perfect right to 
utilize his own products as best suits his own will and 
interests. It is impossible to convince him that he is 
free and equal under restrictions which prevent him 
doing as he pleases with his own property, as did his 
forefathers who fought and bled for freedom. He fails 
to note that the real freedom is that only of the citizen, 
a member of the body politic, and not the unrestrained 
freedom of the individual. It is the national freedom 
which all can enjoy alike without harm to the others, 
the freedom which insures the greatest good to the 
greatest number. 
Some time in the near future I will touch upon the 
restrictive legislation which has already been recognized 
as a necessity in some different States concerning the 
carrying of arms, and I am quite sure that they will 
surprise even to a greater degree The Country Doctor, 
both by their scope and severity of penalty for violations. 
The Man in the Clock Tower, 
The following story is told of two Presbyterian min- 
isters, one of whom, a Lowlander, was spending his 
midsummer holidays at the manse of his brother cleric, 
in a picturesque spot in the West Highlands. Both 
were enthusiastic anglers, and on the day following the 
visitor's arrival — Sunday — the pair enjoyed a delight- 
ful afternoon stroll after service. It was a glorious sum- 
mer day; the scenery was most beautiful, the numerous 
streams lively with trout, and the woods full of song- 
sters. "Man alive!" exclaimed the visitor enthusiasti- 
cally, as he turned to his friend, "d'ye no' often feel 
tempted to tak' an' steal aff for a while's fishin' on sic 
a bonny Sunday as this?" "Na, na," was the other's 
reply, "I never feel tempted, T Just gang." — Fishing 
Gazette (England). 
District of Columbia Association. 
Washington, Feb. 10— Editor Forest and Stream: The 
Game and Fish Protective Association of the District of 
Columbia held its annual meeting at the W. L. I. Arm- 
ory, with a large attendance and the manifestation of 
much interest. Vice-President James L. Hood presided. 
Secretary-Treasurer Dr. W. P. Young presented his re- 
ports on the proceedings and administration of the 
finances for the last year. We quote as showing the 
activity of the Association: 
On Feb. 8 a committee was appointed to prepare a bill for 
presentation to the Congress tlien in session. At the meeting 
on Feb. 15 Dr. Massamore, of the Maryland Society, represented 
that the bill before the West Virginia Legislature would be killed 
unless pressed. He was induced to give personal attention to 
this matter, and on March 26 made a formal report of his work 
with the Legislature of West Virginia. Armed with letters to 
properly engrossed; passed by both Houses and signed by the 
Governor. But for his timely appearance and earnest efforts 
the matter would have gone over to the next bi-ennial session. 
The thanks of the committee were tendered the Doctor by Vice- 
President Hood in appropriate terms. 
~At the meeting March 31 Mr. Richard Sylvester was made war- 
den of the Association. 
On April 20 the secretary received from Mr. Geo. L,. Nicholson, 
General Manager of the C. & O. Canal, and a member of our ex- 
ecutive committee, a list of the names of sixty-nine of his em- 
ployees between this city and Ci:mberland whom he commended^ 
as deputy wardens. This list was sent to Dr. Massamore, at 
whose request they were commissioned. 
On May 19 Senator McMillan sent to the district commissioner 
fot copies of the bills that we wished passed. 
On Oct. 29 the committee was advised that Mr. Jos. H. Hunter 
had turned over to the treasurer the sum of $91 received from the 
Evening Star for the purpose of seining the canal. The secretary- 
treasurer was instructed to ask the Fi.sh Commissioner if it was 
his purpose to assist in seining the canal again during the en- 
' suing season. 
At the meeting Nov. 9 a letter was read from Dr. Massamore 
. in answer to an inquiry concerning outlines, the purport of 
which was that "there is no law against them, except that it is 
unlawful to catch bass, pickerel, etc., except with rod and line." 
Capt. Brice, the Fish Commissioner, replying to the inquiry as 
to seining the canal, said that he considered the work of the 
greatest importance, and that if the Association would do what 
it can he would complete the work thoroughly. 
On Jan. 11 a committee of seven — Messrs. Tohn H. Gear, R. 
J. Bright, W. G. Sterett, John P. Miller, DeWitt Arnold, Chas. 
H. Laird and Richard Sylvester, the last named as chairman — 
was appointed to secure Congressional action on pending bills. 
On Jan. 26 Mr. Rudolph Kaufmann and another member se- 
cured the unanimous and cordial approval of the district com- 
missioners for an application to Congress for $1,000, to be ex- 
pended under the direction of the Commissioners of the District 
of Columbia in the enforcement of the game and fish laws. Gov. 
G.' W. *Atkinson, of West Virginia, who was in this city a few 
wCjCks ago. expressed earnest interest in the matter of water pol- 
lution, and promised active aid in securing the legislation neces- 
sarv to effect the absolute purity that must be secured. 
The work already accomplished by this Association has aroused 
interest in the adjoining States, and awakened the zeal of sports- 
men in distant places. The annual fee is small, and as more 
work is to be done every member should feel the obligation of 
securing at least one additional mernber and of working with 
such earnestness for its success during the ensuing year that 
at its close this Association majr be without peer among the 
game and fish societies throughout'this country. 
W. P. Young, Sec'y ex-ofScio of Ex. Com. 
The warden, Mr. Richard Sylvester, read a detailed 
report on the efYective efforts made to secure new legis- 
lation and enforce the old. Henry Talbott made a re- 
port from the committee on river pollution, as follows: 
MR. TALBOTT, COMMITTEE ON RIVER POLLUTION, 
REPORTS. 
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Association: At the close 
of the last meeting a few weeks ago I was detailed as chairman 
of a committee on river pollution, with authority to fill a commit- 
tee of five. 
The appoinment was something informal, but I accepted with 
alacrity, because next to feeding our bass this subject I believe 
to be the most serious with which we have to contend. 
I did not appoint a committee because the subject was one on 
which there seemed little available information, at least 'I had little, 
and it seemed too a matter of some doubt as to what was required, 
whether a committee to besiege Congress, or the Legislatures 
of Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland, or simply a committee 
of investigation. 
There has not been a day passed since this honor was tendered 
that I have not given the subject some thought and some effort, 
and it appears to me that for the present a "smelling committee' 
can be of most service. 
The Congressional field is already occupied with a more im- 
posing demonstration than we are prepared to make. Its line of 
attack is much stronger than ours could be, based on the more 
effective arguments of sanitation and the threatened health of 
oUr Solons and the city. This of course deserves our immediate 
and hearty encouragement. If tliey succeed our work in this 
direction is done. If they fail, we can hardly hope unaided to 
accomplish much. 
Manufactures and their vested rights are so old, and fish pro- 
tection is so comparatively new, as with us, for example, that it 
will be no easy matter to secure any restrictive legislation that 
interferes with the bread and butter of the citizens of the States 
named, simply to enhance the sport of geiitlemen of leisure here; 
for that is the light in which the arguments against us will be pre- 
sented, and these citizens will decline to be "butchered to make 
a Roman holiday." . , . , , 
I do not mean to despair ot our being able to accomplish much 
good, but only that for the sake of our fish we will not at once 
be able to secure legislation with urgency clauses to. wipe out 
the piilp mills and tanneries and coal mines. 
Even the United Kingdom with her centralized system, her 
great body of hereditary sportsmen, her long eft'orts at protec- 
tion, has been unable to perform the impossible, and her angling 
literature and health reports show pollution in Elenty of her 
waters, and the same is true on the continent. 
Andrew Lang calls names and consigns to eternal perdition 
the authors of our troubles like this: 
De'il tak' the idle trading loon. 
Wad gar the water ca' his wheel. 
And sends his dyes and poisons down, 
By fair Tweed side at Ashiesteel. 
And Coleridge's familiar lines will recur to you: 
The River Rhine, as is well known. 
Doth wash your city of Cologne, 
But tell me, nymphs, what power divine 
Shall henceforth wash the River Rhine? 
A book might be easily compiled from angling and fisheries 
volumes alone, of allusions to this subject, and this brings me 
to my conception of the field of this committee. 
First. — A preparation of the history of the havoc wrought and 
fisheries destroyed here and abroad by the discharge of deleterious 
substances into the waters. , „ , ^ , ^ ■, 
Second.— A scientific research into the effects upon the food fish 
and fish food by the various refuse of mines and mills and tan- 
neries, and how far they may contaminate the waters, with espe- 
cial reference to the Potomac. , , , 
Third.— A sketch of such legislation as may have been attempted 
Or realized in the direction of restriction abroad or in the States, 
with suggestions of what in reason ' we may be justified in at- 
tempting to secure. , , . . , 
This is not so formidable an undertaking as it sounds, and 
would not prove so onerous in the as.sembling, nor so burdensome 
to you in the reporting as you may fear. I have already applied 
to every fish commission in the country for what their legislatures 
may have done in this direction, and have received kind responses 
and documents from many. There has as yet been no time to 
digest these; they are still coming, and besides I had top much 
consideration for you to impose on you a burden for which you 
have provided an executive committee. But with the information 
we can in this and other ways secure we may be armed to make 
effective warfare if it is considered possible or desirable. With- 
out it we will be firing blank cartridges or fishing without bait. 
Such a course too seemed due to the dignity of this organiza- 
tion, which I have a sincere hope to see lead the world in its 
field. Located at the National Capital, with the queen of bass 
streams at its doors, in easy touch with the world's literature, 
and its sporting fraternity, and the men as well from the whole 
country who represent its sentiment and shape its policy, we 
have advantages which no other of its kind can boast of, and it 
will be our own reproach if we ignore or neglect them. 
I am sorry if I have been tedious, but it seemed only duty to 
you as well as justice to myself that there should be an understand- 
ing as to what you desired. With your approval I will be glad to 
do what I can in the direction suggested. 
Goethe said long ago: "Give me a positive man, away with the 
man who has doubts, I have doubts enough of my own." If 
you feel that mine is too pessimistic a view or involves too much 
delay, I will be glad to help some one else carry out your wishes. 
Afl of which is respectfully submitted. 
The following officers were elected for the ensuing 
year: President, Capt. Robley D. EAJ-ans, U. S. N.; 
Vice-President, James F. Hood; Secretary-Treasurer, 
Dr. William P. Young; Warden. Richard Sylvester; 
Executive Committee, Dr. Walter S. Harban, Rudolph 
K^aufmann, George L. Nicholson, Harrison Dingman, 
Charles H. Laird, F. B. Curtis, Gabriel Edmonston, F. 
B. Maguire, James M. Green, Cluskey Cromwell, J. De 
Witt Arnold, Henry Talbott, Isaac W. Sharpe, Joseph 
H. Hunter, Jesse Middleton. 
Dr. George W. Massamore, Secretary of the Maryland 
Game and Fish Protective Association, also a member 
of this one, made an address on the work of the sister 
organization in the field and legislation. 
Dr. T. S. Palmer, Ornithologist of the Agricultural 
Department, addressed the meeting on the subject of 
protection of .game birds from an ornithologist's stand- 
point. 
Henry Talbott read a paper entitled "How the Po- 
tomac was Stocked with Bass." It will be printed in the 
next issue of Forest and Stream as a chapter in the 
very entertaining series of Potomac angling chapters Mr. 
Talbott is contributing to this journal. Columbia. 
Green Turtle on the Florida Coast, 
BY R. M. MVNROE. 
[Read before the Aniericaft Fislheties Congress at Tampa, Fla.] 
Early travelers on the tropical coasts of America made 
much mention of the abundance of turtles to be seen in 
the waters at all times, and on the beaches in the spring 
season, engaged in laying their eggs. Just how many of 
these belong to the species Chelonia virides is mere con- 
jecture, for aside from the tables of the rich and the 
cabins of the mariner, to the latter of which it often came 
as a godsend in times of hunger and scurvy, it was com- 
paratively unknown; and as other species were edible 
and somewhat similar in appearance, the old chroniclers 
put them all under the one head of turtle. As a matter 
of fact, the loggerhead (Thalassochelys caretta), common 
now on our coast, when not oversized, and properly 
dressed and cooked, is not to be despised by a man 
even not hungry, and so also is the hawkbill^ from which 
comes the tortoise shell of commerce. 
With the advent of steam vessels, penetrating as they 
do the labyrinths of the West Indian Islands and adjacent 
coasts, enabling the perishable tropical products to be 
transported in safety, the green turtle has become a more 
common food and less of a luxury in our seaboard cities: 
and as most people take kindly to it, the demand has in- 
creased with the usual result in connection with natural 
products — a growing scarcity and higher prices. 
Being, as it is, a nutritious delicacy, it is quite tiifte 
that its habits, reproduction and methods of capture 
should be looked into before its enforced classification 
with the extinct reptiles; even if this should prove to 
be an event far distant, .it might well be worth our time 
and attention to cheapen, by cultivation and protection, 
the present rather prohibitive price of a valuable food. 
As is the case with very much of marine life, the green 
turtle is but little known as to its habits. At most, we 
can principally state that its food is a marine grass grow- 
ing on the bottoms of lagoons and bays more or less 
shallow; that it mates on this coast in the luonth of 
May or thereabouts, the females with eggs, except in 
rare cases, at once disappearing from these waters and 
going no one knows where, until recently; but it is 
now reasonable to assert that their hatching grotmds 
are in the beaches of various isolated islands oflF the 
Spanish Main and on the Bahama banks. How this 
migration is accomplished across the Gulf Stream cur- 
rent for hundreds of miles is past comprehension. As 
high as four batches of eggs, containing from T30 to t8o 
each, are believed to be laid by an individual during 
the inonths of June, July and August, and not repeated 
until an interval of one or two years has elapsed. 
Incubation takes from ten to twelve weeks. After 
hatching, the young that escape the gulls and other birds 
on the beach, the fish and sharks, on entering the water 
again like their elders leave us with much thought as 
to where they pass the time Until we occasionally see 
them in what is called the chicken stage of growth, so 
called from their resemblance to the flesh of the feathered 
barnyard favorite. 
The foregoing few items are about all that is known 
as to habits, but sufficient seems to be established to 
form a reasonable hypothesis that much might be done 
toward protecting the young, and possibly caring for 
them until of marketable size. 
At present the probabilities are that but an exceedingly 
small number survive the first week of existence, as 
low, maybe, as 2 to 3 per cent. To prevent this loss 
may or may not be an extremely simple problem, de- 
pending on whether turtles will mate and deposit eggs 
in suitably inclosed feeding grounds, or if the female 
alone in a condition to lay (these average about 23 per 
cent, of the catch in May and June on one reef at pres- 
ent) will carry out her maternal functions in captivity. 
If these two points are negative, then is it feasible_ to 
import eggs from the foreign depositories, considering 
the expense and possible complications as to ownership? 
And lastly, whether our supposed food areas would 
prove sufficient and suitable. The latter point, I think, 
can be favorably answered, as our lagoons have long 
been known as feeding places for the smaller sizes of 
turtles, and it is fair to suppose that the younger ones 
could find, in the same location, a diet congenial to thern; 
therefore, if no serious obstacles were found in their 
production, the subsequent existence up to the age of 
