NATIONAL FISHERY CONGRESS. 
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men. He was large in mental caliber and large in physical frame; large in his broad 
sympathies and in his wide scope of vision; large in his comprehensive grasp of 
great aims and large in his capacity for great undertakings; large in everything, but 
small in nothing. You at once, I know, recognize Spencer F. Baird, the first United 
States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries. 
The mere mention of his name strikes a chord of dear memories in the hearts of 
all who knew him. No man of our time has left a purer memory, a more stainless 
name, or a more animating and enduring influence over his special field of labor than 
Professor Baird. He was loved by those who knew him when he was living. He is 
revered by those who have survived him. He lived in a higher plane of thought and 
life and breathed a purer atmosphere than most men. Quiet and unassuming, with a 
nature as gentle as a child’s, his natural superiority never failed to show itself when 
he was with other men, not even among the distinguished men who gather in the 
winter at the nation’s capital. Yet he was thoughtful and considerate of his subordi- 
nates and always ready to give its meed of praise to any work well done by his 
humblest employee. 
Professor Baird had the enviable gift of not only endearing to him all who 
came in contact with him, but of inspiring them with his own enthusiasm and energy. 
This made Congressmen vote all the appropriations that he asked for, for it was a 
common sayiug at Washington that Congress always gave him everything that he 
wanted. Like a good general, he had the personal welfare of his men at beart while 
he was Fish Commissioner, and they in turn wanted to do everything in their power 
for him, which, doubtless, was one of the secrets of his great success. It is a fact 
that his employees in the Fish Commission would voluntarily work a great deal 
harder for him than they would for themselves. It was the inspiration of this patient, 
disinterested, tireless, kind-hearted, and lovable man that made them work so well 
and also made that work a pleasure. 
It is unnecessary to say that Professor Baird possessed extraordinary mental 
endowments, but I may perhaps mention one or two, as they are so rare. He had a 
quickness of apprehension that sometimes seemed almost supernatural. For instance, 
he would glance down along a printed page and comprehend in a moment what would 
take others several minutes to read. He had a marvelous memory, not only retentive 
of everything intrusted to it, but quick to call up anything that was wanted when it 
was wanted, a quality that most of us know well how to appreciate. His mind was 
also of the clearest type. No complications ever seemed to confuse him ; he never 
became involved during his conversations, no matter what were the intricacies of his 
subject. His mind, like his placid temper, never seemed to be ruffled or disturbed. 
Extraordinary as his mental faculties were, he had evidently added to their efficiency 
by severe discipline, for he possessed that infallible mark of a well-trained mind, of 
having all his great and diversified stores of knowledge classified and grouped 
together in his brain according to subjects, so that he could call up his whole knowl- 
edge of any subject at a moment’s notice. Another remarkable thing about his 
mental composition was that with a thoroughly scientific cast of mind were united 
qualities of the most practical character. He was a scientific man by nature. He 
loved science and scientific studies, but at the same time no man had a sounder judg- 
ment or a clearer head in the management of practical affairs. It is very rare to see 
scientific and practical qualities of mind united in such au eminent degree as they 
were in him. 
