ees 
one to see that such laws are properly enforced. A great deal of 
fault is found and blame attached to the Commission for not using 
ereater efforts in enforcing existing laws. We can not find any 
warrant, further than is implied by our position, for making this a 
a part of our business, more than that of any other citizen, but we 
have, whenever evidence could be obtained, usurped such powers 
and prosecuted all cases that could be reached. 
It will readily be understood that to do the necessary work of the 
Commission, as enumerated in this Report, must consume a large 
amount of time, and that to do all the work assigned them by a 
willing public would make it an exclusive business for them, which 
amount of time could not well be given under the circumstances, 
as, under our law, the Commissioners serve without compensation. 
RAILROADS. 
We desire to acknowledge the favors we have received from the 
various railroad managements of the State. We have had but to 
present our requests to have them granted, and have found them 
at all times willing and ready to aid us in every possible way, 
showing by their acts a substantial appreciation of the work, and 
that it is, as it should be, of a public nature entirely, benefiting all 
alike. 
CONCLUSION. 
In conclusion we would again urge the importance of the work of 
the Fish Commission, benefiting, as it does, the greater propor- 
tion of the people of the State, and the urgent necessity which 
exists for more stringent protective laws properly enforced, and we 
believe we cannot present our view of this matter more forcibly than 
by quoting the following extract from the opinion of the Supreme 
Court, as delivered by Mr. Justice Walker, a copy of which is given 
in full in another part of our report: . 
‘All must admit that from the remotest times game has been the 
subject of protection by legislation in Great Britain and im this 
country since its settlement; nor has any one, until recently, ques- 
tioned the constitutional power to adopt such laws, and our con- 
stitution places both the preservation of game and fish on the same 
basis and equality. 
“There ig no question that more concerns the public than an abund- 
ant supply of cheap and healthy food. In a densely populated 
country it is the all absorbing question that engages the attention 
of its people and the Government. It is the basis of the happiness, 
prosperitv and contentment of all peoples. And with our unparal- 
leled increase of population, vast as is our domain, in a generation 
more it will become the all absorbing economical question for the 
Government to solve. Even now, in some portions of the Union, it 
is taxing the energy of the people and the wisdom of statesmen, to 
a high degree, to provide against pinching want; and it must be 
obvious to all that the question of the increase of the supply of 
food, and the preservation of the sources of its supply, are matters 
of the highest public concern. 
