Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1868-08-15

Tar NEW FIsH LAw,-We publish, below, the
new fish law passed by our State Legislature last
winter It will be observed that is very stringent
in relation to fsh-baskets. The erection oil these
contrivanoes has the most perncious effect on the
fisheries as they catch and destroy millions OF tue
young fsh, on their passage down the river we
learn that there is great deal of this kind oil fish
ing being done on or about the Shamokin dam, be-
low this place, which the law especially prohibits
As this is the season in which the baskets are gene
rally put up, for the information of all concerned
we publish the act Of Assembly, which imposes a
heavy fine and imprisonment all nfractors of the
law, and will further state, as warning to all
offenders that parties have taken the matter in hand
who will see that the law is rgidly enforced.
Col. James Worral, of Harrisburg, the Fish Com
missioner appointed by Gov. Geary, is doing all in
his power to supply the citizens of the towns along
the river with the excellent fish for which the Sus
quehanna Ia noted, and 1t should be the duty of
every good citizen to aid him in carrying out the
law. suit has already been entered against the
Pennsylvania Canal Company for not opening the
Duncan's Island dam, which will be tried next
month. When the law once compels the opening Of
that dam for the passage of FISH, every obstruction
of the kind will of course have 10 follow suit. The
following is the act of Assembly:
further supplement to the act relating to the
passage of fish in the Susquehanna river and GER
tain of its tributaries
SIC. |. Be ii enacted dc That the fifth section
of the act to which this is supplement be and the
same is hereby amended rs to read section fifth
it shall not be lawful for any person or persons 10
build, extend or place any fish basket, fish trap or
other device permanent temporary, in the nature
of fish basket fish trap, or at any place In
the Susquehanns river other stroam or streams,
designated embraced in this net neither shall 1t
be lawful to fish with any seine or by any other sys.
TEN of entrappng, in numbers, within two hundred
yards of any suioe or other device erected for the
passage of fish described in this act or upon or
about any dam in or upon which such stuice shall
have been erected, or to draw any seine or net in
any of the said rivers streams, within one-half
mile below any of said sluices to use any device
or means to frighten the fish or spawn or fry, or
otherwise to prevent their free passage up or down
! the said streams passage ways, at any distance
whatever from said dams and any person offending
against the provisions of this section, their aidcrs
abettors, shall bo guilty of misdemoanor, and on
conviction thereof shall be fined in any sum not less
| than one hundred nor more than one thousand dol
lars and be imprisoned the discretion of the court
for period Of not than twelve months. one
half of the fine, above mentioned to be paid to the
informer or complainant information may be laii
MS in any other of misdemeanor by any citizen,
before any justice of the peace in the district in
which the offence shall be committed and it shall
be the duty of all constables, in their townships.
wards districts, to keep special watch and make
return of any violation Of this law to each and every
court Of quarter sessions in the county or counties
in and for which thoy may be constable consta-
bles, in the case Of other misdemeanors coming
within the line of the duty of snid constabes as
guardians of the peace and Of which they are bound
to take notice and make return.
Sec. 2. The office Of Commissioner designated in
the act to which this is a supplement, is hereby fur
| ther continued under the appointment of the Gov
and provided for in said act, but shall
and determine on the 3lst day Of December, 1868.
The duties Of said commissioner in addition to, and
in connection with those specified by law, shall
be to his best endcavors in tho general further
of the objects of these acts, AMI if any
rent legislation be necessary in conjunction with the
State of Maryland, TO ascertain and report such pro-
posed legislation to the Governor, who will submit
the same, with his recommendations, favorable or
otherwise, without delay, to the Legislature of this
Commonwealth, and the duties of the said COmmis.
oner shall be further extended as to include the
consideration of and reporting to the Governor such
action may be necessary and practicable. in view
of the planting and propagation of edible fish in
such of the rivers and streams Of this Common
wealth as may be fitted for the same.
ELISHA W. DAVIS,
Speaker OF the House of Representatives.
JAS. l.. GRAHAM,
Speaker of the Senate.
Approved the ninth day of April, one thousand
JNO W. GEARY