Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1871-02-17
Fishing on the Potomac River.

Fishing on the Potomac River.
CCoxMUEIcArED.1
Mr.. Editor:-I have read with much inter-
est, in your issue of Feb. 10th, Consumers"
statement. prepared by one thoroughly con-
versent with the subject" "descrbing the sew
erafmodes and effects of fishing" and EXPLAIN
ing why, by the abuse of some Of these
"modes," the "etfects" have been so pernici-
ci"us to the value Of fishing property, and so
destructive Of shad and herring.
Concurring fully with most Of the writer's
ideas. and realizing the great importance to
the State, of the fishing interest, am glad t.
be able to state, for the benefit If thase inter
ested, that'the subject has been for sometime
under consideration by Governor B,wie,
whom consumer" suggests should be "be-
seiged till some action is taken in this grave
matter" aud that he has probably already.
ere this, communicated with the Virginia
authorities with view to secure concurrent
action by the two States in enforcing such
laws as they already have. as, without the c'-
operation of Virginia, Governor Bowie doubts
the validity of the Maryland law Of 1870, or
to procure the passage of new and more eff
fective laws.
That Governor Bowie is fully impressed
with the importance Of the fishing interest, is
abundantly shown by his message to the last
Legislature. in which he urged concurrent ac-
ton by Maryland and Virginia, expresses the
opinion that the then 'existing laws regulat-
ing our fisheries are lamentably inadequate n
the purposes for which they were enacted,
and, unless amended and others passed and
enforced. we will prove recreant to great
trust condded to us by bcne6cent Providence;
and great source Of National wealth will
perish through our own neglect"
Further, in speaking of "the river fisheries
of shad and herring" he adds, ''these, once OF
great value. have gone to decay; landings
which once produced thousands of dollars ar-
uualy will now scarcely yield hundreds the
cost Of cured fish, to the consumer, is full Eve
hundred per cent. in excess Of what it was
forty years ago; what was once cheap and
common food of the poor is fast becoming a
delicacy. attainable only by the rich; and
Maryland, from having been large export
er, has become an importer Of shad and her,
ring"
He also stated in words what "Consumer"
asserts in substance, that "this impoverish-
ment Of our fisheries is due to everlasting
with improper nets" among other causes e.
Enumerated, and urged action by the Legisla-
ture some Of his suggestions we're adopted
| by the Legislature. One authorizing the APP
pointment Of Fish Commissioners .'whose duty
it shall be 70 inspect the bay and river 6she
ries Of the State and to report npon the same,
may be most conducive to their protection
and improvement" The Governor, / know.
has delayed the appointment Of this commits
sion hoping for concurrent action BY Virginia.
which he suggested as necessary for a full sue
cess, and because, in the great difficulty Of
obtaining gentlemen fully competent by SCI
eutific study and practical experience in fish
culture, one of those whom he had selected as
prominently fitted for the position was il"
Europe, whence his return is daily expected.
The Commissioners will be announced in time
for the Spring fisheries, and their report will
he made to the next Legislature.
In the meantime Governor Bowie, it is
known here, il devsing means for the bes
enforcement Of what laws we already have
upon the subject. aud is endeavoring to induct.
concurrent action by our sister State Of Vir
yinia.
The same determination he has evinced t.
enforce the "duck law" Of last session will b
used in enforcing the Fishery law" aud it i
hoped and predicted that the same success
which he accomplished with the Virginia Gov
ernor and Legislature, 10 inducing the release
If our oystermen aud the return to them OF
their forfeited vessels, amounting in value to
many thousands of dollars. will attend his ef-
forts in procuring favorable legislation from
Virginia upon the subject Of fisheries.
will add that the violation Of the duck law
upon the Susquehana having been effectuaIly
stopped, Capt. Davidson, within the knowl-
edge of the writer Of this, has been for two ar
three weeks under orders from Gov. Bowie
to give the Potomac river, where, it is under
stood, the Susquehana duckers went after be-
ing broken up on their own shooting grounds
his attention; and his steamer would have
been there fortnight ago but for her having
broken her machinery in forcing her way
through the ice. b
The steamer is probably in the Potomac
waters now, looking after the duckers, and
will certainly be there the greater part Of the
Spring, if there is any disposition to violate
the fish law of the last Legislature.
RIPARIAN.
ANNAPOLIS. February 1871, 1871.
Scholarships.