Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1873-05-29

/ The OYSTER DkrpcKRs We copy The
following article from the Eastern ,iour.
nal If Saturday last. Many of our read
ers are concerned in the Oyster and Fish
Ing interest. and the efficiency Of Capt.
Timmoas' Police is something Of which
they are anxious to hear. The Journal
says:
The postponed oyster cascs came up be.
fore Justice liaddnywav at St. Michaels
on Friday last, The owners ofthrec YES
sells made their arpearan &c and were tried
and were acquitted. Captain Timmons
made the following return on the warrants
: issued. Il have notified the parties
3nargc! in these warrants, and believing
have no power TO bring then by force.
hereby return the warrants" The mag
istrate conceded with Mr. Mcclure. that
the return ended legal power under those
warrants. and ordered the eases struck
from the docket. Thus ends al, the cases
agains; dredgcrs for violating the laws o:
the State.
1, is little singular that Capt Tim
mons. the States officer. should use the
States boat to bring to the trial the coun-
sci for the defence. and not make the
slightest effort to have the State rcprescn-
ted at the trial. He seems to have much
greater concern in protecting the drci-
gers than seeing tina: justice is done the
State. Ii Capt. Timmons' view Of the
Oyster law is correct, the sooner the law
is repealed aud the oyster police force dis
banded. the better it will be for the State.
Repeal the law, prohihi, dredging in any
waters. abolish the police and save the
State the expenses. or enforce tn" law
/ The plea @. Capt. T:mmons that he has
no power to enforce tie law and serve 4
warrant is the most ridiculous that ever
was rromul sated-it is the perfection Of
abSutdi'y. The law was made to prevent
dredging except ia deep waters. and an
armed force provided 10 enforce the law,
but now comes the commander saving he
has no power to arrest any one, though
every licensed tongman, constable or sher-
iF has power and authority to arrest
The whole law was male to give the
entire control aud supreme power into
the hands Of the commander of the force.
and because to make the law more c'Tcc-
tual. additional officers were created BY
the law with power to arrest, the chef
is thereby deprived Of all power. Here's
richness for you. Here's chief without
power. while all his subordina,es and
nearly every body else. are clothed with
abundant power. Would s1ch an absurd
plea be made for any other purpose than
TO protect the dredcers from the penalty
of the violation Of the law? We learn
that some fifty warrants were issued to
Capt. Timmons by one Of the Magistrates
last week, and herctirscd 10 tah- tIcm He
imagines, we suppose, that he was placed
in charge Of the force for ornament, and
to draw $500 year salary, aud put
his friends in position. As he is neither
useful nor ornamental. We hope his SER
vices will be dispe' sod with. and dreis-
ing either prohibited. or some one placed in
charge Of the force who will enforce the
law. and see justice done the State and
the tongmen. who pay license Cor guar
anteed protection whica they Do not now
receive.
How Capt. Timmons can make the plea
of want o! authority to arres, is singular
indeed. and not thought of until It enter
ell his brilliant brain. See. u Of chap.
3G4, gives power Of arrest to ANY sheriff,
constable or other officer, crcate' un-
der this article" and Sec - makes i,
'thc duty Of the officer in charge Of the
Oyster police Of the State to overhaul
and examine the license ofsll vessels, and
to arres, all persons who may Be found vi
olating. or sho my hare bcen guilty, Of
any violation Of the provisions of this ar
ticle." II this docs not give power to ar
res: on warrant. then is the law a hum
bug. and the police an useless and dis
graceful imposition upon the people OF
the State.