Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-05-29

THE PROTECTIVE BILL PENDING IN THE DIS
rRIcT LEeIsLArURE DISCUSSED.
Inc committee on police Of the Council Of
SesrinS 81 y. Assembly yesterday gave
bill now pending for the preservation OF shad
and herring in the Potomac river. Both sides
were gwen an opportunity to express their
views on the question, and among those present
yesterday were Messrs. VIM. Z. Stewart and
George +. Chandler, representing the petition
ers in favor Of the bill; and Messrs. j. W. Reed,
Edward Raynor and Robert Lomax, opposed to
1.-THE latter representing the interests Of that
class of fishermen who use the gill-nets. Mr..
Browne, chairman, stated that he desired to
give both sides fair hearing, and desired that
they would confine their arguments to the
merits or dement's OF the bill, in order to give
ire committee all the information possible.
ARGUNENTs OF THE GILL-NETTERs.
Mr.. j. w. Reed, for the gill-netters, said they
nad come TO protest against the passage of the
bill which would interfere with their rights
and prevent them from providing bread for
Gibson, Mr.. Knight, MIR. Stewart, and others,
who fish with seines, desire to monopolize the
fishing, and drive out the small operators.
These gentlemen are all wealthy men, and had
the run of the whole season on the river. and
generally fished as long as 1T was.proftable for
them to do so, and 1t was a spirit of oppression
legislation. These men use seines varying from
hve to seven miles in length, and destroy more
spawn in one haul than those using traps do in
twenty -four hours. The traps used are station
the seine men Is to prevent those using the
traps and gill nets from making dollar. The
trappers commence working about the 10Th OF
May, and finish about the middle of July, while
the seine haulers commence the first of March
and work until the first of June. There had
never been any law to prevent them from car
rying on this business, and he could see no rea-
son why there should be any now. There are
but five or six men who fish with traps above
Fort washington, and not above one dozen al
together IN the river, and they do not average
IL fSh in un fO,,r ha,,r
er. They supply the markets and fish dealers
with fresh fish in a few hours after the catch.
MI Reed, at the request OF Mr.. Browne,
made rude drawing OF the construction of the
traps used by them, and also explained the dif-
ference between the various nets used I'm fish
ing. The trappers catch very few shad and do
very little harm in preventing them from
spawning. 1t WAS the long seines in the lower
river that do the harm.
Mr.. Lomax ION the same side) explained that
they make their living by fishing, and not only
fish, and other kinds that they can catch and
he WISHED to know what they are to do with the
few herring and shad which come into their
t nees while nsning for perch were they to throw
fresh and in good condition?
MT Raynor, on the same side, asked that ac-
ton tie deferred until those opposed could pre-
sent q petition with the signatures of large
number which they would do if permitted
Mr. Browne said the committee were DESTROYS
OF dong justice to all-the object being to do
"a greatest good to the greatest number, and
If 1T was appar ,nt that the gill nets and traps
are destroying the fish by interfering with the
spawn 1t would be for the interests OF ALL and
the duty OF the committee to report bill regu-
lating the landing and sale of fish, which would
anect all classes of fishermen, seine men, and
all alike.
GIVE THE FISH CHANCE.
MI. George Il. Chandler, dealer i'm the mar
ket, said the bill, ii passed, would seriously
affect his interests in a pecuniary manner: vet
he would willingly sacrifice his interest for the
sake OF giving the fish chance to increase in
our river. He disclaimed any idea of a desire
TO Cypress or interfere with the rights OF the
trappers or gill-net men. The laws OF Mary
land and Virginia prohibit the use of fishing
gill nets are included in the provisions OF these
laws. He stated that Mr.. Knight, who has the
shore near the Long bridge, and who is more
interested in fishing later in the season, is will
ing to stop If others will do the same. He had
no doubt that trap fishing did great damage
and should be stopped after the ist Of June.
MI. " m r: Stewart, representing the seine
interests, said the only object they have in view
Is the preservation of shad and herring. He
1isclaimed the assertion that this step had been
taken by the seine men in a spirit of oppression
20 % the trap and gil-net men. He thought there
: now as much need of this proposed law as
there Is for the game laws, and that IT will work
Tor the interest of all concerned in the fishing
interests, dealers as well as fishermen. He
hought shad just as unfit to eat after the first
II j une rs rabbits and partridges
NO others being inclined to give their views,
dr. Browne announced that the committee
would give both sides OF the question All i'm
md in the meantime any others Interested could
all upon the committee and state their views;
he committee would be glad to have them do so.
ORDERS OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC Works.
ne contractor for improvement of 10th street |
orth west has been directed to repair the side |
pennsylvania avenue and street, and the
anne on Louisiana avenue, between 9th and |
9th streets. The superintendent of streets has /,
cen ,o airected to put trap in alley in square
ng line OF l. street and that the trap at the |
MOUTH OF the hve-fOot alley be replaced with |
new one.
SMALL P0X CASES since our last report: One
'etween 9th and It'll and and H streets south |
vest; corner 5th and streets southeast; 3O6 l. |
treet southwest; Springman's alley, between |
tn and 18th and and H streets southwest: al |
ey between 9th and eth and G and H streets |
Outhwest, and two in alley between H and l |
nd AZ and 9Th streets southwest.
BASE BALL.-To-morroW AFTERNOON the Lord |
baltimore and Washington Clubs will play their |
bird championship match, on the Olympic |
TO A lively contest may be expected.
THE COURTS.
COURT IN GENERAL TERM-Todsy, on
notion Of Prof. WedgewoOd, the graduates of the
! plomas last night were admitted to the bar. |
Nlloughoy, OF Alexandris, was, on motion Of Col.
thompson, admitted to the bar.
The case Of Dawson &~So. agt. v. Whittlesey ct
u was argued The issue In this suit is whether a
Widows right OF dover may be made available in
guilty by a judgment creditor.
CIRCUIT COURT, Jxdxe Hxmphreys-To-day
y kss GO. agt kibourn Latta, submitted, anu
ndgment Tor pisintif-appeal prayed. Hawes agt.
y y; T9iSgtSn M"rfst company; dismissed. Breton
'lalntIni Damages nominal. Bissell sgt Thomp.
0nt verdict for plaintiff. Heustis agt. Birgy: on
rial.
POLICE COURT, Judge SxeH-Yesterday, Thos.
Sandolph was fined $50 and costs or six months in
all Tor carrying pistol Lee Thompson was
harged with throwing garbage and filthy slops in
jhain alley; the Judge said he would impose the
highest penalty S5 which too small for the Of
ence.
THE CHARGE OF FORGERY OF HIS wfFE's NAME
AGAINST Mr.. UNDERHiI,I