Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-03-22

VIEWS OF aNoTHER PHILADELPHIA PAPER |
ON THE RIGHr AND WRONG OF THE
MATTER.
From the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin
The commissioners appointed by New
jersey and Delaware to settle the dispute
between the two States respecting the Del
aware fisheries met In this city last week,
but accomplished very little. The only
result of the conference was an agreement
upon the part of the Delaware commits
sioners to ask the Legislature of their
State TO suspend, during the approaching
season, the tax and license laws against
Jersey fishermen. The purpose Is to give
tho New Jersey commissioners time to
consider the subject further. II may fairly
be doubted if the Delaware Legislature
will concede this much. 1t is body not
greatly disposed TO liberality in any dlrec-
ton, and where II has law aud precedent
both on It's side, its disposition will be. If
il is true to its character, to require obedi-
ence to the strict letter of its law.
The claim of Delaware is, that the
curved boundary line at the northern end
OF the State sweeps In seml-clrele out
over the river, touching the New Jersey
shore, and coming back across the stream
again TO Delaware. Over the fishing
grounds included 10 this are, the State
holds that Il has exclusive jurisdiction,
and its title has been made clear in de-
cislon Of the Supreme Court of the United
States. Upon this authority, Delaware
has imposed tax upon the fishermen
from Jersey aud Pennsylvania who oper
ate in the waters of the river within the
boundaries aforesaid. The Jerseymen, In
dlgnant tat they cannot fish within three
feet Of their own territory, have several
times set Delaware at defiance, and the
haa hanp the FOms
hscation of boats and nets, and the ap'
pearance Of the offenders before a magis'
trate in Wilmington.
A declaration Of war followed, and ba
for the prompt Interference OF the author
itics in favor of peaceful solution Of Thu
difficulty, the waters Of the peaceful Della
ware might have been dyed with blood
Unless Delaware agrees TO suspend tn
tax temporarily, the conflict may come, a
any rate, with the opening Of the hshinI
season and we may be called upon 1
witness, In the middle Of the river, tn
spectacle of Jerseymen heSing the men
Delaware to the thigh, while the latte
wake the echoes with the revolver aud Cd
howiizer, the unperturbed and happy sha
meanwhile swimming peaceably beneall
unconscious Of the disturbance II ha
caused.
For the sake OF peace II is to be hope
Delaware Will be accommodating IN IN
matter but If she is not, the soul Of u
fisherman of Pennsylvania will not
filled with inconsolable anguish. Only
year or two ago New Jersey sher
seized the boats of certain fishermen fro
this Stat because they had violated /
oppressive and proposterons law OF .
Commonwealth over the river. And ey
yet, Pennsylvanians are not only prohi
itad from fishing In certain New Jers
waters, but Jersey craft dare not do
II II has Pennsylvanian on board. L
sutferings of Jerseymen, therefore,
the hands of Delaware, are In
nature of a retrbution and wick
people will be glad If the Delaware la
are enforced with unsparlng rigori III
New Jersey begins to comprehend sor
thing Of the hurtfulness and injustice
such enactments But the fact is, that
fishing grounds In such streams as
Delaware shoHld be open to everybo
and when the people of these ndjoin
States properly comprehend their duty
each other, all this legislation which
eliminates harshly against particu
classes will be abolished but New JeT
VIII not deserve such Just treatment u
she sets the example by repeating the
setmeuts which dishgure her OWL stai