The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-07-14
FOr The
FISHING LAWS.
Elk RIVER, July 9TH, 1877.

Elk RIVER, July 9Th, 1877.
Mr.. H. r. ToRBERT-.Sr:-We feel
somewhat in the dark concerning the law
in regard to fish traps. We were under
the impression that all kinds of set nets or
fish traps were forbidden by law between
the 10th of June and the LIST of March. If
this is the law, where are our police, or is
there no one to look after these things?
We tind great many traps or fixes fish
ing. They are set around almost every old
wreck, SO that the perch are not allowed to
gather. They are great nuisance, and if
they are allowed to fish, they will il q short
time destroy all tho porch, rock and other
small fish. If these fixes are allowed, why
are not pound nets allowed, for they are
good deal on the same order9 With these
fixes, two or three men may monopolize
the whole river, whereas if they did not
fish, there would lie raG.G enough for
dozens of boats to fish with hand lines
1t is not SO much for the fish that the fixes
catch that we complain, but where they are
set, there is no chance for any other kind
Of fishing; for if you fish with hooks, you
are continually fast in them, apa then they
are set all the tine and catch every fish
that comes up, and as fast as they come up,
SO that the fish are not allowed to gather.
Of course, we think every cian has a right
to fish as he pioases, as long as he does not
violate the law, and our object is to find
out whether these fixes are against the law
or not, and if they are, they should be
stopped Immediately. If not, then let them
go on, and others will Join them until there
will have to be law to stop them.
We would further ask, why is the law
not enforced against foreigners coming into
our waters to fish, There are great
many sloops from Philadelphia that make
it a business to come here every Summer
to catch up our fish, send them to the city,
and collect the money and spend it there
1t does us no good at all. They seem to
think that they have perfect right to come
here and fish where they please. They go
on mans shore and fish as they please,
and some of them defy you to make them
leave. Ihave known cases where the owner
of shores have been on the shore whilst they
were making haul, and after they landed
they would pick up all the fish, except
probably a few little minnies, and run off.
Then with a taunt say, there is your mess
on the shore, when they would not actually
be fit for the hogs Now, il our own men
would do such dirty tricks, they would not
be allowed to come on the shore after one
trial. You may say, why not stop them?
But what can one man do with crew of
six or eight, and some of them Of the hard
est kind.
We have plenty of laws, and, in fact,
too many, but it seems that they ara not
enforced at the proper time, or else they
are not of the right kind. There are many
laws passed in regard to fishing that we do
not approve of at all, but as they have
been passed we think they should be en-
forced. Are there not police appointed to
look after these lawsa If so, where are
they? Is it not the duty of the same men
who enforce the ducking laws to enforce
the fishing laws. AN INQUIRER.
1.-THE things complained of by Enquirer
are violations of the law. All that is neces-
sary is for him to make complaint before
the nearest magistrate and secure the arrest
Of the parties.-ED.l