Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-02-16

bays are haunted by these poge steamers and
whose occupations have been destroyed? deny
sir that this monopoly Is Of any benefit to the
State of Maine, beyond the taxes IT pays; but on
the contrary by the manner IN which their bnsi-
ness is conducted 1t does great damage aud is
highly injurious to real Interests and prosperi-
ty, a have already shown 1t is admitted by all
that the supply of pogIes is ineXhausible, that at
times ,he is full OF them; that when they
seek the bays and rivers they lose their fat and
are not profitable to catch and the pogie men
themselves have told me that they never wanted
a steamer to 90 into a fiyer their nets were liable
to get damaged and they wished there a las
strong enough to keep their captains out Of them.
Now is it too much to ask that while this State
permits citizens OF other States to take fish in
waters, 1t should ,av to them that within certain
limits YOU shall not fish except our own citizens
fish I: This bill as 1t will read when amended,
proposes to restrict fishing with these enormous
nets in any waters Of one mile or less in width.
have made this change from two miles to one
mule, in spirit Of compromise ahd hore 1t will
be generously met by The other side. THIS lin
tied restriction deprives the porgle fishermen oil
very little, will reduce his dividends but trl-
ile for he has all the large bays aud inltts and
the whole coast in which to fish. While il
prot cts the salmon, shad aud alewves ia our
rivers. and also the smallest Of our bays and in
lets tor The shore fishermen.
Nj. Speaker, have already, ! fear, wearled
vour patience, as well as myself | might ailude
to the course which has been pursued towards
these petitioners from the commencement of the
session till this day but forbear. 1 discuss
ing principles, not men.
The poor fisherman has no money TO tee law
yor- to plead his cause. lie cannot employ lob
by lsts to watch every movement of the legisa
ture, but he pres anis hi case to You, gentlemen,
who should be his guardians and protectors Tie
is "A la ab ding cItzen, patient aud long suffer
ing. Wee he not, we might have had here a
conflict similar to the oyster war in Nlrg inia
where the eat Zens Of that State drove oh by
force of arms people of other States fishing IN
their waters contrary 10 law.
Our citizens should receive equa, care and pro-
lection; various laws are passed here to protect
int, rests needing and protection. We pay
.arge sums OF money, anl properly toe, To build
roads and bridges, when the people are too poor
10 build them themselves. The fishermen ASK for
no money, bat they do ask for protection. The
people living the keunebec aud other rivers
ask for the aud for rvs that can he enforced
They ask that the small bays, nlets ID rivers
Of one mile less in width, fishing with these
enormous seines shall not be permitted. That is
all.
In conclusion, Mr.. Speaker. the Importance of
thls question grows W on me the more | consider
1t and | am Only too sensible si NY lnablIIty to
treat it according TO its merits. | can now only
appeal for justice to the powers that be, and upon
you, geutiemen of this House. rests the respOnsl
b ity of granting OF denying the prayer OF tue pc
tltionors.