The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-05-01
[CHAPrER 49,.
CATCHING OF OYSTERS IN THE PO-
T0MAC RIVER
AN ACT

AN ACT
To regulate the catching Of oysters in the
waters Of the Potomac River.
SECTION /. Be it enacted by the General
Assembly Of MArylau That no boat or yes.
sci propelled by steam shall be used in CATCH
ing oysters in the waters of the Potomac river
and no other boat shall be used in catching
oysters with scoop, dredge, drag or similar
implement, in the waters Of said river, with
out first having been licensed as hereinafter
provided
Sec. 2. And be il enacted, That the Comp
troller Of the Treasury shall, upon the appli-
cation Of any person who has been resident
citizen Of this State for twelve months next
preceding such application, and who Is the
| bona iide owner OF the boat or vessel sought
TO be licensed, and TO no other person, issue a
/ license to use such boat or vessel Ia catching
oysters with SCOOP, dredge drag or similar i'm.
| plement, within such Of the waters Of the
Potomac river as are not prohibited by the
provisions Of this act, which license shall hold
good for one year, but shall only authorize the
atchng Of oysters between the fifteenth day
Of October and the first day Of April; out it
shall be lawful for the licensed owner Of ans
snch boat, whenever such owner shall sell and
convey by bill OF sale for bona hde eonsid.
GRAFTON said boat to any person who has been
a resident Of this State for the twelve consecu.
tive months next preceding such sale, to trans
fer the said license to said vendee with said
boat, which license, when 80 transferred, shat
entitle said vendee with said boat 10 the SAME
privileges for catching oysters in the water
OF the Potomac river that the vendor had be-
fore such sale, provided that said yendre shsl
appear before the Comptroller Of the Treasuf
and make oath before him TO all the facts
matters, things and prerequisites required o
said original vendor before taking out suci
license, upon which said license said Comp
troller shall certify the fact Of said vende'
having taken said oath, and for which the sal,
vendee shall pay the sum Of i've dollars, TO b
paid to the State Of Maryland.
Sec. 3. And be il enacted, That the owne
Of such boat shall make oath before the Comp
troller or his clerk, that he is the bona I'D
owner OF such boat TO be described in the license
that he has been a resident-citizen Of tn
Stale for the time befc1e mentioned; that Their
is no lien on said boat held by a non. res ident
and that said boat shall not be used in viola
ting the provisions Of this act; such applicAn
shall exhibit to the Comptroller at the time o
such application the Custom House enroll
ment or license Of such boat, and il such boa
is under Custom House tonnage shall swear \
her tonnage.
Sec 1. And be il enacted, That befor
granting such license, the Comptroller sha
receive fer IL from such applicant the sum @
three dollars per ton for every ton the boa
may measure; said license shall be exhibite
whenever called for by any officer Of the Stat
Fishery force, or any person having a righ
under The provisions Of this act to make arrest
and seizures for violating any Of its provisions
Sec ). Aud be II enacted, That no perso
or boat licensed under the provisions OF thi
act shall take or catch, or be used 10 tAkin
or catching oysters with scoop, dredge, dra
or similar Implement, in any waers of III
Potomac river OF less than twelve feet in depth
nor in any Of the waters OF said river betweei
the Maryland shore and straight lines, a
follows From the most eastern point Of III
headland known as Poseys Bluff, to a bno
near the southern or southeastern point o
prong Of Heron Island Bar, thence to Black
islone's Island Light House, thence TO a buo
near the end ofCobb Point Bar.
Sec. 6. And be Il enacted, That IL any per
son or persons having been licensed under th
act 10 catch oysters with scoop, dredge, dra
or similar implement in the waters Of the Pc
tomac river, fhall violate the provisions q
the preceding sections, such person or person
shall be liable TO arrest, and the boats, YES
sells and equipments used shall be seized, an
upon proof Of such violation before Justie
Of the Peace or q Judge Of the Circuit CouF
for the county nearest the place Of such viola
ton, on arrest and seizure shall be fined no
less than fifty dollars nor more than tire
hundred dollars; aud said fines and all cost
OF prosecution shal! be a lien on the boats
vessels and equipments. which, IL said fine ani
Gusts Of prosecution be not paid within tel
days after Judgment, or appeal be not taken a
hereinafter provided. shall be sold at publ
sale to the highest bidder for cash, under sue
orders and notice as The Judge or Justice afors
said may prescribe; If said arres, and seiz1r
be made by any officer Of the State Fisher
Fore, said fine shall be paid into the Urea,
ury Of the State; but II made by any othe
person or persons having the right 10 arres
and seize, one-half OF said fne shall be pal
10 the Clerk Of the Circuit Court Of The count
In which the Gaze has been tried, TO be PAL
BY said Clerk 10 the Comptroller Of the STATE
and the other half shall be equally divide
between the parties who made or assisted I
making the arrest and seizure.
i Sec. 4. And be il enacted, That any boa
vessels and equipments owned wholly or l
part by any nonresident, used in caichin
oysters in the waters Of the Potomac rive