The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-06-05
Th enquiries ofour correspondent, "Up

Ina enquiries Oh our urcOrreSpouueuS, w
Country" in the communication publish
ed last week relative to the reason for
scarcity of shad in the Savannah river
and its tributaries, have been discussed at
somes1ength for several years past. a
brief resume of the facts in that matter
is, that by what is termed the Treaty of
Beaufort" between the States of Georgia
and South Carolina, the boundary line
between these States was fixed at the
low-water mark on the Carolina side of
river, but with the right Of free nayiga-
ton reserved to the citizens of both
these States. Of course this was guar
antee for ample openings in this river.
Some time after the reconstruction era,
while the Republicans had control of the
State, charter was obtained from
South Carolina for the Edge6eld Cotton
and Wooden Manufacturing Company,
which gave the right to stop the river BY
the erection of dam or dams, provided
that sufficient openings should te left for
the easy passage of migratory fish. The
dam for the Augusta canal was erected
under this charter, buc the openings left
in it are entirely insufficient for the pas.
sage of any fsh-the force of the water
being sufficient to prevent their ascent.
While in the Legislature Mr.. Murray
attempted to procure proper legislation
to require the putting in of good and
sufficient fish. ways, and to prevent trap
ping or seining within one mile of the
dam. The latter was passed, but the
bill requiring the putting in of fsh'ways
after it passed the House was fought in
the Senate by the City OF Augusta. AT.
ter argument by Col. W. 7. Gary, of
Augusta, against and Mr.. Murray for the
bill, Col. Gary proposed to pay to the
Commissioner of Agriculture an amount
sufficient to build the fsh-way., Col.
Butler was sent for, and thought the
work could be done for one thousand
dollars. J: Mr.. Murray consented to have
the bill laid on the table, if they would
pay in fifteen hundred dollars. Col.
Gary wanted the receipt drawn in full of
all demands for fish-way. Mr.. Murray
objected that if it was not sufficient
Augusta under the charter, was bound
to keep sufficient openings, and he was
unwilling to agree to accept it unless its
expenditure proved efficient. The re-
ceipt was then drawn, simply acknowl.
edging the receipt of the money to be
expended for 6sh-way, and it was paid
over to Col. Butler.
When Col. Butler advertised for bids
he found that it would cost thirty.three
hundred dollars. This occasioned some
delay, but it vas put in last Fall, the
City Of Augusta making good the neces'
sary balance. We do not know anything
about the. work, whether it was we'll done
or, not. Nor do We know anything of
the rumors concerning it, but we are
satisfied that it has not proven efficient.
The representatives from this part of
the State:in the next Legislature ought
to endeavor to procure the necessary
legislation to have the 6sh.way opened.
Under their charter they are bound to
keep sufficient openings, and they ought
to be required to comply with it. This is
all shst we know about the matter. If
we can be of further service to our cor
in the matter it will afford us
pleasure.