The Penn's Grove record., 1885-04-18
DeIaware's New Fishing Law.
The fshermen excited. Governor
Albeit at P~ennsgrove.

For the past week the fishermen all
along the river have been greatly excl
ted over the lie w fishing law which was
passed by the Delaware Legislature
last week. 1t provides that:
at shall be-unlawful for any person.
not being a citizen of this State, TO catch
or take fish of any kind in tie Delaware
bay or river, or any of the creeks empty
ing into the same, within the limits oil
this State, nor shall any person oelng a
citizen of this state have tran sierrco 10
him or in any way have control over or
possession of any boat, vessel OF net
which shall be owned in whole or in any
part by any person who is not a citizen
of this State"
A second section requires chat every
fisherman be compelled to make an ath
dayit that he is a citizen Of the State of
Delaware, and the true and legal owner
of the boat and n used"
The act. will affect the interest of the
sturgeon fishermen more than that OF
the shad men. Most all oGr sh ad fish
erman live in cabins ON the Jersey SHE
during the fishing season and fish most
" on the Jersey side of the river where
they did not fear Of being arrested ex-
cent a few who fished off Port Penn and
board there at the hotel. Those Mt
Port Penn being informed that the au-
thorities contempted arresting them
sold what shad they had and came
home last Friday evening week. Ihey
have since gone to the buy and reside
at Alloway and Hope creek.
The sturgeon fishermen were nearly
ready to leave for the bay when they
heard of tie law and wishing to ascer-
tain their legal rights oil the question,
appointed a committee composed OF
Thorn as Torton, Henry Blohm, Ernest
Bright, which being headed by Assem-
bIyman j. d. Whitaker visited the
Governor ut Jersey City on Saturday.
He gave them no definite answer but
at once took measure to- investigates
the legal question of the matters and
called TO a decision from Attorney
General Stockton.
Daring Monday aud Tuesday the ex-
citement was at its high and wal with
Delaware was the general talk. The
unexpected arrival OF Governor Albeit
Oh Tuesday evening, some what allay-
ed the excitement although he gave no
definite decision OH the question. DE
arrived about $50 p. M. on the tug
Jamesburg from Philadelpuia. He
was accompined by State Comptr oller
Anderson, Col. Charles ". Fuller, and
Gen. Is. w. Spenser. An informal con
ferance was held in the evening i'll
Freach's hotel at which Prosecutor n.
IL. Shape, and Mayor Acton, of Salem
and many of the citizens who were i'll
terested in the fishing industries were
present. The object of his visit was to
acquire such Information rs would en-
able him 10 properly care for and pro-
tect the interests of our citizens. He
said that as citizens they might go ON
and fish but to provoke no disturbance
lie expected to have al answer in a few
days and had taken measures to have
the injunction of TIE ULited States
court against Delaware put in force.
The party accompanied by Capt. Whit
aker left about s O'Clock Oh Wednesday
morning. Alter running down to
Deep Water point the tug turned and
went up the western channel to Phil
adelphia.
The trouble is caused by Delaw are
trying to enforce her claim oven ali the
waters IN the Delawree river and bay
within the l2-mile circle from New
Castle tue history of which was pub
lislied in the RECORD a few weeks
ago, A similar dispute occurred in 1872
when blood came very neal being shed,
Governor Parker then ISIS ued Il prucla-
nation on behalf OF New Jersey juriS-
dietion over the Delaware to the centre
Of the channel through it's whole
length. II is not only expected that
Governor Albeit will stand by this but
will have the question settlrd forever.
The Wilmington, Del Morning NerS
says. "QRe Of tie most prominent law