The daily state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 188?-1891, 1891-02-25
liOGSE-.NIGHT SESSION.

AS special order, the bill to pro-
mote and protect the oyster interests Of
the State was taken up, with a favor
able report from the majority Of the
committee Cn fish interests Mr. Bond
sent up, en- ben i Of tie minority, re-
port in which ano her bill was recon-
mended. This bill accompanied the
minority report. This report urges the
use Of dTedsos by residents, in deep
water. blr. Bond asked that the parts
Of the substitute relative to dredging be
read. lie said that GOn-r1sldents had
made bogus transfers Of vessels and had
then evaded the laws, and that there
was q provision in the substitute to pre-
vent this.
Mr.. Mann SAID he desired to state
briefly his view and that Of his people.
and said the majority report had been
| considered daily by all the members who
have oyster interests. He was surprised
at the report Of the minority Of the COM
mittee. The signers of the minority
report, save that of Mr.. Bond, had never
attended meeting of the Committee.
| A Senator had signed it, but no Joint
| meeting Of the committee hal been held.
| He described the two bills The majority
bin prohibits dredging. The substitute
permits dredging. The Legislature, a
| month ago or more, faced this question.
1t said dredging should end. The result
| Of that legislation is that once again
there is peace in the eastern waters. He
| believed if dredging was permitted
that before another session of the Legis-
lature the oysters beds would not be
there. II dredging were permitted
only by residents, the factories
would employ force which would in
two years sweep the waters clear. 1t
would cost $50, 600 a year to keep out
siders away, If residents we're allowed
| to dredge. The people Of the State must
unanimously demand the abolition of
dredging. The whole fight amount to
the protests Of three towns against all
the rest cf the east. These towns are
New Berne, Elizabeth City and Washing
ton. Will the legislature regard these
| protests from three towns and disregard
the people of ali the rest Of the east
Any Of the companies now canning would
give $50, 600 a year for the privilege of
dredging.
He said he believed Mr. Bond was at
heart opposed to dredging. Mr.. Bond re-
piled that he did not oppo e dredging in
the deep water. Mr. Mann asked again
if individually Mr. Bond did not oppose
dredging Mr.. Bond said be did wish
there could be no dredging, but that be
saw 10 reason why the oysters in deep
water should not be dred ged, and why
the oystermen should be confined to q
small strip along the shore. Mr.. Mann
said the way to stop dredging was tC
vote for the ma jority bill He also said
the tongers could catch in water in near
" all parts Of the State. He had known
oystermen to take oysters with tongs il
twento feet of water. The majority bill
reflects the interests Of Eastern Nortf
Carolina. Thousands Of people have pc
titiOns for the measure. The license pro
vlded for in the bill are less than th'
people asked for. We will raise SO, ,00t
to $l2, 900 year in revenue. Mr.. Pee
bles asked if Lieutenant Wlnslow ha(
not stated that there were track
, in the sounds in which by reason
: Of the depth Of water oysters could 10
: be taken in any other way save b,
dredging. Mr. Mann replied, ''Yes, bu
yet Lieutenant Winslow opposed dredg
: Ing save III Tue SUN ner, Wneu Ht utSIic
, to dredge himself for his oyster plants
He said there were no depths of wate
il the sounds that were % feet.
: Mr.. Gale spoke in favor Of the subst
i tute, contending that dredging wa
1 beneficial TO oysters. Mr.. Henry said
II did not believe oysters could be tonge
s in deep water with ordinary tongs, an
that il the rough water they could NJ
IS be SO taken. He therefore favored I'll
u substitute. Mr.. Alexander spoke as
IS member Of the committee in favor Of tt
n bill and in opposition to the substitut
n The people have asked protection fro