Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-13
THE FISHERIES DISPUTE
Between Maryland and virginia-CommiD,
tees to Cover the Ground.


The joint committees appointed by the last
legislatures OF Maryland and Virginia 10 meet
during the recess Of the respective legislatures
and consider the fishery rights Of the two states
in the Pocomoke sound will begin their work
on Friday Of this week, says the Baltimore
american. Tomorrow morning the Maryland
committee will meet at 8 o'clock at the state
tobacco wharf, foot of Frederick street, Balti-
more, and there take the state oyster police
boat Governor Thomas, Capt. Howard. and
that night join the Virginia committee at Old
Point Comfort. On Friday the two commit
tees will start on their work. The governors Of
both states will probably accompany the COM
mittees. though the governor Of Maryland will
not join them for two or three days.
The history of the appointment OF these COM
mites has been given in the American. AZ
the last session Of the legislature the troubles
over Pocomoke sound were fully aired. Mary
land. by previous treaty and the right of long
usage, claims an equal right with Virginia OF
fishing in Pocomoke sound, though the waters
lie wholly within Virginia. The state claims
this both under the award OF 17s5 and later
under the award or decision OF the famous
Jenkins-Black investigation. This gave equal
rights 90 both states in the waters Of the Poto-
mac and Pocomoke rivers, and il is claimed the
Pocomoke sound is really the Pocomoke river.
This claim is the more justihable because the
moke sound.
In consequence Of the difference Of opinion
in regard TO this matter there have been
eral disputes some of them serious. between
the states. and the legislatures recognized the
necessity for a new award. Ii Was hoped that
this might be settled during the Legislative ses-
sion. but it was found impracticable, and the
respective legislatures appointed the commit
tees, with full powers OF arranging a treaty OF
award during the recess. IL Is the opinion OF
] n. Il
days 10 go over the grounds. fully consider the
matter and points in controversy and arrive at
q Just and equitable agreement. The respective
committees will visit the sound and river, the
Maryland committee in the steamer Gov.
Thomas. which has been set apart for their use.
and the Virginia committee in the Virginia
pilot boat Relief. which has been rendered them
by the Pilots Association.
After inspecting these waters the committees
will then inspect the oyster grounds Of the
Potomac as far up as Alexandria. and then the
two committees will return either TO Old Point
or Cobbs Island, TO go at once into conference.
The committees are constituted rs follows:
Maryland-Hon. Thomas G. Hayes, chair.
man; Levin L. Waters and Washington Wilkin-
son. on the part of the senate. and Conway W.
Sans Robert c. Combs. James E. Elegood,
Alonzo L. Miles and Noah c. Sterling, on the
part Of the house.
| By order OF the senate, the sergeant-st-arms
of the senate. Mr.. II. " Raisin Of Kent county,
accompanies the joint committee. Gov. Brown
is expected TO Join the committee somewhere In
the waters of the Pocomcke or Potomac.
Observation-Disclosures Governor Tyler and
Messrs. Edward Echols, James n. Stubs, Rob
ert J. Washington, VIM A Little. jr-, and J.w.
G. Blackstone. on the part Of the senate, and
Speaker II. H. Cardwell. j. Catlett Gibson, John
F. Ryan. Benjamin Chambers, VIM. b. Nell
waine, John jackson, Merritt 7. Cooke, B. o.
James and Southey s. wilkins. Speaker Card
well is chairman of the Virginia committee
At the preliminary meeting between Senator
veil on June 20. st Washington, all the nscss-
ary arrangements were made for the meeting
| of the committees.