The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-23
WHO OWNS POCOMOKE?
THIS rs THE BONE OF CONTENTION.


tees of the Virginia and Maryland legsla-
lures have not yet come to any definite re-
suit, they have nevertheless been satisfac-
tory. When the conference was tempo
rarily adjourned last Tuesday evening every
one present understood the situation thor
ouehly. The Maryland delegation had ex-
planned what they desired to have Virginia
give up, while the Virginia members IN
not less outspoken terms had declared what
they intended to retain.
While it has not been positively stated. it
IS quietly understood on both sides that
Pocomoke sound will remain exclusively
Virginia water. The Maryland people tried
their very best to argue Virginia into the
presumption that Pocomoke sound was
nothing but Pocomoke river with its banks
under water.
Senator Stubs. of Gloucester. refuted
| all claims of Maryland and, / think. made
| one of his best arguments when he demon
| strated from section of the compact OF
| 1855 that the Pocomoke sound belonged to
| Virginia, and that the fishing rightsIclaimed
| in common for both States in the Potomac
river did not also refer TO the Pocomoke.
| He also showed that Virginia bad rights OF
| fishing in the Pocomoke river for distance
| of about mile and half.
|
cred by the subcommittee on the POGO
moke. Of which Senator Thomas CT. Hayes,
| OF Baltimore, is chairman. The sub-com-
mittee will meet at Chrisfeld on August
oath and its Virginia representatives are
hessrs. Echols, Ryan, Mcllwaine, Williams
and Blackstone.
The easiest question TO determine was
whether or not a culling law should BIO
agreed upon by both States in regard to the
| Potomac river. Up TO the present time the
trouble has been that whenever oysters
| of less than two and q half inches in length
have been found in the possession of fish
ermen the latter claimed that thew had
caught them in the Potomac river, although
| they might have been caught In the iulets
| of Virginia or Maryland.
1t IS now the intention to establish q
| common law for both States which makes IL
punishable 10 have such oysters in posses
sion. no matter where they have been
caught 1t shall be the duty Of any oyster
! man who catches such small oysters to
dump them Immediately where they have
been taken from. Both committees agreed
that such legislation would be 10 the ad-
vantage of both States, and a Joint sub
| committee will frame an appropriate law
which is TO fix the time when oysters are
not to be taken, as IS now provided IN tDe
Maryland law. namely from April 2Oth TO
September 18th Another meeting will be
held subject TO the call of Chairman Hayes.
Another important subject IS the regula-
ton of the boundary lines on the south and
north shores of the Potomac river. The
much tslked-Of Black and jenkins award
runs the line on the south shore OF the river.
The Virginia people are perfectly willing TO
let the line run from headand to headland
right across the mouth of the several rivers:
but they want to see the same rule applied
TO both shores The Joint subcommittee
who are TO treat on this subject consist OF
Messrs Blackstone. Little, Washington
Chambers and Cooke on the part Of Viz
GINA, and Messrs. Combs. Miles, Sterling
Sans and wilkinson on.the part Of Mary
land. These committees have already held
one lengthy meeting on board of the Mary
land steamer on last Saturday, when 1t was
| agreed that a subcommittee, consisting OF
Mr.. Chambers for Virginia and Senator
Wilkinson on the part of Maryland, should
define the lines. The two gentlemen went
at once to work and everything
went smoothly as long as the
Virginia shore was under consideration,
but when Maryland was being reached they
struck q snag. Mr.. Chambers wanted to
see the Same rule applied by which Black
stone Island would have been placed out
side of the line and within the Potomac
proper whereby Virginia would have re-
celved fishing rights on either side OF the
Island. To tits the Senator of st. Mary s
would not agree. and the conference came
temporarily TO a stnndstill. The two sub
committees. of whom Mr.. Combs. OF ST.
Marys, is chairman. will soon meet again
20 consider the subject.
The two full committees will again meet
on November 29th at Washington, when
the reports will be received from the
several subcommittee, and, If possible. an
agreement will be reached on the various
subjects.
One of the most exciting incidents in the
whole trip was the race between the steamer
Relief, of the Virginia Pilot Association,
rendered to the Virginia committee by its
president. Captain Oscar f. Edwards, and
the Maryland steamer, Governor 7. L.
Thomas.
Both boats started on Friday last to leave
Old Point together. but for some reason the
Governor Thomas left five minutes before
the Relief The latter. however, soon
caught up aud passed the Maryland boat.
She was ahead when her steering gear
broke, thereby causing delay of ten
minutes. After the damage had been re-
paired the Relief started ahead again, when
the same trouble occurred second time.
causing another delay OF fifteen minutes.
BY that time the Maryland boat was fiye OF
ak miles ahead, but when the repairs had
been made, tho Relief started in hot race
for her companion, and she caught up Sc
well with her that in the evening both boats
anchored within three minutes of each other
of Piney Point.
The next morning on the way 10 Pocomoke
sound the Relief passed the Maryland boat
several times, slackened up TO let the Gov
ernor Thomas 90 ahead aud crossed hei
bow on either side When Pocomokt
sound was reached the Relief, as the
larger boat. anchored awaiting the re-
turn of the Maryland boat. When the Cover
nor Thomas came down on her return trir
where the Relief was anchored she told the
latter to follow her and by that means be-
fore the Relief had her anchor up she wa:
at least six miles ahead. The Virginia boa
not knowing where she was going TO, had (
follow until Chesapeake bay was reached
when it became apparent that she was max
| ing for Old Point. At dark, when the race
for Old Point began III dead earnest. The
Governor Thomas was at least SIX miles
ahead, but much TO the surprise or al
when Old Point was reached. and before
the lines had been passed. the Relief was
there too TO report 10 Speaker CardweiI
In justice TO the Virginia Pilot Association
it must be said that they have the fines
steamer in the world for the purpose anC
cannot be surpassed IN speed.
Weaver and Field Coming to Richmond
General Weaver and General Field. th,
candidates OF the Third party for Presiden
and Vice-P President. will open their cam
pasn in Richmond in September Afte
speaking iii various parts of Virginia the,
will go TO North and South Carolina, Georgi
and Texas.