Evening journal., 1893-02-24
LAWMAKERS ON FISH.
The Preservation or Destruc-
tion Of an Industry Debated.
A LIVELY TINE IN THE HOUSE.

the Protests of Lewes Delegation
Against the Proposed Law Prohibit
ing Oil Manufacture.
STAFF Correspondence Evening Journal.
DOVER, Feb. 24.-The Committee on
Fish, Oysters and Game had a serious
time in the committee rooms In the third
story of the capitol yesterday afternoon.
J. d. Truxton, George E Vickers, Charles
H. Martin, William H. Virden, p. B
Norman. Jr. Thomas Johnson Il. W.
Long, Edward Tracey, + G. Maui aud
other Lewes patriots came here to pro-
test against the law which will prohibit the
manufacture Of fish oil and fish fertilizers
in Delaware and the catching of fish in
Delaware waters for those purposes Of
manufacture.
The hearing was long one and char
acterized with much eloquence. The
Lewes men said that the catching OF
menhadden did not tend to destroy food
fish, but that. on the contrary, the fish
ermen do not catch enough food fish for
their own consumption, being compelled
to purchase them from the regular fish
ermen of the town. On the other hand,
they claim that the passage of the act
would drive out growing industry
which brings money to the town by EN-.
ploying a large number of workmeu.
The farmers are also opposed 20 il be-
cause they get cheap fertilizer in shape
of fish ''scrap," as the refuse from the
oil pots is called.
William NJ jefferson, one of the dele
cation said:
"Mr Beebe. in one of bis letters, tried
to show the people that the nets used
by these menhsdden fishermen were
more than mile long. They have never
had net yet that exceeded 150 fathoms
BY driving these fish factories of Of our
beach we won't get rid of the fishermen.
If they are driven away they will locate
In New Jersey and come back and fish In
our own waters as they always have
done. Thus you see New Jersey will re
ceive the benefit Last year there were
twenty one boats in the bay fishing. Out
of this number there were four of ours
Our boats were seized and had to give
bond for their appearance at court The
question was asked why they did not
seize the New Jersey and Virginia toats.
The answer was that they could not get
hold of them think it would be better
to have boats Of our own do the fishing
than those of other states
There has been a rumor around the
State House for several days that poll
Tics was involved in the fight against the
bill now before the House IL was said
that the opponents of the bill were Re
publicans That the fish houses CAV,
employ ymeut to many negroes, and thai
II the manufacture of oil was abolished
the negroes wOuld have TO follow the ia
dustry 20 some other stale. This rumoi
was referred TO to-day at the hearing
The Lewesiies said that they represented
all parties and that those in favor Of tn,
bill aud those opposed TO IL were about
equally divided, aud that politics had nc
place In the controversy
The committee did not make any dis
position Of the matter.
stole a march on Them.
Senator Records, chairman of the SEN
ate divorce commit tee, inadvertently
stole march on Senators Williams
Watson, Pilling and McMullin yesterday
morning.
Senators Watson and Williams were
searching the Revised Code to ascertain
the application of some bill; Senate
Pilling was reading and Senator McMui
lin, who is little deaf, evidently did not
hear what was going on.
Senator Records arose and said:
"Mr. Speaker-The committee on di
vorce reports favorably upon the House
bill to divorce Amanda NJ. and Allan H
Cole l move that the bill be taken NJ
by sections with the view Of passing
the Senate
The page got the bill and carried it tC
the clerk II was read After the It'll,
had been read Speaker Houston said.
"Senators-This bill has received ia
three several readings II is now befor'
this Senate for final passage. AS many
as favor the passage of the bill viii
answer Aye those opposed, nay
There were several ayes and not a nay
The speaker smiled.
Senators, 1 declare the bill passed
by the unanimous vote of the Senate
"What is thatl" asked Senator vii
liams, his keen gray eyes wandering
from the Revised Code TO the face Of tn
speaker
81 ssy that the bill has passed tn
Senate, replied the speaker.
what bill was it2' asked the Duel
Creek hundred member.
"a divorce bill.
Both sides began to smile IN minute
SHARP practice" said Senator VIII
liams, laughingly.
Here we are trying to legislate 70
the State of Delaware, said Senate
Watson, "and you are passing 4 bill o
that kind If had known it l woul
have voted against it,
It was too late. Senator William
suggested that, as Senator Pilling ha
not voted at all he could move reconsid
Grafton. The Newark member did NO
see fit to make such motion, KNOWN
it would not carry, and to day there /
no tie between the absent and PlatOni
Allan and his much abused wife.
Before night the bill was returned
the House, enrolled, went through bot
committees on enrolment, reported /
both houses and sent to the Office Of th
secretary Of state.
That increase" Provision.
Senator Williams will to-day introdu,
a bill to amend Chapter 1, Volume Il
Laws of Delaware. The section is {
follows:
THAT the secretary Of state is hereb
authorized and directed to demand an