The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-08-01
Telephone No. Sc.
coNcuRRpNr JuR1sprcrEoN.

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer discuss
Ing the decision on the Jurisdiction ques'
lion says:
ut does not follow, however. that there
can be no such thing as the exercise OF
concurrent jurisdiction by the two states
q over the waters Of the Columbia and II
is certain and in proper way and for
certain purposes such concurrent juris-
dIction would be an eminently proper
rirhing Particularly would this be true OF
the regulation of the salmon fishery, the
very point over which this controversy
arose This concurrent jurisdiction can,
however only be In pursuance Of an
arrangement, q compact or treaty, let
us say, between the authorities Of the
two states. legislation based on IDENTICAL
ly the same Zines by the law making pow
ers of the two states. 1t may be inter-
esting to note here that the Washington
legislature has heretofore made over
tures to the Oregon legislature with a
view to having the legislation Of both
states on the subject OF the fisheries
regulations brought into exact harmony,
but the Oregon legislature declined to
Z take any action In the matter"
The Potomac river forms one boundary
between Maryland and Virginia. The
fisheries of the Potomac are extensive
and valuable. For many years precisely
the same difficulty as now exists ON the
Columbia river existed on the Potomac.
The laws OF the two states regulating
fisheries differed, and each state being
absolutely supreme within dts own bor-
ders II was an easy matter for fisher
men to evade arrest for violating the law
OF either state by simply crossing the
imaginary boundary line In the center OF
the channel, and the law officers were
power9ess to follow them. II the fish,
cries there were to he preserved and
regulated. concurrent action became
necessary. and It was had by compact
entered into between the two states made
In performance OF legislation directed
to that end and ratified by subsequent
legislation.
Where experience was shown the neces-
sky of revising and amending the laws,
the compact has been revised and the
legislation necessary agreed to In ad-
vance, and the states have kept faith
with each other. There have been several
times within comparatively recent perl
DDS when the governors of Maryland and
Virginia have met at Washington City for
the purpose OF effectlng amendments to
the original compact to be followed, Of
SVuA ~ " NhS hoSOooaty ueBblHtlNe dC@
tion.
This. It would seem to us, affords a
good and fair precedent to follow In the
matter OF regulating the fisheries of the
Columbia. The two states have a common
interest In the preservation of the salmon
fisheries. They are exactly of the same
importance to one state as to the other.
The only difference which can exist on
the subject are as to mere matters of de-
tail. which can he settled by mutual con-
cessions. There are no good reasons why
the subject should be left open to create
constant friction between the rival
fishermen of the two states. and Il is to
behoped that at the next session of the
Washington legislature an effort will be
made to enter into compact with Ore
gon for concurrent system of regula,
tons Tor the Columbia river fisheries and
for concurrent Jurisdiction in the law
officers OF each state for the enforcement
Of such regulations.
In view OF the recent decision on the
subject. tho Oregon legislature will prob
ably be willing to enter into such
compact. although that body declined the
overtures in that direction at one time,
Thus the whole question may be satis-
factorily adjusted without any injury to
the sensitive state pride of the citizens Of
e!tner Of the two governments.