Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-19
A STIR AT COBB'S
OVER THE ATTEMPTED ENFORCE
MExr OF GAME-LAws.
abr.e Young Gentlemen Arrested
The Authority Under which the
ao,to. Wa. Tnken-Thc Islanders
Excited and indignant.

COBRS ISLAND, August lo.-NSpeSio"l
Quite en- excitement has been created on
the island by an attempt to en-
force the game laws Of Virginia
for Northampton and Accomac counties.
under which warrants were issued
for the arrest of three young gentlemen
from Knoxville. Tenn.-Messrs. Alfred f.
Sanford, II. w. Sanford, and II. NJ. Nc
Keidin. The Sheriff OF Northampton,
upon information. came 10 the island
with the warrants and left with the
young men. who were just starting home.
A compromise was effected between the
island and the mainland. In which the
young gentlemen made payment under
protest and proceeded upon their way
home.
I; seems that the Legislature Of Vir-
ginia has given very broad powers 10 the
Eastern Shore Game Protective Associa-
ton OF Virginia This association was
formed with a view OF procuring and
securing the enforcement Of a wise and
1udicious system Of laws for the preserva-
ton OF the game OF this shore-restock-
ing as far as the means Of the associa-
tion will permit such portions OF the
shore as are depleted OF game, orerlng
rewards for game destroying animals
etc. The Legislature March 5, 1884, passed
a bin Incorporating the association ana
another act OF that date. entitled an act
ITO protect wild water fowl and other
game In the counties or Accomac ana
Northampton" The second section OF
this latter act provides that II shall be
unlawful for any nonresident 10 shoot
at. catch, or kill any wild fowl In any
waters or on any marshes or beaches
within the jurisdiction of the said coun-
ties of Accomac or Northampton. This
section shall not apply 10 such non-resi-
dents as are members of the Eastern
Shore Game Protective Association ana
subject TO the bylaws OF said associa-
ton. The penalty for offence Is SlV0
one half going to tho informer, and con-
fnement In Jail until fine IS paid, not TO
exceed sixty days.
ORIGINAL INTENT.
The constitution Of the association in
1894 provided for an initiation fee OF 81
and annual dues Of 81. AS a rule. this
has been cheerfully paid by sportsmen.
residents OF the State of Virginia. as
well as non-residents. 1t would seem
that the original intention of this law
was directed to the stopping Of the
ruinous night shooting by which ducks
geese.
great numbers by huge guns, but driven
out 10 sea and prevented from coming
10 our shores. AS understand II. it was
not contemplated that this act should
apply TO summer and spring snipe-shoot-
ing The law, however. empowers the
association 10 deal with non-residents
as they may seem fit. and last year the
initiation fee was raised TO g and the
yearly dues 10 s.. thus making sum of
-. -. Rofr we CfHAnf
this island could indulge in the already
expensive sport OF shooting few sea
side snipe. Mr.. Thomas Il. Smith,
member OF the Executive COMMITTEES or
the association, Is also a member OF the
life-saving crew OF Cobbs Island. He
has been very active in soliciting dues
from non-residents. but there has not
been cooperation with him on the
part OF the boatmen here who act as
guides. Their charge Of 81 for one and
50 for two for cunning one tide they
consider a sufficiently expensive luxury
knowing fun well that casual visitor
who Is not well TODD sportsman, would
never think OF engaging them when IS
fees are TO be added to the days sport
NO NOTICES.
No notices have been posted hereabout,
and when. after indulglng IN a days
shooting with the small fight Of birds
we have had this summer, a gentleman
has been required to pay IS and become
q member of the Eastern Shore Game
Protective Association Of Virginia, he
has, as a rule, kicked, and kicked hard.
Most OF the visitors this sumner have
refused TO pay what they considered an
unjust tax. and they have paid no
penalty. 30 that the informing upon and
swearing out Of the warrants for the ar
rest OF the three young men from Knox
vile. Tenn, Is looked upon by the
islanders generally as a mean persecu-
ton, and they are thoroughly aroused
and Indignant. The animus which
brought about the proposed arrests. /
am convinced upon interviewing the
parties concerned, was the intimation by
guides and proprietors that this tax,
which they did not understand, was being
collected by Smith and others and APP
propriated 10 their own uses. This, the
latter so resented, that they determined TO
make a test case and show that they
were acting under the law. 1t is, how
ever. rather unfortunate that they
should have been so lax in the per-
Torrance Of a duty for months. and sud
denly visited their wrath, TO the incon-
venience OF visitors 10 Virginia in the
persons OF these three young men from
AHOAfllc.
MUCH EXERCISED.
Under the law, the association has
ample powers TO stop a recurrence of
this paltTy business. Visitors TO such a
summer resort bring far more money into
the county OF Northampton in a summer
than would be the product OF Ill the
snipe which could be killed in a season.
1t is very serious question whether OF
not the imposition Of this tax upon non
residents is constitutional. The proprie-
tors of the hotel. and residents of the
island are naturally very much exercised
over II, and n the managers Of the asso-
citation are not broader in their conduct
OF the business. in which they are en-
gagged. II will not be long before the
Legislature will repeal the law under
which they are working.
The compromise effected was the pay
ment by the Messrs Sanford and Nc
Keldin OF the IS dues and 81 costs EACH
making an aggregate OF $50.