Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-03-04
Protecting the Bass.

any time other than by means Of a
hook and line or a dip net. The use
of the trot or outline, by which the
fish supply in the upper Potomac has
been almost decimated in the past,
will be also illegal hereafter. The
penalty of breaking any Of these reg
ulations will be Imprisonment for not
more than six months or fine not ex-
ceeding 5000, or both fine and impris-
onment. This applaudable result IS
due to the recently organized District
of Columbia Game and Fish Protec-
tive Association, of which Commander
Robley D. Evans of the navy is presi-
dent, and whose membership comprises
the leading gentlemen sportsmen IN
Washington as well as in the surround
ing States.
When the association was formed
the States of Virginia and Maryland
had already passed laws containing the
provisions enumerated in the opening
lines of this article. To become op-
erative, however, it was necessary for
West Virginia to adopt the same law.
The executive committee of the To-
cal association, which consists of tt-
teen well-known sportsmen, took i'm
mediate steps to secure the requisite
action by the legislature of West Vir-
ginia, and delegated Dr. Geo. W. Mas
samore, a member Of the association,
the chief deputy game warden OF
Maryland, and the secretary and treas
urer Of the Maryland State Game and
Fish Protective Association, to proceed
to Charleston and urge the passage OF
the bill. DR.. Massamore was courte-
ously provided with strong letters to
members of the West Virginia Legis-
lature by Senators Elkins, Faulkner,
German and other influential gentle
men. and when he reached the West
Virginia capital he found the bill
sleeping in a senate committee. lie
was received with pleasant welcome
by the legislators, and out of courtesy
to him the bill was taken up out Of
its regular order and quickly passed
through both houses. DR.. Massamore
had an interview with Gov. McCorkle,
who is an ardent sportsman, and it IS
regarded as certain that he will sign
the bill.
The effects Of this measure cannot
be overestimated. 1t will mean the
placing around the bass and all yarie-
ties of game fish, which are also emu
merated in the prohibitive clauses Of
the bill, of perfect protection from the
forays of pot-fshers, which have been
50 constant in the past, and will es-
pecially protect them during the
spawning season, from April 10 to
June l. Mr.. George L. Nicolson, the
manager of the Chesapeake and Ohio
canal, who is a Jealous sportsman and
always eager to help anything that
will seek to promote sport in Its proper
sense, will have all the canal walkers
Of the system under his control ap-
pointed deputy game wardens at
very early date, and, as these wide
awake, alert men virtually patrol the
Potomac from Washington to Its
source, the persons who have hereto
fore kept up predatory warfare on the
game fish in its waters will be com
PEELED to give up their business. Here
tofore it has been impossible for the
State authorities Of Maryland and
Virginia and West Virginia to stop
the lawbreakers in the river, because
when approached by the officers OF
one State they would seek the shore
of the State opposite and eyade arrest.
Under the new law, however, they
will have no chance to continue this
system.
Immediate steps will now be taken
to have Congress pass law similar to
the one described, extending the pro-
lection from Little Falls, where the
District begins, TO the east line Of the
District, below Alexandra.
The following is the full text Of the
bill passed by the West Virginia Leg
islature:
Whereas, difficulty has arisen in
the adoption of adequate legislation
regulating the taking of fish in the
Potomac river. in consequence OF the
compact existing between the State Of
Maryland and Virginia, applicable to
the taking of fish in the Potomac and
Pocomoke rivers, and
Whereas, it is intended that the
provisions of act shall be made effect
i've by the States of Virginia, West
Virginia and Maryland, and
Whereas. the provisions Of this bill