Evening journal., 1898-02-01
WAR BETWEEN STATES.
NEW JERSEY AND DELAWARE FISH
ERMAN AT ODDS.


ERMAN AT ODDS.
SHOULD THE DELAWARE FISH
COMMISSIONERS ATTEMPT TO
CARRY OUT THEIR THREAT OF
ARREST, THERE MIGHT BE
BLOODSHED.
Pennsgrove, N. j., Feb. War be-
tween the sovereign States of New Jer-
sey and Delaware is threatened. War
clouds hang low, and unless the chief
executives of the two states come to-
gether in the amicable spirit that
prompted the governor of North Caro-
lima to make an historic remark to the
governor Of South Carolina during an
interstate dispute, the sturdy Delaware
bay fishermen may shed blood. A long
standing dispute over the taking of
sturgeon in Delaware bay is response
BILE for this ominous condition Of af-
fairs.
For years past the fishermen Of Della
ware have protested against the taking
of sturgeon on the west side Of the ship
channel in the Delaware bay by fisher
men outside the state. Arrests have
been made several times for this Of
fense, but nothing serious came OF it,,
the New Jersey authorities taking the
matter into the United States Supreme
Court. Last year the case came up in
the Supreme Courts but as nearly all
the leading parties in the suit had died
since the issue was found, it was not
determined. New complications have
now arisen, which will doubtless lead
to a decision as to the rights of Jersey
men to fish in navigable waters of Del
aware bay, even on the Delaware side
The regular sturgeon fishing season
begins about the tenth of April, and
the early run of sturgeon usually follow
up the western edge of the channel, un-
I'll they come into portion of the bay
known and marked on the charts as
Blake's channel, a narrow slue between
the Flogger shoal and the Delaware
shore, extending from Fourteen Foot
Bank Light to Ship John Light. This is
the fishing ground that is in contention,
and last season one arrest was made.
but for some reason the person was re-
leased.
This season it is the purpose OF the
Delaware authorities to take active
measures to arrest all Jerseymen fish
ing on the forbidden grounds. A few
days ago George ID. Shannon, secretary
of the New Jersey Fishermen's PrOtec-
tive Association was notified by Fish
Commissioner Short, of Delaware, that
all persons found fishing in Delaware
waters would be subject to arrest and
imprisonment and cOnfiscation OF nets
and boats. This threat has repeatedly
been made by Delaware fishermen, but
never before by any person in official
capacity.
Immediately upon the receipt of this
intelligence a meeting of the associa-
ton was called and a committee ap-
pointed to secure counsel. Ex-Judge
John WestcOtt, of Camden, was retain
ed. and he will at Cnce take the matter
in hand The committee will also con-
fer with AttOrney-General Gray and
the governor, and ask them to protect
the Jersey fishermen's interests.
Should the State Fish Commissioners
of Delaware attempt to carry out their
threats, the Jersey fishermen, who
number upward Of 1000 men, would
net tamely submit to arrest, and
there would be lively times in the bay.
In 1885 several Jersey fishermen
we're arrested for fishing on the Della
ware side of the channel, but were sub
/ sequentsy released on demand Of Gov
| ernor Albeit. During the same year
an agreement was reached between the
| governors Of both states that the citi-
zens of either state should enjoy the
right to take running fish anywhere in
the Delaware bay and river, above a
line crossing the bay from COhansey
Light, on the JERSEY shore, TO Bom-
bay Hook Point on the Delaware side
Since then the fishermen have found
It necessary to go below this line into
salt water in order to get the female
or roe sturgeon, the eggs OF which
make a much finer grade of caviar than
those obtained in fresh water
This opens the question again as to
territorial limits. In the report of At
torney-General John P. Stockton. in
August, 1885, he expresses the opinion
Whether any state has the right tC
claim the exclusive privilege Of taking
running fish in the great navigabls
rivers, bays and seas within the fauces
terrae, is a question of great doubt and
/ delieaey"