The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-02-03

Of Rhode Island by King Charles IL, In
1868 certain specified rights and priv
ileges were granted the Individual oiti-
zen.
This charter remained in full power
and forco until superseded by our pres
snt Constitution In isi2 Among the
other rights named In the charter was
one stating that the residents "shail
have full and free power ana liberty 10
continue and use the trade Of fishing
upon the said coast. in any of the sens
thefeunto adjoining. or any arm OF the
seas, or salt water rivers and creeks,
where they have been accustomed TO
FISH.
The trainers OF the Constitution deemed
ii necessary to forever protect these
rights, and therefore article I, section IL,
says; "The people shall continue to en-
JOY and freely exercise all the rights of
fishery and the privileges of the shore 10
which they have been heretofore entitled
under the charter and usages OF this
state. But no new right is intended to
be granted nor any existing right i'm
paired by this declaration" Under these
provisions two rights have ty precedence
and long usage been secured, first. the
undisputed right to dig CLAIMS on any
coast of the sea. or arms thereof, on salt
water rivers or creeks, and second. the
right OF passing over any private land
adjoining said shores TO accomplish the
purpose aforesaid.
The privilege was evidently intended
for the benefit Of the families in the col
ony and stnte to furnish Them with food,
that our Rhode Island clam is rapidly
disappearing some thing ought TO come to
rescue. II the actual wording OF the Con-
stitution can be literally adhered TO. the
means for their preservation IL easily
found. That says: "But no new right
is intended TO be granted" 7" What. then,
was granted? Simply the right that in
dividuals or families might procure them
for fo1d Now host Of mon are obtained
giving their entire time, digging at all
proper tides and securing every clam In
sight, not for our individuals and fami-
lies but for the thousands aud thousands
who come from far after our clans well
brewing that their equals 40 not any.
where exist.
Another new right" is also In Introduced,
and against which we here record our
solemn protests, and that is the present
barbarous, wicked mode OF digging CLANS.
The spade or heavy shovel, Is now gon-
orally used because IL turns up so much
more dirt and brings to the surface many
more CLANS. but every inclsIon Of that
spade, or shovel, into the dirt, inevitably
brushes aud utterly ruins large mum Der
of clans
1t is maintained by some that the more
the clam grounds sre dug over the more
rapidly will they grow. That is true to
a limited extent, but when the small ones
are used up, whore is the new seed to
come froms
The question then arises, dots the clam
need protection? Let the answer come
from those who attended clam bakes the
past season. and they Will invariably re-
ply. that in almost every instance they
were served with clans so small In size
that they did not have the requisite time
to make a meal and tho persons serving
the bake would inform you that IL you
want native clans you must have small
ones, or none. The idea OF imposing Cape
Cod CLANS may do TO try on strangers,
own people. who well know what Is what.
We ask then protection for the clam.
either construction OF our State Consti-
tuition specifying power to prevent their
waste, legislation. or by general consent
to give the clans one season Of rest.
Our state has ever been famous for cor-
tain products, Providence River Oysters,
Il. ]. Turkeys, II. |. Sweet Corn, Il. /.
CLANS and X L. Grvenings and while
1t Is true that the latter, owing to the
absence of some element in the soil or n
change in our climate. has lost it's flavor
ard keeping qualities, IL is more our
bounden duty TO SEE that the reputation of
the others is carefully guarded, and for
ever preserved and protected.
great many citizens young and old,
will mourn tho passinc OF Elisha "A. Rock