Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-01-16

caught We're S47,364, the value of the
catch being $22,672.
SHAD.
This fishery is confined to Lincoln,
| Sagadahoc and Cumberland counties.
| The sea shad have been caught the
past year TO the extent of LISP 400
| pounds at value Of $23,720
In table of the values of the yes
sells. boats and apparatus used in the
hshing Industries Of the State, showing
the total capital invested in the bust
ness by class according to the fishery,
1t rs found .rhe amount is $685. 14
This includes the factories.
Commissioner Nickerson says the in
spection laws are not such as are
needed. He gives complete list OF hS.
warlens. with whom ane finds no fauit,
only he asks that the citizens of the
State give them more assistance.
Commissioner Nickerson has one very
important section which he terms
Reciprocity" and being brief, is given
herewith:
las a very important question. af-
fecting vitality, l think, the fisheries
of our State, is that which is proposed
and urged by our provincial neighbors:
limited reciprocity between the Cana
dian provinces on the one hand, in the
matter of fish privileges, and our new
West Indian possessions, especially the
island of Porto Rico: on the other
hand in the matter Of fish markets.
The proposition Of the Merchants
Association of Halifax. Nova Scotia.
and other provincial cities is this:
They propose to give the fishermen Of
the United States the privilege of fish
ing within their wellknown and we'll
advertised "three-mle limit" in return
for the right to be granted by the Uni
ted States to the provincial merchants.
to export fish to the island of Porto
Rico free of duty.
Il do not believe that there is within
this three mile limit. anything of value
to the fishermen of Maine or New Eng
land. When l say that the privilege is
not worth the buying, l voice the unan-
imous sentiment CT the fishery interests
of Maine and New England.
"On the other hand it is understood
and agreed that the Porto Rican mar
ket is a good one, by all conversant
with the West Indian trade. The prop
osition of the provincials is altogether
one-sided. Our friends do not offer an
equivalent. They would give to the
United States assumed privileges which
would turn out of but little or no value
and what the fishermen do not want.
for what We know to DE (for some
kinds of fish very good market in
deed
Il believe that the advantage to the
merchants in the purchase of supplies
and stores of all kinds, for our vessels
which would frequent provincial ports
if the waters We're free to them, pro-
viding that fish was there to induce the
vessels to take the long trip to make
the trial. would more than equal in
profit to the merchants. the advantage
accruing to the vessels for the use of
the inshOre fishing grounds.
The fishing interests have been very
much depressed for a number Of years;
no single industry has suffered more
during our late hard times. If there
is to be a change it would seem that
it must be for the better, and with the
opening of additional markets for fish
in the West Indies, and the advantage
of general good times. there is hope
for brighter things in the future of the
fisheries of Maine.
The confidence of the future as ex-
pressed among the fishermen is such.
that already there is talk of a larger
fleet of vessels with which to do the in
creased business that Is expected to
come to them.
To the honorable commissioners of
of the United States. to the Anglo
American commissioners, of which
Congressman Nelson Dingley is dis
tinguished member. charged with the
adjustment Of the question as between
the two governments, and to whom this
proposition Is addressed, our fisher
men appeal with confidence, that no
bargain such as Is proposed. with the
depleted and always over-valued fish
cries claimed to be within the three
mile limit as consideration. will be
sanctioned. whereby we shall lose the
Porto Rico and Cuban markets for our
fish or have to compete there with free
foreign fish.
Our legislators have at heart the In
terest of the fisheries as one OF the
most important industries In the State
and I earnestly hope that this interest
will be shown in some effective way,
possibly in the form of a memorial or
address. expressing in unmistakable
language the opposition of the people
Of our State to open markets In Porto
Rico and Cuba for foreign fish,
The snow of Friday night proved to
be only an aggravation. 1t began fall