Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-28
NORTHUMBERLAND.
The Gases of the Potomac FISHER
mcn-politicnl and other Mention.


IIEATHSVILIE VA, March S.-(spe-
clalD-The much-talked-of trap-hshing
eases were as wired you, brought TO Il
trial and disposed OF in a manner most
agreeable To- the Potomac fishermen. The
fishermen last year refused 20 pay me
license imposed by the last General As
s,mbly and were indicted by the 6iahd
Jury. The indictment contained t"'
counts-Onc for fishing without lcchse'
and one Tor fishing in the Potomac du-
ring March, April and May, IN VOCATION
u AN old statute The question OF the
Jurisdiction of Virginia over the POLO
mae river was agitaled by the ushelmeh'
with the result tnat a noue pfosequl was
entered against the first count IN inc
Indictments and the cases committed TO
Justices courts TO be tried ON the old
statute. making IL misdcmcdhor 10 hsh
at all during the three spring months.
The indictments were slow IN being
tried and the Board OF Fisheries au-
thoriZcd the inspectors TO have INSIDE
meanOr warrants issued against Inc thli-
ty-f0ur fishermen who failed TO pay.
These were based on an alleged violation
OF the old statute.
Justices Eichebergcr and Marsh tried
the cases. The Commonwealth was rep
resented by Lloyd r. Smith, and the de-
PENDANTS By Joseph W. Chlnn, Jr. by con-
sent Of parties one warrant was made a
test case. The argument and decision in
these cases proved 20 DO very important,
as IL affects the whole OF the Potomac
Fishing industry. Both lawyers admitted
that had the statute In question remained
unrepealed in both Maryland and Nir-
GINA there could be no question as to
The violation Mr. Chinn, IN his argument,
,ontended that the legislation between
the two States was necessarily, by the
compact. concurrent in It's workings. lie
claimed that the Maryland statute, SINH
lar TO Nirginia's, was repealed two days
after the act Of the Virginia legislature
an he
Code Of Maryland. Hence. ne argued, that
orc state could not alone sustain it, and
give equal rights In the Potomac TO ciu-
zens of both States.
Mr. smith IN mis- exposition of the law,
claimed that II took concurrent legsla-
lion to repeal as well as enact any sta
tute affecting the Potomac privileges, and
cited "A case decided in the Court OF APP
peals i'm 1880. OF thcrcabouts, in which the
force OF this particular statute in Viz
ginia was admitted, though eight years
had elapsed since it's repeal by Mary land
The two justices could not agree. and the
presiding Justice gave by himself the YER
diet of not guilty.
The cases were marked with much feel
ing and interest. which was manifested
by the demonstration when the verdict
was announced. Much prejudice and bitter
feeling prevailed. and the fishermen are
very cxutant over their victory. Mr..
Seth Miller was present, representing the
Board Of Fisheries. He has not yet de-
cided upon future course in the matter.
The fishing season Is open In earnest \
fine catch OF $50 shad was made this week
by j. r. * William Lowry. which is the
largest OF this season.
County politics are very much mixed
up in Northumberland. There are three
candidates for the Democratic nominal
ton for Treasurer; three FOR Commits
sioner OF the Revenue; two for Sheriff.
and two for Commonwealth Attorney,
the latter contestants being the inCum-
bent. Lloyd T. Smith. and Asa ). Rice Il
prominent lawyer Of Hcathsylle The
nominations Will be made April 10Th and
Judging from the active work of the can
didates. the convention viii be a warm
one.
The Mormon elders arc hard AT work
I'm northumberland and. 10 is reported
VIII build a church IN the near future
Farmers in Northumberland are busy
with the early hot-bods.