Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-03-13
STATE HOUSE.
Protection Of Clans Caused
Suffering at Malaga Island.
So Writes Selectman Minott Of
Phipsburg to Governor.
High Insurance Rates Fail to Stop
Incendarism," Says Mr.. Carr.

| -Eatter, which was brought before the
Governor and Council at the last SeS-
sion, Charles V. Minott. Jr. chairman
of the board of selectmen of Phipps-
burg, has written some interesting
II facts to the governor. Mr.. Minott mas
been a selectman in his town for sew
eral years and is as well informed II,
regard to the people of Malaga island
as any man in that section. He was
a member of the House of Representa-
tives, last winter and opposed the
/ passage of the bill to which he refers
| in his letter.
| This act is Chapter asa of the public
laws of 1901, and is entitled IAN act for
! the better protection of shell fish with
| in the towns of West Bath and Bruins
| wick The bill was finally passed in
the closing hours of the session after a
lively and spirited debate. The full
| text of the law follows:
Section /. No shell fish shall be
| taken from any flats within the limits
| of the town of West Bath, in Sagada-
hoe county, nor from that portion of
the town of Brunswick, in Cumber-
land county, lying opposite the said
town of West Bath and extending as
far west as the Gurnet bridge, so call
ed, except by written permit of the
municipal officers of the town wherein
such flats are located, and payment to
the town for the privilege at such
price as said towns may respectively
establish at any town meeting. any ex-
listing law to the contrary notwith-
standing; provided, that without such
permit, any inhabitant within lis own
town, or any person temper arily resi-
dent therein, or the riparian owner of
such flats, may take therefrom for the
immediate use of himself or his family,
not exceeding one bushel at any one
tide.
Sect 2. Any person taking shell
fish contrary to the provisions of this
act, shall be punished for each otfense
by a fine not exceeding ten dollars, or
by Imprisonment not exceeding thirty
days, or by BOTH
In his letter to Governor Hill under
date OF March 10. Mr. Minott says:
tF"At the request of Hon. c. S. Cook,
I went to Malaga island last Friday
afternoon and made arrangements to
furnish such aid to the people living
there, asswe should furnish if it were
settled that the island We're part of
Phippsburg. it being understood that
this would in no way prejudice the in
terests of Phippsburg.
IF you have not already secured the
information and if it would be of SER
vice to you, / should be pleased to re-
port at length on the condition of af-
fairs existing there.
1.-THE Legislature, last winter, passed
a bill, at the instance of Bath people
who have cottages in West Bath, cut
ting off the clam flats which these peo-
nile on Malaga island have always dug
CLAIMS on extensively. l was aware at
| the time that il would prove a hard
| shin to them and went before the COM
mittee on Sea and Shore Fisheries and
so stated and questioned Mr.. Johnson
| (who Is the fish warden) at the time of
| the hearing, when he appeared for the
petitioners as to the probable effect on
| these people of cutting off these flats.
He at that time admitted it would take
away the chance of earning living
and | questioned him as to the number
of barrels they usually shipped, which
| statistics he gave the committee
owing to the position the town had
taken in regard to this island, | could
not take an aggressive position without
admitting that the island was a part of
Phippsburg. Besides l think from my
| experience later with the bill 1t would
have made no difference.
Mr.. F. W. Ridley, who operates
store and fish stand near the island
told me Friday that if these people
had the opportunity now as they have
had in years past of going on these
THAT'S they would need no assistance, as
fresh clam bait is high. bringing forty
cents a bucket
| 1T Is unfortunate that they are thus
Restricted. for work and an opportunity
to earn an honest living is due every
man. and 1t would be much better for
these people to have this chance than
IT will be for them to be supplied either
by the State or the town to which they
belong