The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1903-11-28
Mississippi State News
po;ntinq out the Boundary.


secretary of State Power has
ur:tten a letter to Avon Haake, to-
roerapher of the postoffice depart
I"s,t pss # Washington, giving him the
sontbern s boundary line of the State
Il Mississippi as claimed by the
State in the boundary dispute now
asnding in the United States Su-
rrsme Court between the States of
Mississippi and Louisiana. The let
tar Of Mr.. Haake to Secretary of
State Power, on its face, has moth
;no TO do with the boundary dispute,
Mr.. Haake giving as his reason for
asking the correct boundary that he
desires 10 correctly represent Mis-
sissippi in the new postal route map
II the State now being prepared.
Nevertheless, Mr.. Power, thinking
that his reply might in some way af-
feet the boundary question, has very
carefully Investigated the matter
and prepared his reply after a con-
mltation with Acknowledgement
Williams. who, with ex-Attorney-
| General Monroe McClurg, are rep
rpenting the State of Mississippi
in the United States Court in the
boundary dispute.
This boundary question is one of
very vital Importance to the people
Of the Mississippi coast adjacent to
the disputed waters, as it involves
some of the finest oyster beds on the
coast line. For years there has been
a conflict between the fishermen of
the respective States and contest
over. the disputed line. Efforts to
get at a satisfactory solution by a
commission have failed, and Louis
lana filed bill in the United States
Court to have the line finally adju-
dicated and determined.
The boundary case will probably
take about two years to decide. AT
ter the two States have set forth
clearly their respective contentious
the court will appoint boundary
commission to take testimony and
report to the court, when a final ad-
judication will be made.
Mr.. Powers letter to Mr. Haake
follows:
Sir:-Replying to your inquiry oi
October 19, asking for information as
to the southern boundary of the State
OF Mississippi, especially with refer
ence to the Petit Bois island and the
Louisiana shore. | beg to say that b,
the act of congress of December 10
1917, admitting the State into the
Union, the southern boundary extends
from the most eastern mouth of Pear
river into Lake Porgne to the Ala
bama line, ten miles east of the mouth
OF the Pascagoula river, and includes
all islands within six leagues of ths
shore; or, the water line is six league.
on the shore line at every point be
tween the rivers above mentioned.
The true line between Mississippi
and Louisiana, we think, is at the higl
tide mark on the eastern shore of Lou
isiana, the Mississippi sound" begin
ming there and extending eastward
the water frontage given the Gul
Coast States being to the Southwark
or seaward, from each State respec
| lively.
have indicated the six-league wa
ter limit from the Mississippi shor,
and the Louisiana shore by pen line OF
,he map as represented, not attemptin,
70 follow any scale or to be accurate il
measurements, but just to sugges
about where 1t is.
trusting that this may be of som,
service to you, have the honor to be
Very respectfully yours.
JOSEPH w. POWER.
Secretary of State