Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1904-01-23
Communicated.
Snow Hill, Md, Jan. IL

Snow Hill, Md, Jan. IL, 1908
EDITORS MEssENGER:-I would like to
ask the readers of your valuable paper
if some of them can not suggest some
remedy by which to stop the wholesale
slaughter of our diamond back ter
rapin" from the waters of the Synepux
ent bay. 1t is only matter of very
short time. when our terrapins will be q
thing of the past. aud why? We have a
law which plainly tells as that it is un-
lawful to catch, take. or to have in
possession any diamond back terrapin
under four inches ON bottom shell. and
fine of $25. 90 for each offence. (Acts.
94.Chap. 424. Sec. /, and / bid Sec. 81
This should be sufficient, but it does not
seem to be. and why is it so? Something
is wrong with some of our citizens along
our water front. for no one knows better
than our oystermen and fishermen, why
our terrapins are gradually being swept
away Every day they see them being
caught. which do not measure four
inches ON the bottom shell. and they are
sold right under their very eyes. Not
only do they look upon this disgraceful
slaughter among our own people. but
they even allow the fishermen from
Virginia to rake and scrape the creeks
and coves right by their very homes.
Now the question is. Are these people
taking a nap. and intend to rake up
when the terrapin has gone entirely,
and stretch their arms aud gap, and
finally realize it is time to stop this
violation of our laws-"lock the door af-
ter the horse has gomez" 1t is only a
question of very short time before this
delicacy will be entirely swept away. If
our oystermen aud fishermen. our farm
ers, ETC., who live right on the bay
shore will turn their attention just a
little and watch this for a while. and
when they find anybody violating the
terrapin law. report such cases to the
proper officers. aud its their duty to
have such reports investigated. no
matter who the violators are, an example
of this character in one or two cases
will call halt in these disgraceful do
ings II is disgraceful for our own peo-
pie to allow boats from Virginia to come
in our waters aud do as they please.
This can be stopped. and il one man can
not do it. let him get enough to help
him. You are at liberty to seize the
boats, nets aud all tackle. and have the
owners held for action of the Grand
Jury. Let our people go to Virginia
and try such a game down there. and
see how hot they make it for them.
Why have not our people the same
amount of pluck and citizenship? If
this matter is looked into by our bay
friends, it will be only matter of few
years before we will have this delicacy
again as it was some ten or fifteen years
ago. Let each citizen give little of
his time looking into this nov serious
matter, and make just few examples
of these rioiators. and it will soon be
stopped. Unless something is done
and more interest taken in this matter
our fishermen s revenue from the sale Of
the salt water terrapin from Synepuxent
bay will be a thing of the past. Posses
sion is all that is necessary. it's viola.
tioD-and if our fishermen will do their
duty as citizens. they will soon get some
of these rioidtors. Very Truly,
CHARLES L. BoEHM.