The Penn's Grove record., 1904-01-15
shad Fishermen Meet.

Mr.. EDIToR:-I think the time has
come. that the fishermen of South Jersey
have been aroused to a sense of their du-
ty by uniting their forces with the Slad
Fishermens Protective Association. This
was closely demonstrated last Saturday
night by the large number of fishermen
of Pennsville who met in knights of
Pythias hall ct that place to r~eorganiZe
their branch of the Shad F. P. Associa-
tion. Five of the officers of the Supreme
lodge at PENIS Grove went to Pennsville
and assisted in ~reorganizing their branch.
After discussing several questions of in
terest the following officers were elected:
President, j. HI. Wright; Vice President,
Harry Ireland; Secretary, George Prin-
sen; Treasurer, William Saunders; Guard,
Edward Steelman; Executive Committee,
E. L. Ireland, William Hannah, Firman
Carpenter, Henry Stanley, Charles Riley.
When the invitation was given to join
many of those sturdy fishermen was quick
to respond by putting their names down
as members. No doubt many more will
join in the near future. Aud in addition
to these, quite a number have been men,
bers there for many years. This will
make the Association at Pennsville a
strong one. They cooperating with us,
and the Bridgeport branch doing the
Protective Association a power for good
to the fishermen of South Jersey. Thus
by uniting our forces we can WELD a
much greater influence in overcoming
many things which are detrimental to
the fishing industry of South Jersey.
Pennsville is one of the most important
locations for shad fishingin South Jersey.
A large number of nets are fitted out
| there, giving employment to a large num-
! Der of men which brings into the town
tens of thousands OF dollars in the spring
of the year. The towns along the Della
ware River Of South Jersey with the ex-
ton of Duponts Powder Works. have
but few, if any factories and foundries,
which gives employment to working
men. Hence a large number of laboring
men of South Jersey are depending large
ly on the fishing business for their living.
Therefore, when Our State enacts any
laws that strikes at the life of the fishing
industry we feel that these burdens which
are laid upon US by bad laws are too
heavy to be born. We protest against
them and demand their repeal. We also
demand that our law makers shall give
us just and equitable laws that will pro-
tect us in our rights. What a trayesty in
Justice.
Think of it that an old fishermen must
write to some man in the upper part Of
the State for a permit to know whether
he a go fishing or not. This same mar
has the title of Fish Commissioner. He
can withhold or grant a permit, just az
he gees proper. Why don't our State ap'
point a Fish Commissioner of South Jer.
sey who could represent our interest be-
fore that august body of Fish Commits
sioners in the upper part OF the State.
Our organization at Penn's Grove is in
a fo~urishing condition, new members
joining us every week. Lots of enthur
siasm manifested in the part of the mem
bers.
/ wish to say to the fishermen who
have not joined our Association yet, yor
are missing the benefits of the same you
had better come in soon and not stay out
in the cold any longer. They are joining
us from all directions. One man Joined
here who lives within three miles of Sa,
lem. Nearly all the Bridgeport fisher
men have joined the branch at thai
place. We meet every Saturday nightir
the Republican club room at Z o'clock.
e. S. HARRIS, Pres.