The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-01

/ wear the catch was only 5000. 900
pounds. A small part of the people
of Dare county does not represent the
entire interests, and he could not agree
| that the small county Of Dare should
! control the law. and ruin the whole
fishing industry When the many
come into contact with the few, the
| few are always VanquiShcd, and
| Chowan, Martin, Beaufort, Perqul-
mans and other counties are asking
| that this bill be PASSED. It would be
n great misfortune if this substitute
is adopted. and the ehad industry of
| North Carolina would be greatly re-
| tarded if the original bill should not
| be passed. If the present conditions
are continued there VIII be nut iii
| end to the shad fishing interests in
this State. Barring Mr.. Stubbs and
| Dare county, all the other counties
and people of that section, and the
whole State. are interested in the
passage Of the bill!
Mr.. Vann sent forward letter
from n prominent merchant in Dare
county petiuoning for the passage of
the bill. saying that the conditions cX-
listing if not stopped would put an end
to fishing in that county.
Mr.. Vann also sent forward several
statements of the fishing conditions.
aud Investigations and discoveries OF
l
SAYING that if the use Of Dutch or
pound nets were not discontinued, that
the fish would almost be annihilated.
Mr.. Vann explained that near Will
min gton\ the United states govern
mcnt had expended $4,000 for n
hatchery for the purpose of Matching
shad, and that this institution had
been nearly put out of operation be-
cause it could not get shad roe, as-the
Inets broke up the shads as they were
going uD from salt water to fresh wa
ter, to their spawning grounds. Mr..
Nann said there there are in use in
the eastern waters over 5000 pound
nets. and the substitute would not re-
move these nets and what the people
demand is that this mode of fishing
shall be prohibited. Mr.. Vann said
that the bill provided for change of
base TO the Dare county people, and
that not until four or five years ago
did the Dare county people move up
their nets to the place where it is de-
sired to relieve the situation, and stop
the method of fishing, where it is so
dangerous to the interests and obJec-
tionable to the people interested. He
said the fishing industry of that sec
ten employ $4,000 people, and they
are frequently put out of business by
the people using the pound nets. and
there are hundreds of fishermen UNI
able to make their bread because of
the method used.
Mr. Stubbs said the pound nets had
been used in the Sound for the past
twenty years, somewhat longer
than four or five year5. He said the
Chamber of Commerce of Elizabeth
City had sent a resolution to the Leg
stature condemning the Vann bill. and
that every township in Dare county
had passed resolutions condemning the
I l.sl Oh Eats nm L.
formed him, he said, tfat there has
been the same decrease of fish in all
the Southern States as in North Caro-
lima.
MI. Webb asked Mr.. Vann what tht
conditions would be if the substitute
bill were passed.
Mr.. Vann replied that the people
would not be benefited.
Mr.. Nann asked Mr.. Stubs he same
question. and Mr.. StuEhs reptile tina
he could not answer the question
Mr.. Gillian said ne was acquainted
with the conditions of the waters ar
fected by the bill. and ne believe
an injustice would be afflicted upol
the people. the fishing interests ant
industry, if this bin should pass. Al
ter hearing the arguments the com
imittee he said he favored the YAM
bill and but for the substitute n,
would have supported the Vann bill
but the substitute was q fair and JUS
: and equitable adjustment, and
should be adopted. The existence o
these nets that are complained of d'
not affect the decrease of shad, tina
IS said TO exist and if il were true /
did not Justify the sweeping, radica
conditions of the Vann bill, and tn
substitute afforded every particle o
relief desired. \ conservative measure
should be adopted, until its effect
should have been shown, as ever,
county bordering upon the Pamlic'
land Albemarlc sounds is directly af
fected by the bill, and the radica
. measures involved in the Nann bill
should not be rashly resolved upon. 1
the substitute in two years has not ac
complished the results desired. thel
try the other or mother law for sh
protection and development OF thi
great industry.
Mr. Gillian asked Mr.. Fann if tn
substitute bin would not remove ever.
one of the nets in the middle of tn
channel.
Mr. Vann replied that if the sesolu
ton were the only relief, available
that it were JUST as we'll that Their
should be none at ALL and If the origi
nal bill were not passed he wanted n
Legislation on the matter at ALL Wha
, was desired WAS that all the countie
. Should nave equdE rights, ana IN
Chowan section would have no NOR
privileges than the people of the othc
sc ~tionS.
, MI Ward said the substitute repre-
scented the will of three Of the fou
Senators representing that cunStit
uenCy.
Mr. Beasley said it seemed tina
nothing that had been proposed o
could be proposed would be accepte,
by Mr.. Nann except the Vann bill. II
said six out Of eleven of the commit
tee decided to report the bill favorahlA
he had hoped there would be som
compromise reached favorable to III
but as this was not so, he would Not
for the original bill. Something s nee
: essary, he said, to relieve The state o
: affairs in the shad fishing section. II
allowed that the Nann bill was stfin
5 gent. but knowing the sentiment o
/ the people be represented, he felt con
strained to support the original bill
The Stubs substitute was vote,
; upon, and il seeming that the aye
carried a division was called Upo
being counted sixteen Senators favor
ed it, and twenty-siX We're opposed t
the substitute and It was lost.
. no n,.i cgin al