Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1908-07-22
SAVANNAH RIVER FISH.
Georgia and Carolina in Harmony.
Game Wardens.
Augusta Chronicle, 18th }

augusta Chronicle, 14th.)
Yesterday morning was held a con-
ference between the committee Of the
South Carolina General Assembly, ap-
pointed to investigate the matter of
fishways along the Savannah river,
and a committee appointed by Mayor
Dunbar at the request of Governor
Smith. The committee from the Car
olina General Assembly Is composed
of Senator J. r. Earle, OF Oconee
county, and Hon. l.. NJ. Rucker and
Hon. B. r.. Nicholson. from the lower
house. The committee appointed by
Mayor Dunbar was Nisbet Wingfield,
John d. Twiggs, Jr., J. p. Verdery
and T. S. Raworth.
The first conference was held at
the Commercial Club on Monday
night, and the committees again met
yesterday morning, and tour Of in
spection was made along the river
and to the Augusta Dam, up at the
locks. as the matter Of having an
adequate fishway put in the dam was
the principal item Of strictly local in
terest.
Since The Augusta dam was first
built, Congress has passed a law,
which provides that all dams put in
naVigable streams have such a fish
way as will prevent the dam from
obstructing the passage OF fish. 1t has
now been SO long since the dam was
built that the fishways are thought to
be Inadequate, and it is for this rea-
son that the conference handled this
phase Of the situation.
Mr.. Wingiield assured the commit
tees that the city would take up the
matter, and have such improvements
made as would leave the dam in such
l,.r 30,
asked. 1t was agreed to request that
an expert be sent from the fish COM
mission at Washington, vino should
select the most advantageous place
for, and draw up satisfactory plans
for the fishway. This will be done
as soon as possible.
Messrs. Earle and Rucker were
both Of the opinion, that, while the
dam as it now is, might be sufficient
to obstruct the passage Of fish up
the river, yet owing to the numerous
nets in the river below Augusta,
very small per cent Of the fish really
reach the dam, and the matter of
proper enforcement of the fish laws
was an important part of the discus
sion. With the fish laws properly
enforced on the river, then an ade-
quate fishway in the dam would rem
edy the trouble in regard to an alb
sence Of fishes higher up, as compar-
ed with the conditions which existed
years ago. In this connection, mea-
sure was drafted by the committees,
a copy OF which will be sent to the
Georgia General Assembly, now in
session. This measure provides for
the appointment of fish warden, at
a salary of seventy-five dollars per
month, whose duty it is to see that
the fish laws are obeyed, and he is to
have the power to arrest without
warrant. 1t is thought that the mea-
sure will receive favorable consider
alton at the present meeting Of the
house.
The South Carolina committee feels
confident that like bill will pass the
Carolina Legislature at the next ses-
sion. 1t is the plan to have the war
dens work in conjunction, which will
guard against any offender avoiding
arrest by crossing from one State
bank to the other. The Georgia Leg
islature will be requested to provide
half of the cost and maintenance of
launch, which shall be for the use
of the two wardens, and the Legisla-
ture of South Carolina will be re-
Quested to bear half the same eX-
penses. With such officers provided
which will enable a strict enforce
ment of the fish laws, 1t Is thought
that much Of the Illegal fishing and
trapping now being done below the
city, will be done away with, and
with an adequate fishway put in the
dam up at the locks, every indication
Is, that the people up the river will
be enabled to enjoy the fishing which
at one time was so plentiful in that
section. 1t is the intention Of the
committee that the territory Of the
wardens in joint action extend from
the confluence Of the Seneca and Tu-
galoo rivers to the mouth Of the Sa-
yannah.
The conference was closed yester-
day, and the committees will await
the action of the city Of Augusta in
regard to the fishway in the dam. and
the action of the State Legislature in
providing for the officers and launch