Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1913-08-07
REGARDING THOSE
FISHING INDICTMENTS

|
was disposed of during the two days
court was in session, but so far Ms We
have been able to learn, no indict
ments for unlawful fishing were made
yet it cannot be doubted that thert
are parties who have violated the fist
laws; some, perhaps, with a clear
knowledge of and regardless of the
law; Others, perhaps, who are not full
ly acquainted with all the ways in
which the law respecting fish may be
violated
There seems to be strong sentiment
throughout this and adjoining coun-
ties in favor of protecting the game
fish in the splendid and magnificent
streams of this county. Little Sequat-
chic River, is, perhaps, the finest
fishing stream in Marion county, and
it is to be doubted If there is any bet
ter in the State, ard in view of this
every citizen should help protect this
stream against unlawful fishing, es-
pecially against explosives, and it is
generally conceded that every citizen
| living ON its waters will do his duty
along this line.
A large number of witnesses, 1.-THE
county, of course, bears the expense)
had been summoned to appear before
the grand jury to indict great many
| of some of the best citizens of Marion
county for having seined one time in
the lagoon near Sequachee. Some of
these were some of the kind, bospit-
able citizens of Sequachee, which is
characteristic of nearly all the citizens
of this beautiful little town. These to
show their kindness had invited some
of the citizens of Jasper to come up to
their little town and spend a pleasant
day. Thera is reliable information
furnished by the most truthful wit
nesses, who are in position to know,
that this lagoon has been seined- for
the past thirty or forty years and also
have truthful witnesses offered to tes-
tify that some of the parties who were
interested in trying to have some of
their own citizens and neighbors in
dicted. ale guilty of the very same Of
ense, "Oh, consistency, thou art a
jewel.
The writer had a talk with the
Judge and the foreman of the grand
jury and other legal minds, and their
Interpretation of the law is that there
lur ncf in In
goon, and similar places. The lagoon
is not running stream, it is not a
lake nor pond, and can be proven by
men living near the lagoon that
great many places where the water
stands, dries up during the absence of
rain tt at is, during long, dry seas
ons. The law is against seining in
rivers, lakes and ponds, and the la
goon does not come under the head of
a river, laks or pond, so said one of
the lawyers.
1t is hard to convince a jury of in-
telligence that men who violate the
law, are prompted to prosecute other
men out of pure motives, and with
view and interest to uphold the maj
esty of the law.
The writer helped to seine the la
goon at Sequachee one time, but. not
withstanding he had seen and known
other men to seine this place, he first
examined the law, and got the inter
pretation of legal minds. Far would
I be from violating any law knowing
ly. THE LAW SHOULD BE EN-
FORCED, and that, too, from right
and righteous standpoint, and not from
a stingy, selfish one, In investigating
this matter more closely, 1 find that it !
is violation of the law to catch fish |
with troll. The law in explaining
how fish may be taken from streams
in which it is violation of the law
to seine, says it is a violation of the
law to kill, catch, wound OF take from
the stream except with a BAITED
HOOK, and an artificial minnow with
fifteen or more hooks attached to it,
is not baited hook, but comes under
the head of grabbing. This is the in
of two lawyers who are in
full possession of the facts. For my
self, and yet | do not employ this
method of fishing, cannot see the val
ne of this law in protecting the fish,
ani besides hundreds of sportsmen fish
with a troll exclusively, and would
not enjoy fishing in any o.her way.
Fishing on the Sabbath is viola
ion of the law, and the offender can
De immediately arrested, and taken
before Justice of the Peace and fined, {
md one-half of the fine is given to
he officer making the arrest, as re-
ward, and the other half is turned ov- {
II to the State. Also when fishing on /
Sunday becomes public nuisance, it 9
$ an indictable offense. This is de- s
ision of the Supreme Court, found in :
'irst Lea, Page 100. 1
As believer and a cooperator in
rotecting fish, | would suggest as a
ood law that it be violation of the
sw to catch fish in any way through
ne months of April, May and June,
)r tbes3 months ia the season for