Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-03-17
DIspOsING OF MUSCLE LEGISLATION.


NOV that the state Senate busy undoins the crazy
headed work OF the House OF Representatives. it
should earn the esteem friendship Of the Delaware
anglers by defeating the House bill making the waters
OF the Chesapeake and Delaware canal in this State
free fishing territory for nonresident anglers.
Under the existing law a nonresident, to fish law
fully, must pay 10 the State license fee Of $3.50
That law passed not so much for the purpose OF
deriving revenue II TO give Delaware anglers
protection in the pursuit OF their favorte recreation
It recognized that with Delaware possessing so
few good fresh water fishing places. something should
be done 10 protect our home anglers Therefore the
nonresident tax imposed
Two years ago certain who In business
OF near the canal conceived the idea that It would be
good stroke TO commercalIze the canal and the game
fish therein for their own beneht.
As they saw Il, II they could bring about repeal
OF the nonresident anglers license law those
residents would flock to the favorte fishing place OF
tho Delaware anglers and spend large amounts OF
money for foodstuns and amentarv refreshment IN
hard and soft forms
When the Delaware anglers Indignantly inquired
Hut what about and hshns7" tho cool reply OF
those who seeking 20 commerciazs tho stream
for their own beneht was, In brutal effect: "Oh, TO
--- with you and your fishing We are out TO get
tho money!" "But you will destroy our sport" the
anglers replied. THAT may be- but we'll do some
thing towards hns our pockets" was the retort
Such unpatrlotc and unsportsmanliko argument aid
not appeal to majority Of the legislators, the bill
defeated and the Delaware anglers remained pro-
tected against a nonresident INVASION
That was two years ago.
When the present Legislature met those who we're
eager to commeroolize the canal for their profit
and at the expense Of the Delaware anglers returned
TO the attack. bill similar In import 10 the OF
two years ago was introduced In the face OF the Op-
position Of the Delaware anglers It passed the House
and sent 10 the Senate There Il IL today receiv
ing serious consideration when It ought to be killed
out-of-hand by the sensible Senator'S.
It may be said in defense Of the measure that It
passed the House
True; but this House appears to be willing to pass
anything and everything.
II has bipartisan majority possessed Of hgh-spsed
action but low-sped brain.
That majority TO have adopted the policy OF
voting first and thinking afterward.
II is a majority with keen hindsIght but with its
foresight obscured by catsrscts which make Niagara
look like ripples in q brook
The State Senate has been working overtime head
ing off the fool work the House has done
The indications are that the Senators will have to
continue to work overtime until the session ends be-
cause the House has this bipartisan majority that is
bent stubbornly using its muscles instead OF ito
brains in disposng OF legislation.
'ANA"NAeA
mingon; its friendly attitude toward the Cedar Rust
bill; its action the WEIGH Cigarette bill and the
sympathetic regard It manifested for nonresident
anglers all have gone TO show that its muscles are
much stronger than its gray matter.
In such an emergency II is only right and proper
that the State Senate should itself and protect
the public II has held up the House bl-which seeks
to force resubmissIon upon the people OF Wilmington
despite the fact that they have not asked for IT, It has
stricken the Cedar Rust bill off the legislative caen
dar; it has killed the WEIGH Cigarette BILL and done
many other good things in dealing with
hnk-afterward House legislation. Certainly its cor
receive influence should be exercised in behalf OF Della
ware anglers by killing the House bill throwing the
Chesapeake and Delaware canal wide open to non
resident anglers merely because few nearby trades
men think sales OF cigars tobacco cheese crackers
and hard and soft drinks will increase
Between now and final adjournment the Senate IL II
is TO continue TO show that is the brains Of the egs
laure, will have good deal OF killing to do Being in
need Of practice It should get to work, on tho Non
Resident Anglers License Exemption bill and make It's
death throes short as possible.