raised by the sale of improvement certificates, issued according to the provisions of law governing such city; the issue and sale whereof for the purposes of this act are hereby authorized. 6. And be it enacted, That this act shall take effect immediately. Approved March 23, 1883. JOINT RESOLUTIONS. NUMBER I. Joint Resolution to congress asking relief and protection to citizens along the sea coast of New Jersey, from steam yacht menhaden fishing with purse seines. WHEREAS, The inhabitants along the sea shore of New Jersey have been in the habit of catching, in addition to other food fish, large quantities of menhaden or mossbunkers, used by many for food; and whereas, the menhaden are naturally inclined to draw toward the beach, and being a principal "feed" for other and better grades of food fish, the latter naturally follow the "feed," thereby affording those persons residing contiguous to the ocean, favorable opportunities for securing the means of subsistence, and also of furnishing the home market, with its increasing demands along the entire coast, as well as that of the country and cities, with a very important article of food; and whereas, the said persons residing aforesaid, especially those accustomed to the occupation of fishing in the ocean adjacent to the beach, have been and are being greatly injured in their business, by men fishing with steamers and purse seines from other states and territories, who operate their machinery within a few hundred yards of the beach, by which means the life-time business and dependence for subsistence of a worthy, useful and needy class of citizens are being destroyed, the people deprived of a needed article of food, and the eastern section of the state of its natural sources of revenue and income; and the aforesaid citizens, realizing that they have no means of competing with or protecting themselves against so formidable an enemy, are compelled to seek relief and protection |