Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

80 Miss. 588

Eaton v. State

Mississippi Supreme Court

Decided March 15, 1902

Mississippi Supreme Court · decided 1902-03-15

From the circuit court of Hancock county. ITon. James H. Neville, Judge. Eaton, the appellant, was indicted for dredging with steam for oysters in the public reefs of Hancock county, contrary to the ordinances of the board of supervisors of the county; his demurrer to the indictment was overruled, and he ivas tried and convicted. It appeared that the dredging was done on the public reefs in waters more than fourteen feet deep.

Decided 1902-03-15

Terral, J.,

¶1delivered the opinion of the court.

¶2The appellant was convicted and fined $100 for taking oysters from the public reefs of Hancock county, with a dredge operated by steam, contrary to the ordinance of said county.

¶3His contention is that the ordinance of the board of supervisors is in conflict with chapter 90, laws 1898. Said chapter does, as we view it, confer upon all persons the right to dredge for oysters in all waters fourteen feet and more in depth; and this right is not restricted by the mode of operating the dredge. The power to dredge, without any limitation in the manner of its exercise, is specifically conferred by the legislature, and such power cannot be denied or abridged by the board of supervisors.

¶4Such regulations as the board may make must be consistent with the provisions of the act of the legislature. The ordinance of the board here questioned does not merely regulate dredging for oysters, but it deniqs entirely the dredging for oysters by steam appliances. Fourteen feet waters, and waters of greater depth, are, as to dredging, taken entirely from the authority of the board by the act of 1898.

¶5Reversed and dismissed.

/80/miss/588 · .json · Public domain