Kanawha Valley star. [volume] (Charleston, Va. [W. Va.]) 1856-1861, 1858-02-16
Oyster FuRdum.

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The state Of Virginia has one million,
Twp hundred and straightforward acres
ofH0yster Fundum, which is estimated
i 70 contain seven hundred and eighty -four
million bushels Of the best oysters il the
world.
There are ninety-six thousand tons of
vessels, and other water crafts, employed
in taking aud carrying oysters from their
natural beds, which transport, annually,
the enormous quantity Of fourteen mil
hons. four hundred thousand bushels III
oysters; worth. at the oyster beds, four
millions of dollars. OF this sum one
fifth only is consumed in Virginia, tie
other four ore sent to grace the tables aud
crafty the appetites Of epicures in other
! states. See tile Message of Gov. Wise.1
This annual consumption Of ovs,srs
would soon use Up the stock. If ii Mere
not that the oyster is one Of the most pro-
lific creatures u existence But ifplan-
ated, and projected BY the hand Of indus
try, care and skill, under the operation Of
proper legal regulations. they wonld in
creasein quantity and value, loan extent
I lhatoae fsels dihident to enumerste, lestit
j appear too incredible.
AZ ~ L
And, notwithstanding this immense
source Of wealth and revenue belongs 10
tho state, yet she derives no revenue from
y. and foarEffths Of tile whole, product
are takendby strangers and carried away
toenrich md luxuriate the people Of other
states. LA tax, ola few cents perbushel,
I were laid upon oysters, from tie oyster
H fandum alone, the state would derive q
revenue OF 4 million or NOR. dollars an
lltlaliy, and might, in few years, be
madeto yield more nettFefenue than all
The other sourcesIof taxation in the state.
Fl And who, let US enquire, would pay
\ this tax Z Would it be Virginians
! Gptatall The true Democratic doctrine
has always been, and is yet, and we hope
4 ever will be, that the duty is paid BY the
consumer, and that doctrine has 50
triumphed. IN this country, that there is
now no organized party in the land which
n contains ii its platform . plank 81 article
j III confict|witilsis. HI
H Now. we have already seen that four
u fifthsof the oysters are taken.and carried
awsy, and consumed BY the people 81
ether states. while only ore.ffth are
Ntsksn, andIeonsumed. by our9owa people.
HIN Then is it not clear, that whatever
apunt Of revenue may be raised, from
|. tho Isser fundum, would be paid in the
]. proFion Of four-ffths, BY the citizens
II p oth0 tates. 70 oae-6fth. BY our own
people. other words. for every fye
million Pr Vars that might go into ouI
state treasa Tom this source, ne should
pm ray one hem.
HI and rare luxury, nr,aJ I ,,,o.,,v s, 3, tb i
I'll fichland those Wild ! h;,,a ,;s,,,a sn 1
\ will have them. no i whatthey oOst,
I consequently, oysters IN bear ] rs,y
III high tax, without its Ben III .
is also an article ns., u. :. D,
faith h Cat II all duties and 81. where
II determinations are made; sha,,ld
III always be favor Of he poor. ], j, tl,a0
Ell ~ favor of NE fich. And this a
the oyster tandum, would be III gras,
II keeping yial shat maxim, as 1t WON s
strictly q tax onluxury, and paid BY
Fl rich.
Every other interest in tile state
heavily taxed, and still the treasury j
empty snd our state debt large, While gu
railroads languish OR the necessary mean
10 complete them.
The extraordinary facilities Of rapi,
and widely extended transportation ]
oysters, bymeaus 81 railroads, open 1,
almost bouhdless and insatiable market
aid demand III Them. What, therefore
eorld d more appropriate thanthas ti,css
oysters. and oysser callers, should be made
70 contribute y reasonable proportion Il
.''e burdens d .kdil PIG az ,ailpads Isl