Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-02-10
OYSTER EunduIi Law.

W.. do not proposc to discuss either the rl3ht
to raise revenue from oysters, nor yet the
node Of raising the revenue-neither shall we
waste time and space in urging the duty ol
making every available kind Of property bear
its proportionatc burden Of taxation. These
arc questions which the people have a'ready
decided; and to that decision, it well becomes
all prudent legislators to lend willing aud
obedicnt ear.
We design comparing the evidence furnished
by the witnesses against the proposed oyster
law; and believe that, from their statement we
shall be able to show the duty Of providing by
law for raising revenue from this property
We might rest the question Of some 'trsnae
upon the following propositions, and demand
the law from which Mr. Parker believes that
onehaJ the fees will be liberal compensation
to him.
NORFOLK, Dec. II, 1850
JAS G. PAXTON, Esq, Chairman. &c
Dear Sir Misunderstanding that the oppo-
nents Of your oyster bill! all say that It will not
Weld any net revenue, beg leave to make
through you to the authorities Of the State the
following proposition lfthc General Assembly
will pass your bill, which have examined, am
willing 10 make 4 contract tu execute the Oyster
Law and the Inspection Slave Law for two cars,
to furnish the vessels and pay all expenses OF
executing both laws, and pay ONE HALF or THE
GROSS PROCEEDS WHICH NAY ARISE Under BOTH
LAWS INTO TIE STATE TREASURY, the other half
to bc retained for my expenses and services OF
myself and assistants. IImy proposition is ac-
ceptcd will give bond, with satisfactory Sc
curity, for the faithful execution Of both laws.
Very respectfully,
WM. II. PasHEE.
know the writer of the within (ahuve) and
have full confidence in his good faith and per-
sonul competency to fulfil any undertaking lie
will assume He would be the best appointcc
| know Of 10 execute these laws; and whilst
he is 7 man Of small means himself, thous! in
dependent, am confident that he could secure
the performance herein proposed, and make
large profit at it. llESEY \. WISE.
December 2lst, 1852
Another proposition before MS oilers 10 exc
cute both inspection and oyster laws, the State
supplying one steamer, for commission Of %
per cent Of the Jees; the parties bearing all
expenses of the steamer and pilot boats, and
paying into the State Treasury IS per cent. Of
the fees collected.
The question of ,ota6 rcccnue is set az rest
by these propositions. But let us examine the
witnesses introduced BY the opponents Of the
bill:
Mr.. W. 4. Spence, Dr., Of Wcs.moreland.
testified as follows:
Do not think it would be wrong 10 raise
revenue on oysters, if tax could be laid on
oysters that would operate equally, and could
be collected safely and surely. I think it as
proper 10 tax oysters or money employed in the
oyster trade as to tax any other property or
money employed in any other business.
do not believe that any money employed in
the oyster trade contributes at all equally with
that employed in other species Of trade to the
revenues Of the State, but think it ought to be
made to do so if practicable.
believe that 4 tax might be collected b.
making vessels engaged in the trade pay the
same to some authorized officer, before sailing
for market, whose compensation would be :;
commission OH his collections. II would be
easy for captain 10 go before an inspector and
swear 10 his manifest and obtain clearance, in
default ol which he would forfeit his cargo and
vessel if caught. think a net rcvenuc might
be obtained in this way provided the tax was
not too high 50 rs to amount to prohibition or
impel the dealer to fraud. believe very
small tax OH the oysters sent TO market would
yield large sum, rs per cent. or more CT
which ought to be net, if judiciously collected.
believe a tax Of ORC per cent per bushel
even, would yield between 80, 900 and 500, 900,
Judging that not less than 100000 bushels
arc taken 10 various markets from the waters
Of Virginia, and that the tax Of one cent wonld
be very moderate y. \. SpeScE. III.