Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1865-12-12

the case adluuSed by any Judge OF a Circuit
Court, to whom application may be made by
the complainant or intormer, either in vaca-
ton or in term. Concurrent jurisdiction in
this class Of cases might also be given to the
county and corporation courts. One-fotrth
of the money derived from the sale of for
feited vessels and cergoes should be paid to
the officer ordering the arrest; one-fourth to
those who shall assist in making such arrest,
and the residue to the State. Like proceed
ings for fcrfeirures and fines might be had
before a Justice of the Peace for violations
OF the law by persons taking oysters with
tongs from boats ana canoes. Every white
person taking out license for taking oysters
should be- required to take an oath, prescribed
by law, to observe the oyster laws of the
State, aud to, assist in the enforcement of the
same, and should be constituted an officer
for this purpose.
Land owners on the waters of Virginia de-
string to plant oysters, should be requested
to stake or mark off, with stakes or other
wise, a space not exceeding an area Of five
acres, the metes and pounds of which should
be recorded in the deed book of the county
in which his land lies. The wilful taking Of
oysters within such oyster-b,ds, without the
permission of the owner, should be made a
felony; bat the oysters raised in such beds,
if sold for market, should be required to be
carried in licensed vessels. Hulied oysters
should be allowed to be carried from the ports
and landings in Virginia. in kegs or caus in
vessels not required to take out license for
the oyster trade. Thfs'would encourage the
hu!fnS of oysters in the State, where the
shell, Which is of much value as a fertilizer,
would be left. The laTso on this subject would
require various details, which will suggest
themselves to those familiar with the sub
iect, and to which I have not alluded. To
that feature of this Recommendation, which
looks to combining the carrying trade in oys-
tiers to actual settlers in Virginia, l ask your
careful consideration. 1t will doubtless meet
with much opposition from persons engaged
in the trade who reside out OF the State, and
it maybG, there are not a suficier$ number
of vessels owned by the citizens Of thc State,
at this time, to carry on the business. 1t
may, therefore, be advisable to postpone the
operation ofthis restriction for twelve months.
in order to allow time for residents desiring
to enter into this business to prepare for the
trade. The State OF Maryland has enacted a
law similar to the law | propose, and confines
both the taking and carrying of oysters in
her waters to the residents Of that State. If
this business shall be confined to residents in
Virginia, it would very soon largely increase
the wealth and population Of the State. l
would further recommend, that that one
moiety of the tax derived from this source
shall be reserved as a sinking fund to pay
the public debt. The other mOic!y should
be devoted to the maintenance Of public
schools in the Statc-thc principal invested
in good securities, and only the interest used
Tor that purpose. In the course Of fifteen or
twenty ycafsthis fund would be adequate 70
pay a large part of the public debt, and eros
ate literary fand and woultfcnsurc Il common
school education for all the children of the.
State.
The unsettled condition Of the industrial.
agricultural and financial interests Of the
State, the scarcity Of live stock in every part
Ofthc Commonwealth, and the fact that it is
almost impossible for The farmers to borrow
money to rcpleniSh their stock, concur to
make to make the subject of taxation; at the
present time, one Of peculiar embarrassment
to the legislator.
We lave no banks, of circulation in the
State; except National Banks, and the tax
imposed by Congress on the State Banks for
bids the establishment of any others. The
circulation of all the National Banks III the
State only amounts to about SI.3G0. 600,
little more than onc-haif the interest Of the
State debt. Our people have IN hide efforts
to increase the number of Natiou6l Banks in
The State, and thereby to increase tie volume
OF circulation; but these facilities have been
caprlciously denied by the Comptroller ofthe
Federal currency. The future ability Of the
people to pay tax depends much on their
ability to rc,stock their farms and carry on
their industrial and commercial pursuits.
Until we know what will bethe policy of the
Federal Government in aflording National
banking facilities, you should be very eau
tlous lest tax should be imposed on TIE
people which they will be unable to pay.
WEST VIRGINIA:
By the aet Of the General Assembly, -c:4-
ing the consent of this State to. the creation
Of the State Of Vest Virginia, it is provided
that the State Of'Wcst Virginia shall pay its
equitable share Of the public dept. My i'm
preston is shat this settlement can be most
satisfactorily made by reference to our com
missioncrs, none Of whom should reside in
either State, two Of them to be chosen by
each State. with authority conferred on these
commissioners to choose all umpire in case OF
di~sasrecment-all questions submitted for
their consideration to be presented by agents
appointed by the General Assembly Of each
State.
y question has arisen in regard to the
status OF the counties of Jefferson and Bcrkc-
ley. BY the action taken these counties be-
came organized by persons and officers who
claim them as part Of West Virginia. Upon
the general Reorganization of the State. l
found that l could not organize these coun-
ties under the laws and ordinances of Vir>
ginia, without producing strife and collision;
and as | could do nothing to settle the qucs-
ton definitely, l considered it proper to let
the whole subject be referred to the Congress
OF the United States, where authoritative ac-
ton could be taken, in which all parties will
have to acquicsce: The Geherai Assembly
may adopt such measures as may be deemed
proper for bringing the question to an issue.
l. think j may be done by a petition of ci-
Their party asking Congress to pass a joint