Morning journal and courier., 1883-08-02
Oyster Growers in Council.
Report of Their Meeting tn the InsuraE
 Building Yesterday

Report of Thet" Meeting tn the Insurance
 Building Yesterday.
 The Connecticut Oyster Growers and Dealers association held their annual meet ing yesterday afternoon in the Insurance building. The meeting was called to order at 2:15 o'clock by Henry J. Lewis, of Meri- den. The following members of the ssso- ciation were present: H. c. Rowe, Freder- ick Mansfield, Henry Palmer, A. P. Luding- ton, of Fair Haven Samuel $. Potter, F. F. Brown, New Haven Wheeler Hawley, Charles Nash, Bridgeport F. J. Besrdsley, D. c. W1coxson, Stiles Judson, Stratford; Charles Redfeld, Clinton; Russell Cramp- ton, Guilford; w. I. Stevens, Rowayton. After reading the minutes of the last meet ing, Henry c. Rowe, as chairman of the legislative committee, made his report. He referred, to the work of the com mittee at Hartford during the last session of the Legislature, and said they had encountered great opposi tlon In the section west of Bridgeport there had been great deal of jealousy aroused over the success. accomplished by the oyster growers east of Bridgeport. Their oppo- sition was fostered by men who wanted their votes to get elected, and as the great mass of legislators knew nothing about the oyster business they were easily swayed by the efforts ot the energetic members of the opposition. Some of these made hypocriti- cal professions of regard for the poor man.
 MT. Rowe said the object of the associa- tion's measure was to protect and foster the oyster growers interests without injuring anyone. They had no hostility to the nat ural oystermen and no desire to iDjure them. He also named certain members who deserv- ed the thanks of the association for their support of these measures and paid his re- spects to certain of the opposition. Extracts from some of the speeches of the men who had opposed the bills offered by the com mittee were read, and their Ignorance of the questions and jealousy were soundly stigma tized. There were twelve bills offered, all of which passed the committee. although two of them were defeated in the House. The third, the seizure bill, was vetoed by Gov ernor Waller. The opposition was fostered by personal work done among the members of the House. Senator Plunkett and Repre- sentatives Troup and Law had worked hard and with good effect for the bills of the asso- ciation. Mir. Rowe said that one man stated in the House that all the oystermen stole from each other, and the one who told the biggest lies about it was regarded the biggest man.
 MT. Rowe's report was accepted. Senator Plunkett, who had just come in, was intro duced to the meeting. He said he came in there simply to present his name for member ship of the association. Although he knew little about the cultivation of the oyster he knew great deal about the disposition of 1t. He believed that the association was calculated to do good work in protecting the interests of oyster growers. Combina- ton is necessary for such interests. He be- heved that the oyster growers would enrich the State very materially. The tax question is one of the greatest importance to them.
 After the Senator's speech he was obliged to leave. The report of the committee on taxation was then made by Mr. Rowe, in the absence of the chairman. The rate of taxa tion had been reduced 1-2 mills, from 12 1-2 to 10 mills. In this way the members of the association had been saved at least $1O, ,000. Still, as MT. Plunkett had said, the taxes were too high in proportion to the protection the State gives their properly The report was accepted.
 The names of Senator Plu,akett and Mir. kedfe!d were then proposed for member ship. They were admitted. The meeting then proceeded to the election of officers. MT. Henry J. Lewis, who has filled the of- nee Of president for the past year, declining to serve another term, Senator PIunkett was unanimously elected president, and 8 com
 nlttee consisting of H. 0. Rowe and R. J. Lewis was appointed to notify him of his election. MT. F. J. Beardsley, of Stratford, was reelected vice president; H. 0. Rowe, secretary, and Russell Champion, of Gull ford, treasurer. The executive committee which served last year was also chosen for a second term. That committee consisted of H. J. Lewis, Meriden; Fl. A. Barnes, New Haven; J BesEdsley. stratford; Jeremiah Smith, New Haven, and Theo- dore Lowndes. Norwalk The treasurer reported 8 balance of BPS 69 in the treasury An assessment of $2 member was then levied. It was voted that every member of the association should send the money to the treasurer. A vote of thanks was passed to Mir. Rowe for his efforts in behalf of tke interests of the association at the last ses~ sion of the Legislature good deal of dis cussion then followed upon the question of having picnic. It was suggested that the boats controlled by the association should be brought into use on that occasion. com mittee consisting of H. 0. Rowe, Fair