Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-03-12
LETTER FROM RICHMOND.

Especial correspondence OF LIE oAHEi irl
RICHMOND, Va, March 1.-The Mary
land oyster commission, composed of jolly
oyster.eaters, has made good impression
upon the Legislature so far, and that body
the bill in conformity with the, wishes Of the
visitors. These gentlemen represent that
never before has the oyster interest, both in
Virginia and Maryland, been more serious
ly jeopardized than now. The encroach-
ments have been specially felt by the Ba!Ii-
more wholesale dealers who find that
while the demand is on the increase, the
supply of really good oysters is falling oil
rapidly. These men are now taking hold
of the question in good earnest, and are
forming an oyster saving party which they
mean to back with their money to the ut
most.
From all indications hereabouts the state
ments published in some papers to the eff
feet that there is division in the Malone
ranks over Blaine and Arthur are mere
chat. 1t has for its object the discourage
ment OF the straightouts, who are known 10
be for Blaine. The idea in sending out these
reports is to stampede the Wickham and
Dezendorf men.
1t is conceded that the Legislature is
making mistake in passing the feature OF
the tax bill reducing the tax on drummers
to $75s This really amounts to a discrmi-
nation against Virginia merchants in favor Of
Baltimore dealers. This is wrong and there
is bitter complaint here by the wholesale
merchants over this feature. These men
have been liberal in putting their hands in
~ o,l, ote to 81 in Nfrr,; 10
| from the hands Of the ringsters who held it,
and their claims deserve careful consider
alton at the hands of the Legislature.
The idea of an extra session is certainly
dead, but strong pressure is being brought
to make members agree to stay several
weeks longer in order TO pass several i'm
portant measures that can not be gotten
through by Saturday. The point of diff
ference between the Marylanders and Fir-
ginians on the oyster question is that while
the Maryland law prohibits the longing for
oysters in the waters of the Potomac between
| April 10Th and September lst in each year,
| the Virginia law allows oysters to be taken
| in the Potomac with tongs fifteen days
| longer Therefore if the Maryland law is
passed it takes fifteen days longing from the
| Virginians. For this reason some of the
delegates from the oyster districts object to
the Maryland law in its present shape.
| But in order to at least get something like
| decisive action the sentiment seems to be in
| favor of pressing the Maryland law now and
| let the matter be healed 10 future by con-
current action Of the two legislatures
When Spilman was put in nomination for
| the judgeship of Fauquier in the House to-
day, Mr. Smith said desire to present 10
| this body the name of Mr.. E. NJ. Spilman,
and commend him as q gentleman of high
character, a man of superior intellect and
sound judgment, and lawyer of ability and
experience, who having been for some years
out of active practice, will coupon the bench
fresh from the people, in sympathy with them,
cogniZant of their wants, and enabled to pro-
mote their interest to the extent that an
efficient and honorable discharge OF the
duties of the judicial office will permit
Mr.. Spilman will redeem the ermine from
the incompetency and abuse which II has
covered of late in Fauquier on the county
bench, and restore it to the respect and con
tidence of the people and the legal profes
sion.
After Mr. Green had talked against Mr..
Spiman,
Mr.. Smith said in reply that he was proud
to say that Mr.. Spilman was incapable Of
compromising himself and especially fol-
place at the hands of the coalition party.
He concluded by declaring that it wa.
the pride of this Legislature to have power
to rebuke its predecessors for great out,
rage-and 20 have made it most significant
by elevatiug the man that had proven toe
worthy for their endorsement.
In the Senate yesterday Senator Christian
when the tax bill came up, asked Mr.
4 - -,
jackasses were taxed so little and lawyers
80 much. The answer OF Dir. Powell was
good though perhaps not elegant, but il
turned the laugh upon Judge Christian.
| STRONGBOW.