The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-02-03
is asked that a bin be introduced to right
at once the wrong that has occurred by
omission In this department.

at once the wrong that has occurred by
omission In this department.
OYSTER QUESTION.
Can the State afford to be robbed Der.
petually as to one Of her greatestest inter.
estsi Aliens will come In and probably
citizens will mid them to take from Vir-
ginia not only her wealth, but The source
OF her wealth. Those thieves take away
from this Commonwealth at least two
millions Of dollars per annum. The pres
ent law Is not efficient to prevent that rob-
berry. win not the Legislature so amend
the law as to give our people or their rep
resentatives the power to protect them
selves? Heretofore the law has practically
been imperative. Nothing could be done
except on Executive responsibility.
| In the year 1882 the Governor had In
formation Of flagrant violation OF the law
by persons who were dredging illegally for
oysters in the counties Of Matthews and
Middlesex. II was reported by the civil
authorities OF those counties that felony
had been committed, and that the aid OF
the State government was needed to carry
into effect the law. Therefore, in 1882.
| the Governor, under the law and his oath
10 execute the laws, organized and con-
Quoted an expedition armed and equipped
against the marauders. The result WIS the
capture Of seven vessels and about seventy
prisoners. The prisoners were convicted
and the vessels were contiscated and sold,
the p,irchase.money being stlll matter in
controversy before the Supreme Court OF
| Appeals OF the State. One year afterwards
another excursion was deemed necessary.
Six vessels were captured and number Of
persons. who were apparently guilty OF
felony under the present statute against
dredging. However. the courts released
all the property and prisoners taken on
this last expedition Though several OF the
vessels and many Of the men were taken
in the act OF unlawful dredging), and OF
course on this judicial action | have no
comment TO make.
After conference with many citizens OF
Tidewater Virginia, and careful study OF
the whole subject, feel compelled to ask
the General Assembly to make some adj
equate provision for the protection OF this
great interest. agree with the Fish Com
missioner, who urges that all dredging in
Virginia waters should be (at least for the
present) prohibited. l add that no per-
sons other than citizens Of Virginia should
| be allowed to take oysters in our waters.
| Have we the right to make this restriction! !!
| The Supreme Court OF the United States
long ago conceded that right to the State
We may not interfere with navigation,
commerce, anchorage, &C., but the pro.
ductions OF our inland waters are the
property OF the State, and fair subjects for
legislation and protection. (See Foley Us.
Harrison, 18th How, when Judge fancy
delivered the opinion OF the cOurt.)
1t is difficult problem to determine
exactly how the State OF Virginia shall
be guarded against this wholesale rob-
berry. The merchantable oysters for sale
TO be eaten would amount to nothing, but
the dredges scrape the rocks, take of
the seed, and it is only question OF a
few years when Virginia shall have to
buy back from other States the wealth
that had been her own. Already most OF
the natural rocks on the Eastern Shore
have been denuded. 1t is only a question
of time. with seventy or eighty vessels
constantly poaching on orr preserves, when
the Western Shore will be naked OF natural
products. The loss is incalcuiable. and the
remedy ought to be sharply and decisvely
applied. ! an frank to say that the
Governor can do nothing effective now
by organizing raids upon the pirates.
The first expedition was a surprise, and
therefore only a success. We must have
an organized and constant force in order
TO deal with this wealthy and powerful
combination. They have friends in every
part of Virginia. Only few days ago
they resisted and repelled an attack from
an authorized officer OF this Common
and they should be made outlaws. think
the present statute to be Ineffective. and
hope for an amendment which will secure
the confscation of vessels engaged in this
unlawful traffic.
II also occurs to the Executive that the
present law is too severe a. to persons who
may be tried or convicted for engaging in
unlawful dredging. The punishment OF
individuals will never stop the nefarious
practice. We must attack the capital en-
gagged in the bu>IneSs-sink the vessels or
contscate them. II the existing statutes
shall be properly amended, and after tenn
porary provisions shall have been made TO
defend our fisheries. | recommend that
authority be vested in some board, to be
composed OF executive officers OF the Gov
ernmcnt, to build fast steamer. &c. The
specifications will be laid before the COM
mittee of your body which has charge Of
this subject ii desired. and | request the
immediate reference OF this portion OF my
message 10 the Committee on the Chesa-
peake and is Tributaries.
THE PUBLIC PROPERTY.
Suggestions have been made TO the En-
ecutiye that the State should sell all the
public property outlying from the Capitol
Sollare. This proposition has my favor
without reserve, provided that the pro-
perty shall be held for 4 proper price. Al
together the State holds considerable
amount OF real estate utterly unprOductive,
and lacks accommodation in the library
for committees and State officers. The
proceeds OF an honest sale OF what the
state owns would much more than cover
the erection OF building which would
relieve the library from pressure, provide
for the Supreme Court OF Appeals, give
rooms to the legislative committees. and
generally meet all the demands OF the situa-
ton.
THE WORLDS FAIR AT NEW ORLEANS.
The attention OF the General Assembly
i called TO the Worlds Fair to be held at
New Orleans next October. Would il not
be We'll for Virginia to have full repre-
sentation there OF her resources and pro-
ductionsy The cost would he slight; the
result might be large. The Governor has
appointed commissioners TO the New Or
leans Exposition, and il Is hoped that the
Legislature will provide by act an appro-
preparation for proper cXhibitit OF the
wealth and resources OF the Common
wealth.
RAILROADS.
desire to reilerate the opinion express
ed in former messages as to the necessity OF
some legislation to restrict the railway cor
poratiOns OF this State to their legitimate
functions. The Office OF Railroad Com
missioner, as at present constituted, is