The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-02-06

| P"n!' anu ueclaring such company vested
WIN tue powers and franchises possessed
oy The Washington and ohio Railroad
Company.
10 amend and re-enact an act entitled an
act TO incorporate the Virginia and West
Virginia Railroad Company, approved
February 81, 1882.
THE MARYLAND DELEGATION.
At 1:01 Mr.. Christian presented the
Maryland delegation.
The Chair [Mr. Hurt expressed the
| pleasure the Senate felt at this visit OF bro
tner-legislntors, and welcomed them to pri-
Vileged seats on the floor. provided in ac-
cordance with the joint resolution.
Senator Gill responded on behalf OF the
Marylanders, expressing their appreciation
OF their hospitable reception, and hoping
that the object Of their mission would be
| accomplished
On motion, the chair was vacated for fif-
teen minutes.
MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR.
The chair having been resumed the Pre-
Sident pro tenn. laid before the Senate a
message from the Governor, rs follows:
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA,
GOVERNORS OFFICE,
RICHMOND, February 3, 1884.
TO the General assembly:
In making copies Of the communication
sent to your bodies on the I'd instant the
subjOined matter was accidentally omitted.
II should follow the closing clause OF the
paragraphs referring to the oyster interest /:
lin the regular annual message to the
General Assembly at the opening of the
present session the Executive called your
attention to the unsatisfactory relations on
this and kindred questions existing be-
tween the Commonwealth OF Virginia
and the State OF Maryland. The award
of the Boundary Commission (ratitied by
act of Legislature in the year 1870 was
alluded to and the fact stated that steps
had at Inst been taken. Notwithstanding my
disagreement with the findings OF the COM
mission. to definitely mark and establish
the boundaries agreed upon by the COM
missionerS and accepted by the Legisla-
lures of both States. There were still,
however. matters at issue between the TWO
States. The Joint jurisdiction over the
waters OF the Potomac river and Pocomoke
sound had not been the subject OF decision
by any final court. Executive authorities
in the State OF Maryland had claimed
rights in some dcbatable waters which
were in my opinion entirely at variance
with the terms of the treaty of 1885.
But the courts of both States have
invariably agreed, so far as j am
informed, in sustaining the view which
the Governor OF Virginia took in his cor
reSpondence with the Governor Of Mary
land-viZ.. that while the authorities Of
either State had the right TO arrest alleged
deprcdatorS in the disputed waters, they
could only deliver the persons so arrested
to the civil authorities OF the county hav-
ing jurisdiction in the adjoining State TO
try the case. have never bad any fault to
find with the Maryland courts in this re-
gard but not many months after my acces-
sion TO the goyernorship OF Virginia 1t was
ascertaned the custom OF the Maryland po-
lice force was to arrest Nirginians charged
with iniractions OF the terms OF the joint
treaty, or enactments said 10 be based
thereon. and carry them TO Maryland for
trial. The particular case was one from
our county OF WestmOreland. phe men
were finally released by the Maryland SUI
perIor Court, in consonance with the con-
Struction Of law which | have uniformly
held and presented. but in the mean time
citizens OF Virginia had been uhlawfully
impriSOned, had been separated from their
families, had been shut off from means OF
livelihood. and subjected to wrongs which
seemed to me to call for protest. That
protest was made respectfully but yigOr-
ously. and it is with pleasure the statement
is made that no occasion has been given to
repeat the complaint. There are certain
rules OF comfy and courtesy which should.
by q prescription rs strong rs law. exist
between the States OF the American
Union. More especially Ok no law and
no prescription eXisted) between the States
which for more than a century have had
towards each other a friendship born Of
community Of sentiment. These rules,
even under the dictates OF diverse interest,
virginia has been inclined to follow. SO
that when in 1892 q committee OF the Mary
land LEGISLATURE came TO Richmond to pro-
nose certain cnactmcnts which should
| formulate and cement the bonds between
the States. that committee was received in
the cordial spirit OF friendship and con-
Gdence, and the suggestions OF which
that committee was the medium met with
prompt endorsement. | quote now from
the regular message sent to your bodies
in December, 1888 Nv bile dealing with
subjects relating to the State of Mary
land. it is an eXigent duty to call your
attention to the manner in which this
commonwealth has been treated. In
March, 1882. a committee OF the LegiSla-
ture of that State came TO Richmond.
bringing with them the sketch OF Il bill
said TO represent their mode OF settlement
OF all questions OF dispute between the
two States. Referring to chapter lSG,
paee 1874, Acts OF 1SSl-S2, il will be found
that the Legislature OF Virginia promptly
passed and the Governor approved An
act TO define the true boundary line be-
tween Maryland and Virginia, to designate
the head lands upon the Potomac river,
and to prohibit unlawful oystering and
dredging on the Potomac river and POGO
moke sound This act was founded upon
joint agreement between the committees
of the General Assembly OF Virginia and
that Of MARYLAND, and was passed and ap-
proved at the request OF authorized repre-
sentatiyes OF the State OF Maryland, and
under the express condition that the State
Of MARYLAND would Immediately pass a
similar act. Our sister State, after inviting
orr action, singularly failed to respond.
The repeal is urgently recommended OF
chapter lSG OF the Acts Of 1SSl-'S2. ap-
proved March /, 1882"
Another committee Of the General As
sembly OF Maryland is soon TO visit us,
and the subject so long discussed without
result will be resumed. These gentlemen
composing the committee should be re-
ceiyed with courtesy and hospitality
which respect to guests and self-respect
require OF Virginia.
But to them should be positively con-
veyed the purpose Of Virginia's repre-
sentatives no more to make concessions,
after authorized solicitations, mourning
the chance Of having both ignored. 1t seems
to me now, recognizing fully the policy
az concurrent action between the States,
that the Maryland committee should be
asked To Obtain the LEGISLATION 1t recon-