The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-01-04
OycriauIlDg the Oyster tuestion'

ciectinc the Judge Of Botetourt county:
Ar $40 o'clock the House adjourned.
ovcrhauIing the Oyster Question.
sourrptSg ABOUT THE sUcCULEST BfyALvE-
now THEY BEHAVE AT HOME, AND HOW
VISITORS TREAT THEM.
II ian well-known fact'tbat the question
n, the oyster supply is one that Tor some
time has been giving those at all ZANZIBAR
with the growth and production Of oysters
n crest deal Of concern. Those VINO sit
before lunch-counter and dispose OF tnem
on the haIf-shell may perhaps lose
all idea OF the trouble 1t takes 10
secure an oyster in the delight u anords
the palate: but the dealers and the Marcy
men who use the tongs and work tue
dredges could tell him II they choosed.
Then the owners OF the oyster-beds-statc
and indiyidual-kno how hard matter
il Is TO protect their interests. Depreua-
lions daily occur, and at times the pirates
GROW so bold and so numerous tnat
the State has to be appealed 10 TOT
protection. II was on such OCCASIONS
within the last twelve months that GOVef-
nor Cameron went out with an armed lleet
for the purpose OF bringing 10 punishment
thc offenders. The Governors eXpeci-
tions. however, did not break up The law
less dredging. and so much t?lk was heard
and so many complaints made that the
Committee on the Chesapeake and IFS III
butaries began at IN early day to look INTO
the matter for the purpose OF deYisihg
measures OF relief. II possible.
In order tn facilitate affairs. sub-com-
mttee was appointed, with Mr.. "A. Brown
Evans as chairman, and last night at g
O'Clock the committee met in the hall OF
the House OF Delegates for the purpose OF
comforting with all citizens who might be
DISPOSED to be present ard give their views
upon the important question o. oyster m
terest.
Judge Joseph Christian spoke At length.
showing the wealth Of oysters that lay hid
den in the waters OF Virginia. He said
their value Appropriated that Of the gold
mines OF California, and yet the state OF
virginia allowed pirates to daily take away
thousands OF dollars worth Of oysters
without one cent OF tax being paid.
Judge Thomas Christian also made
speech. in which he showed familiarity
with the boundaries OF the Oys;er-bed>.
Mr.. Orris A. Brown, OF AccOmac. IN
ex-Confederate naval officer, (haying at The
close Of the war Il commission on the
Shenandoah was invited to address the
meeting. He said that under the act Of
1861 the income from the oyster tax
amounted to $4,000; 4 few years LATER,
800. 600. and then lower. until the present
amended law was one OF the biggest
patches OF red tape and nonsense that ever
was, and hardly paid expenses.
I'm referring to OySter-planting, he said
that If was necessary TO have shell fOunda-
ton FOR the oyster TO catch hold OF. After
an oyster is prOpagated IL remains floating
in the water for three days: then IT must
have something to catch hold OF. The
dredees tear up and destroy these young
oy,iers. After awhile it is necessary to
dredge the beds, in order to prevent the
oysters from growing one upon another;
but If the dredging now being done
is continued. Mr.. Brown declared. 1t
would destroy the Oyster-bcds on The VIZ
einiu coast. He thought the best plan
to procure suitable steamer and Jour
sailing vessels. and let them patrol the wa
ters Of the Chesapeake and keep OF the p
rates. Il would cost about go, GOO to balc
these vessels built. The steamer ought 10
carry two guns, and the other vessels one
each. For the steamer it would hc ncce>-
sarv to have a captain who sh0uld CONF
mand the whole feet. pilot, an engineer.
fireman. cook. and four deck-hand-. Each
OF tie sailing crafts would have crew Of
four men.
The committee had quite a lengthy ses-
sion and heard very fun discussion Of the
merits OF the question. II will formulate a
blll, and then take this to the Governor and
get bis views and Opirions OH il. and with
a bill so prepared will come before the
Legislature with If ioradoption. From the
way Chairman Evans has set to WoIk. it
may be safe to infer that a bill answering
all the ends requisite will be presented TO
the Legislature.
CaEcIs.
There will be 4 caucus OF the Democratic
members OF the General Assembly tonight
at o'clock to nominate Judge OF Botctouit
county and for other business.