The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-02-06
MEETING THE MARYLANDERS.
Session Of Senate ana House Com
mittecs Under whose Supervision
the Oyster Question Comes
Nothing Definite Done.

Nothing Definite Done.
The House Committee on the Chesapeake
and Its Tributaries and the Senate Com
mittee on Fish and Game met in the ha |
OF the House OF Delegates last night to
confer with the special delegation OF men,
bers OF the Maryland Legislature in rela
ton to the boundary line Of Maryland and
Virginia, and more especially to ascertain
more definitely the rights OF the States in
the waters OF the Potomac river and POGO
mOke river.
The two committees had an informal
talk before they were called to order by
Judge Christian, the chairman of the Ches-
apeake and its Tributaries. In doing so,
Judge Christian made very pretty speech
OF welcome, in which he alluded in elO-
quent terms to the close ties Of friendship
that had always existed between the States
Of Virginia and Maryland. He referred
also to the great interest which the two
Legislatures are to consider in the matter
of protecting the oyster-beds in the waters
OF the two States. Judge Christians re-
marks were so well-timed and evinced
such an amount OF hOspitabIe intent that
the Marylanders were forced to applaud
him.
Mr.. George B. Seth. of Maryland i'm
quiet and sensible talk, explained the OBJ
iect OF the visit OF the Maryland delegates.
lie said. IN answer to certain questions,
that the oyster fund OF the State OF
Maryland amounted to 5000, 0,000. and that
the increase last year was about $4,000
MIR. Seth laid down two propositions
first, that the citizens OF each State should
be allowed to take out licenses IN each
State, and then ply their trade OF oyster
ing. or else that boundary-line be de-
fined, and each State made to conform to
this imaginary line. He declared that the
Legislature OF Maryland did not intend
any reflection upon Virginia IN refusing to
accept the present law, enacted in 1882
Mr. Seth also spoke in courteous tones of
the reception accorded the delegation by
our Legislature.
SIR. Gill, OF Maryland. next addressed
the meeting. He said that il the citizens
Of Maryland had equal rights with the cit
iZens OF Virginia in the Oyster-beds OF the
Potomac, that under the compact OF 1915
they had equal right TO the oyster-beds in
PocOmoke river. He discussed this ques-
ton at some length, and claimed that the
citizens OF Maryland had equal right to
take oysters in the POcOmOke river, be-
caUsc Pocomoke river, as defined in the
compact referred to. extended to the
waters OF the Chesapeake bay.
Judge Stuart. Of Virginia, said thet the
Board Of Arblrators made distinction
between the PocOmoke river and POcomOke
sound in settling some years ago ,thc
boundary line between the two States.
Mr.. HodsOn. Of Maryland, said the dele
CATION came down, as most delegations OF
the kind did. without power TO bind the
Legislature they represented. They came
almost as soon Il appointed, and could not
speak with certainty as to what the >enti-
mcnt OF the Maryland Legislature was.
He believed that if the committee agreed
upon any measure, and recommended it to
the Legislature, it would be adopted. In
alluding to suggestion that Maryland
should stop dredging, he said i. would be
aS well to talk about turning back the
wheels OF time Is to talk about aboliShing
any lab0r-Saving machine. Dredging was
simply a labor-savlng method OF taking
oysters. In order to take the oysters in
deep water it was necessary to use the
dredge, which was only a labor-saying
tong, worked by wind instead OF the hand.
Mr.. HodSon declared that he did not
think his people would be satisfied with
detintive settlement OF the boundaries OF
the Potomac with a similar settlement OF
the waters OF the Pocomoke river left out.
Mr.. HodsOn spoke for nearly an hOnr, dis
cussing the system OF police by steamers,
the worth Of oysters, the necessity Of pro-
lection. the boundary between the States,
and many other questions connected with
the oyster interest.
Judge C. X. Stuart said that the State OF
Virginia had every right in the waters OF
the Potomac river that Maryland had.
This was shown in the decision OF the
courts and the matter OF common effort
made by the Legislatures of the two States
to protect the Oy ster interest. He said that
Yiryinia could not consent TO part with
her sovereignty over the POcOm0ke sound,
and. rs a member of the House OF Dele
gates Of Virginia, he would never vote to
rclinquish VirgInia's right to one inch OF
the ground given her by the Black-Beck
Commission. He said ii PocomOke sound
and Pocomokc river were identical, then
the Chesapeake bay and the Atlantic ocean
were the saine-onc was sound, the
other river.
Judge stuart objected to the idea OF OBJ
purpose OF dredging. 1t would take con-
current legislation to revoke this, and. be-
sides, as he understood the matter, the
great bulk OF oysters laid on the virginia
side, and it would be giving greater
privilege for lesser one.
Mr.. Legg, OF Maryland. said that the
policing OF the Maryland waters cost the
State OF Maryland $4,000 lat year, and,
notwithstanding this, the force was very
inefficient.
On motion, the Chair appointed com
mittae consisting OF Messrs. Evans and
stuart on the part OF the House. and Mr..
Fletcher on the part Of the Senate, to meet
a committee from the Maryland delegation
to-day at 10 o'clock for the purpose OF
forming some definite plan; after which
the committee rose.
The Maryland men made fine impress
sion.