The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-11-27
OYSTER CULTURE AND THE OEM-
IMR BILL.

Land Owners Along the Coast Have
Some Rights as Well as the Oyster
Gatherers.
Editor Morning Ne,rS: 1 have read with
some interest the bill prepared by DR.. A.
Oemler of this county, for the purpose of
protecting and promoting the culture of
oysters along the Georgia coast. Whatever
others may say favorably or unfavorably
of this bill, one fact stands cut prominently
before the public scrutiny, and that is that
DIR. Oemler'S efforts have been Inspired by
a prudent apprehension of the necessarily
destructive results of the methods now en-
ployed in taking oysters from their natural
beds, and by a laudable desire TO improve
these methods. Thus, on the one hand,
we are confronted with the destructive
processes now existing; and, on The other
hand, we have a bill claiming to be remedy
for such processes The curious picture
that presents itself to my mind is the total
obliviousness of the bill and the "Oyster
catcher" to the rights of the landowners
along the coast, and the seeming lack of
apprehension In the bill, or the ''oyster
catcher" that laws might be framed to
promote oyster culture, break up destruct-
i've processes, protect the FISHERMAN, and
at the same time recognize and. to some ex-
tent, give return to the landowner, who
is, under existing laws, and who would still
remain, under the proposed bill, the
were being everlastingly plucked by
both measures. Let me explain:
/ purchased Rosedew plantation
and island, with a long river frontage
of marsh attached to my highlands on both
the Vernon and Little Ogeechee rivers. On
these marshes my cattle roam and feed.
They are a part of my domain, and, with
DIV hos
actual right to traverse them than to take
the run of my cornfields. He may fish
along the river and row or sail his boat
across short lines through the marshes,
when tides permit, provided he does not
disturb any fixture of the soil.n Fish and
terrapin not being fixtures of the soil, but
fodters Uith the currents, l can only stop
his taking them by complying with certain
reasonable legal requirements, and then
only in definite localities. This is all right
and proper.
But are oysters "floaters with the tides?'
On the contrary, are they not as much fix
lures of t he soil as the cedar on the mar
gins of the highlands, which no man can
cut without my consent!
Again, il any man upon the payment of
small fee to the county. can locate him
self along my lines at his pleasure, what
protection have | got for my cattle and
other stock! He is located there i'll direct
violation of my rights and interest, an an
tagonism follows from the dangers una
voidablv incident to the circumstances, and
personal conflicts occur beyond peradvent-
ure. l can conceive of no greater calamity
to the residents and owners of our salt
water lines, especially IN the present state
of our population.
On the other hand, very large amount
of money has been invested in these coast
places, nearly all of them returning little
l.. La.
is made to protect him as to his oyster
planting lines, he can either use his oppor-
tunities himself or sublet such privileges to
others who will use them; and in this way
he will derive his legitimate income from
his property, personal antagonisms and con-
fiictS will be avoided, because the interests
of the lessor and lessee will be mutual, and
the stock and other interests of the land
lord will suffer less danger. Indeed, the bulk
of provisions for arrest, fines, ETC., in the
Oemler bill will have very little reason for
existence, especially such as section IL, en-
powering masters of licensed canoes,
bateaux, sloops and schooners, NTH or
Without Warrant, to arrest, etc, very
dangerous and trouble-breeding clause and
certain to result in murderous conflicts. l
an not in favor of allowing oysters taken
for market along our coast before cool
weather This does not usually occur be-
fore Oct 10, and it would be still better TO
let oysters remain in the water until Nov l.
They may be eaten safely when freshly
taken, even in warm weather, but spoil
very rapidly after exposure out of the
water, and are frequently in a slightly
fermented condition when carried any
distance to market before cold weather sets
in. do not see why we should permit
even the dealers to purchase and slip them
away from here before it can be prudently
done, when it is for the best interests of the
whole community to wait until the oyster
gets in good condition for local enjoyment,
as well as for shipment elsewhere. / am
not in favor of letting Savannah suffer to
oblige northern, western or up-country
palates, particularly when such unwise
indulgence so positively damages the culture
and development Of the oyster itself. indie
dependent OF the serious detraction from
our local needs.
There are many marshes totally sur
rounded by navigable streams and contain
ing no habitable highlands to which some
of DIR. Oemler's suggested bedding, or
catching public statutes might very well
be applied; and it is easy to see that the bot
toms of large sounds, wide rivers, and like
bodies Of water. might TO some extent in
r..N. l. n.