Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-12-11
MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA,


The ties which bind together Virginia
and maryland in lasting affections, in
mutual interest, in past memories, in pres
emit fellowship, and in future hopes, makes
the line which separates them so slender,
when traced on commonable ground. that
it is not surprising, al times, geographical
limits grow dim and the lawful powers Of
zach confused.
The act passed by the Virginia Legisia-
ture threw open certain oyster-grounds for
planting purposes, lying on tho Potomac
river and known as "Hog-Isaud Flats. y
10 accordance with law these lands were
assigned to G. R. Lewis. l. will be re
membered that commission, consisting of
three distinguished, Gisinterested citizens
Messys. Black, jenkins, and Reck-had
rendered decision az to this boundary
line, which to-day is binding on both
States. Their definition Of tho proper di.
vision line in this part OF the Potomac
river has been susceptible of more than
one construction. In order 10 get the
exact meaning of their award, his Excel
lency Governor Jackson, of Maryland, adj
dressed ne 81 communication proposing
that | should unite with him ia . request
| to the United States Coast Survey flee
| for the detail OF an officer of that depart
nlept who would, in the presence CT p COM
missioner from each Safe, l0oa'e the linP,
yh:eh 10 his opinion should represent the
| intention OF these Gast1g the award in
| 1877. The report OF tbio geniiegJan has
| been received and defines the boundary
line as running along the low-watar mark
or the Virginia shore, following the inden-
| tatons of that shore. Tho text of the
award CT 1877 directs that this line should
be run from. hsadIand to headland. In the
former case the disputza territory is thrown
within the Jurisdiction OF MARY land, and in
the latter within that of Virginia. The de
eision of tho United States Coast Survey
officer vonld not be binding on Virginia
under any circumstances until ratified by
Legislative action, and it is. therefore, to
be regretted that Governor 5aekson should
have issued proclamation WHICH xaad
mcles6 any citizen in the rights conferred
upon HIN hy Virginia law uptil her Legi5-
! latuIe. whose action with that of the Legis-
lature of his f5tate, could consider the sub
iect and finally dispose OF it, | feel that
| this General Assembly, as we'll as She cor
responding body of Maryland NOW soon to
assembly, will jointly arrive at solution
! Of the question at issue which will salts
| factorily protect to al concerned the inter
est of their respective States and not leave
ripple of rage upon a single wave Of the
great river flowing between them. Viz
ginia, by legislation, has solennly asserted
| her right to this water; it is my duty,
| therefore, as her Executive to protect the
property of those who have leased it under
| law.
have the honor TO submit all The papers
in my possession bearing upon the subject
CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO RAILWAY.
+, The State held II, 622 shares of stock of
the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Com
pany, arf uaeecr the plan, of reorganization
adopted by that compaas the said stock
was assessed at $S per ehare, vhloa eaanld
have caused tbs State to have paid upon
that stock $142 57o; " hile, at that time, it
was very d aubtful, in consequences of the
preferred classes of the stock and the hes7y
debt the road was carrying, whether it
would hsye paid auytbiug. Owing TO this
state Of affairs. the Legislature, in rcsolu-
ton approved Feb. "a, 1888, authorised the