The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-12-05

VlRGlNlA'S EXECUTIVE WILL RE
MAIN FIRM.


Governor Jackson. of Maryland. Tenn
porariIy suspcnds His Proclamation
Afcr Consultation with the Attorney
General.
In his message yesterday Governor Lee
said that the ioeislaturos Of Maryland and
Virginia would probably find some solution
of the Hog Island boundary dispute. But
On the meantime it is not unlikely that the
two Governors may iinl it convenient TO
have pcrs4Hal conference on the subject.
Governor jackson. of Maryland. has with
drawn tenn porarily the proclamation de-
clarine the flats on Hog Island open to oys-
tormn Of both States. In an interview
with reporter of the Baltimore Stn Gov
crnor jackson said: d" II was foreign 10 my
thoughts i'm taking the step 10 do ANYTHING
that would inilict an injury lpcn Virginia.
But let me ask what would Probably have
been the course of the state of Virginia
Il Maryland had e,gycn lease for 5000
acres Of her territory Of that Common
wcelthi
"As Executive Of this state. il has been
my impression that the line of duty always
lies in the direction of having my legal posi-
lion undoubtedly correct. After that there
is no sentiment. such as may be exercised
between personal friends or neighbOrs. My
own opinions ina any matter do not weigh rs
against the execution of law knowing
we'll that commissioners had finally arbitrat-
ed the boundary line in 1871. coudnot have
considered anything that related 20 the
right 10 appoint arbitrators 10 lay OF the
boundary line. What ! did suggest was
that the superintendent of the United states
coast survey De asked 10 appoint an en-
ginecr 10 settle the question by defining the
established line. This was acceded to,
and there was no reference 10 arbltraiOrs or
legislatures in the letter from each side that
secured this agreement
~ regards the disputed waters, all my
information is 90 the effect that Lewis has
SECURED from Virginia lease of about the
best natural oyster beds m the Potomac, and
that the stories of his large OUTLAWS for
planting. etc.. are rather mythical. ! can
not see what the Maryland Legislature can
do i'm the matter. I'm my message, while
stating the incidents. there does not appear
Z. Zoe anything for me To recommend. The
Virginia legislature doubtless Will right its
error but where the Maryland Legislature
will come into the field remains for the Oc-
casion 10 discover
Acknowledgement Whyte, upon whose adj
vice General jackson acted, gave as his
opinion that .there can hardly be- any doubt
~ 10 the true boundary line between the
States al this late day. That matter was
settled conclusiyely 10y the award agreed 10
bV the STATES and sanctioned 10y Congress.
The line was distinctly defined 10y the ar
bitrators in the chart. filed with and made
part Of the award. The only point open at
the present iuncture viz: DO Hog Island
flats, leased 10 Mr.. Lewis under the Virgin
ia act Of February, lsSS. lie in the Potomac
river. beyond the line marked by the arbi-
traitors rs the southern boundary of Mary
land at the point indicatcdY And as | UNI
deistaud the decision of MIR. Whiting, such
j. the fact.
THE legal position taken by You in your
proclamation, which have now examined
nj your request. is undoubtedly correct. but
| am frank in saying that ! should have
withheld il until sufficient time was given
20 the Virginia Legislature to rectiiy the er-
ror into which IL has fallen, in the SUPPOSE
ton that their Commonwealth owned the
sill in the Potomac river which is covered
by the grant % Mr.. Lewis. He has, no
doubt. expended considerable sums Of
money under the authority OF Virginia, aud
until that State has had opportu.ty. after
knowledge of It's error, Ia idcmniiy him, II
would seem not lust 10 turn the dredgers OF
the two States upon the oysters which he
has planted under his lease.
IL do not doubt that the Legislatures of
the two states. both of which are about 10
meet. will take apt means Ia settle the diff
hculty on honorable terms, and until the
effort can bc honestly made, il wotld be jul
dicous not 10 resort 10 any measures cal
culated 30 widen the breach. There are, OF
course. LEGAL remedies 10 be resorted 10.
when amicahle OVcrtures are repealed. |
take the liberty 10 suggest that Your prOcla-
matiQn be temporarily withdrawn in view
OF the friendly letter OF the Governor OF Nir-
ginia of November %. lSSl. The honor aud
dignity Of the State can be best maintained
by friendly negotiation, and until that fails,
no act Of hostility against a sister Common
wealth is, In my judgment, iustitable."