The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-10-25
THE OYSTER QUESTION.
Senator Rice's Objections to Some OF
the Features OF the Postell Law.

senator h1c6s objections 60 SONS OF
the Features OF the Posten Law.
Those interested in the practical culture
and protection of oysters in Georgia waters
have taken deep interest in the joint reso-
luton of Senator Rice providing for the
| appointment of commission to thoroughly
investigate the subject Of oyster farming,
and report TO the next general assembly
what additional legislation, If any, viii
further the practical cultivation OF oysters
| in Georgia waters, SO that the industry
may reach such proportions as have been
reached in other oyster-growlng states,
where wise legislation has resulted III
making Oyster-farming one of the most
productive industries on the Atlantic coast.
There is a general feeling among those in
terested in building up the industry In this
section that the Postell law. enacted at the
present session of the general assembly
is crude and the real interest of this
section will be enhanced by an amended
law patterned after existing laws in other
oyster gro ing states.
A gentleman of this city interested in
oyster culture says that Senator Rice, the
author of the resolution for the appoint
ment of an oyster commission succinctly
showed the inadequacy of the POstell law.
Senator Rice's objections are somewhat
lengthy, but they will be read with interest
in this section. He says:
81 object to the law because, first, oyster
privileges are granted to residents and nom
residents alike, while the laws of other oys-
ter states, notably Connecticut, New Jersey,
Maryland, and Virginia, make it a crime
for any persons except bona fide residents
of the state for from six months to one
year, to have anything to do with planting
or catching oysters, or with oyster beds.
So Under the Postell law leases are to be
for fifty years for in-shore water, and
ninety-nine years for deep water.
"In Connecticut all the natural oyster beds
are owned either by the state or the different
towns. No franchise in a natural oyster or
clam bed can be granted to any person, and
such grant, if made, reverts to the state.
In Virginia all leases, grants and privileges
are revocable at the pleasure of the legisla-
ture at the end Of eighteen months from the
passage Of the revoking act.
"3. By the Postell law lessees pay only
once, when they get their leases and no
more rent for fifty or nj lety mine years, as
the case may be. In New Jersey captains
of boats engaged in catching, planting and
growing oysters take out license for one
year az price fixed by the committee of
captains. In Maryland licenses issue yearly,
and are good only from Oct. Is
to April l. Licenses are fixed
at 50 a ton, boat measure. In Virginia
riparian owners and those who have Ioca-
tions assigned to them for planting oysters
take revocable leases, and must pay an in
spector's fee of 81, and annually rent of
20 cents an acre.
"a. No provision is made in the Postell
law to prevent speculation and monopoly
by assignment or transfer
'In Connecticut a person is liable to fine
who procures the designation of place for
planting oysters for the purpose of assign
ing the rights for profit or speculation. In
Maryland the annual license can be trans
ferred once to a bona fide resident of Mary
land.
So The method of taxation in the Georgia
law is not sufficiently particularized.
IN Connecticut and Virginia oyster
grounds are specially returned.
70. No power is reserved to the leglsla-
ture to amend or repeal tue act
lin Virginia this right is expressly re-
served to be exercised at the pleasure of the
legislature, as has been heretofore stated.
In Connecticut, natural oyster beds are
public property, as they also are in New
Jersey and Maryland, SO that those states
have never parted with the control of these
valuable proDertiesn