Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-02-14
Reply to Senator Stubs.
TAppAuANNocK. February II, 1880.

To he Editor Of The Dispatch:
In your issue Of the Sd instant appears
an article from the pen of Senator Stubbs
upon the oyster question, to which feel
constrained to reply, especially as 1t is IN.
tended to reflect upon communication OF
mine which appeared III the Richmond
Times in December last.
/ quote from his letter: ITS not true,
as some 'solomons' charge, that politicians
are afraid to vote for taxation on the oyster
industry" 81,
| have read all the communications that
have appeared in the papers upon the
above subject and j have not seen tins
charge made in any other than my own
and | still believe it, notwithstanding the
denial of our Senator. and what is more
our people know that they are as much
afraid Of it as the dOg-tdr.
But disavow any claim to an aggrega-
ton of knowledge such as fell to the lot
of orr old friend Solomon. as claimed for
me by Senator Stubs. for l distinctly
stated that many of our 1idewater menu
bers of the Legislature know as much about
this matter as myself and some perhaps
more.
In writing the article was prompted by
but one motive-viz, to draw attention TO
the subject which / knew would bring
some relief to our over-burdened tax-pay-
ers, who were "bearing burdens too
grieyous to be borne"
Had been seeking popular preferment
am as well aware as our Senator that this
was not the road.
Senator Stubs admits that the boats
and vessels should be taxed, that planted
oysters should be taxed, the bedding
grounds should be taxed, and riparian
rights secured, &c. This was all claimed
as against our people.
| claimed that all oysters and fish carried
out of our waters should be taxed-the
first crock oystcrs) 10 cents per bushel and
the latter an dd rdiOren tax of 10 per cent
all of which would come out Of the con-
sumner, but / expressly stated that no tax
should be paid by our home consumer.
This. with the renting OF the planting
grounds, is the chief resources and from
which nearly all the revenue is to be OBJ
tanned.
Millions of bushels 90 to the northern
markets either in the shell or in canned
goods aud almost as many are taken out OF
our waters III the shape or plants (small
oysters) TO replenish the beds on the coast
OF Long Island, Connecticut, New York,
and New Jersey. Will any one object to
imposing liberal tariff upon thesel
Senator Stubs. If l mistake not. is
chairman of the Committee on the Chesa-
pcake and its Tributaries, and has been for
four years past.
By the report of the condition of the
State for the past fiscal year it appears
that the revenue obtained from oysters. in
GLIDING all sources, amounted to $4,000.
while the expense of collecting the same
was $4,000.
Is this creditable showing?
Senator Stubs states ho has been study
ing this question twenty years and admits
il is difficult subject to understand, and
that he has much to learn
With the above exhibit will not ques-
ton his conclusion. But Senator Stubs
admits with proper legislation and execu-
ton of the law at least ~l25,0O0 revenue
could be secured. am glad to see that
new light has suddenly dawned upon our
Senator and that SIR times az much revenue
can be secured from this source as he has
been enabled to get heretofore
May We not hope with little moro APP
plication 10 the subject he might increase
the amount skiold more. giving us $780,
600? This would look something like
reasonable income from this business.
lie speaks of an effort to oyer-tax, over
estimate, and exaggerate. Senator Stubs
is too good lawyer to dIscredit his own
witness.
What does the Hon. j. L. wilkins, Super
intendent of Fisheries, sayl
He makes the catch of oysters nearly
1000. 900 bushels. 1.-THE crab interest has
nearly us many engaged in II as the oyster
and is more profitable" II this is true from
those sources ten cents per bushel upon
oysters and 10 per cent. upon crabs would
Weld 81. 400. 900 This does not include the
tax upon fisheries. or boats, or planted or
fine quality of oysters, or the renting OF
planting-grounds. oil of which in the az
gregate would sum up between s2.00O000
and So, 100000.
This is feasible and practicable. but pro-
per legislation and supervision must be had
TO secure 1t.
In conclusion. Senator Stubbs claims that
Tidewater Virginia pays more tax now than
any other section of Virginia TO population,
and argues to obtain larger revenue from
this source would be an unequal and un-
Just burden upon her people.
II is not proposed to place this burden
upon our own people, but upon the con-
sumner outside Of the State. The only tax
we assume is on boats and rental on plant
fairgrounds. This surely cannot be OBJ
jected TO the Senator is willing to this.
My friend and representative. appeal TO
You to give this relief.
Like the Israelites Of old we are required
to make brick without straw. We have
endured 10! these many years untold trials,
which but increase upon us until pa
thence ceases u be virtue"
The tax-gatherer comes and strips many
Q homestead Of the last resource OF putting
bread in their childrcn's mouths and still
the clouds grow darker and difficulties in
crease. Is there to be no relief! When
are are our troubles to endY
AUBREY II. JOKES.