Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-26

natural rocks anu seconh, tbo Isisihb
of his own seed from the embryotic
spat With seod-oysters from the
natural rock be can raise one crop OF
marketable oysters in three years. With
seed oysters from the spat il takes five
wears 70 make one crop With seed
from the natural rock, care being taken
TO select the oyster that is adapted to the
water and bottom of the assignment >
for which it is wanted, crop OF oysters,
either poor or fat, marketable or unmar-
ketable, can be confidently looked for
the third year, while strike or
catch from the spat is always matter
OF chance.
"All our oyster legislation OF the past
has provided for the reservation OF the
natural rock as common for all the
people and it is a provision that cannot
be too often repeated.
HOW VIRGINIA SHOULD DEAL WITH THIS
OYSTER QUESTION.
"To one who is seeking the proper
policy for the State to follow in dealing
with this oyster question this inquiry
presents itself: Ii a natural rock once
depleted never RECEIVERS its former pro-
ductiyeness, what can the State do to re-
store the industry ? 1t can restore the
industry by encouraging the planting OF
oysters. Our oysterfshing must be
supported by oyster culture. hereto
fore we have been like the Indian, sub
sisting on the bounty OF nature, but we
can follow the chase no longer, as the
game has been destroyed. We must
now till the land under water as our an
cestors TILED that above water when the
forests no longer afforded them an ade-
auate support. What encouragement
does the Virginia oyster-planter want
No more than that which is given to
the oyster-growers of other States
with whom the Virginia planter
comes into competition. Would thus
encouragement entail a burden upon
the State, would 1t diminish her reve-
nues? 1t would entail no burden upon
the State on the contrary, 1t would
greatly increase her revenues and give
employment to thousands whose occu-
patton would otherwise be gone when
the natural oyster-rocks are hnaly
broken up. The Virginia oyster
planter wishes to bear his share OF the
burden Of taxation. We enjoy alike the
blessings of good government and we
are willing to pay our proportion OF Its
expense. We simply desire no I'M
necessary increase of our taxes. and we
want better tenure.
AS WITH LANDS ABOVE WATER.
"Before proceeding to enlarge upon
this / would like to show how different
our method is of dealing with waste and
abandoned lands above water.
"From time immemorial our State
has parted with her waste and unappro-
priated lands above water for nominal
sum. Section 675 of the Code Of 1887
provides that any person desiring to
purchase any waste or inappropriate
land that is authorized by law to be sold
shall pay into the State Treasury ten
cents for each acre of the same, and
upon q further compliance with the
requirements OF the chapter whether
there be under the said land gold
mine, an iron-mine, or coal-mine the
Register Of the Land Office is required
to issue grant for the same. This
method of dealing with waste and I'M
appropriated land above water has al
ways been approved of and 1t is right
that il should be. 1t is not the pro-
vince Of the State to be landlord, but
little development could come from the
assumption of such q function. If Vir-
ginia had retained the title to her pub
lie lands above water by permitting
their occupancy only upon the payment
of an annual rental and the renter to be
but tenant at will, the railroads that
are ramifying the State, the magic cities
that are springing up, the boomers
and the promoters that are changing
ing the face of the Commonwealth 80
rapidly that we can hardly keep track OF
the changes-all these would be unknown
and our present development would be
but a few steps in advance OF that Of Co
lonial Virginia.
1.-The waste and inappropriate lands
above water that are authorized to be
sold by the Register of the Land Office
are of but little worth while IN posses
sion OF the State. The very ownership
OF the State prevents them from having
value. They cannot be worked or I'M
proved by the State, consequently they
produce no revenue for 1t and are OF
no advantage TO the community. But
when the State once parts with them,
however trifing the consideration, they
begin to pay revenue to the Common
wealth. If the underlying gold-mine,
iron-mine, or ooal-mine is developed,
the revenue increases. The inherent
power of the State follows and controls
this property for the purpose OF taxation
through all the changes OF time. 1t can
not become valuable to its owners with
out becoming relatively valuable to the
State. Herein is the source of indi-
vidual prosperity. Herein lies the well
fare OF the State"
THE POLICY N OTHER STATES.
"What has been the policy in other
States, Mr.. McMenamin ?"
This method of selling waste and
abandoned lands above water has been
adopted and applied to the lands under
water by all the coast States that are
now engaged in successful oyster cult
walton, as the true solution of the oyster
question. Connecticut was the first to
adopt it. When the area of her natural
rock had dwindled down to 5000
almost barren acres she had these
surveyed, marked oil, and re-
served as a common for all the
people. The balance Of the land
under water that was not natural rock
she offered for sale at one dollar an acre