Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1890-03-01
MAss.MEErIxa at AccoMAc q. i,
The People Protes. Against Lease of
Natural oyster Beds to G. u. Lewis
Bill Killed In the NOuse.

The People Protest Against lease of
Natural oyster Beds to G. u. Lewis
Bill Killed In the NOuse.
A mass meeting of the citizens or &C
comac, irrespective of political prefer
ences, and representing every avocation
and profession. assembled at Accomac
G. H.. last Monday, to protest against
tie passage of bill reported from the
finance committee Of the House OF Del
egates. TO lease to G. r. Lewis $500
acres of rrconoke sound. embracing
several Of the most valuable oyster beds
therein, was organized Gv the electio.
of DIR. John W. Bowdoin chairman and
John W. Fdmonds secretary.
On motion committee appointed to
draft resolutions reported the following
which we're unanimously adopted:
Whereas a bill has been reported by
the Finance Committee of the Virginia
House Of Delegates aprropriating to a
private individual more than three
thousand acres Of The most valuable
natural oyster grounds in the wal ers nf
Pocomoke sound. thereby depriving a
large number IF the Eastern Shnre oys-
termen OF the means. of subsistence
heretofore guaranteed to them ny the
laws of the State.
We. the people of Accomac county,
irrespective of political preferences, in
mass meeting ssemhled, do protest in
the most emphatic manner against the
enactmcn of such an unjust and iniqu-
tous bill into law.
These grounds from time immemor
ial have been held rs the proper ty of the
State for the benefit Of the people.
Nearly nine-tenths of the peorle of Ac-
comac county OH the bay side region
are engaged in the oyster business and
work in Pocomoke sound. The pros
perity of this county largely depends on
the preservation Of these beds for the
use of the people.
Should this bill become law, many
persons who have been engaged all their
lives in the oyster business. and have
invested all their money in boats and
oyster implements would have this
property rendered almost valuress and
be deprived of the only means of living
now open to them. The enactment Ut
such a law would be gross discrimina-
ton in favor of capital against the poor
oYstsrmen of the State. and strike down
a large and reputable element of our
population,
In the name of justice, humanity and
fair dealing, we protest against the
passage of such Il law. and we appeal to
the members OF the General Assembly
and our own Senator and Representa-
tives to exhaust every means to defeat
the consummation Of such an outrage
on the rights of the people.
Tile following delegates, viz: Messrs.
Jno. p. l.. Hopkins, Geo. W. Glenn,
l.. w. Childrev. .Ino. W. Fdmonds,
.Jno. r. Drummond, Cha,. p. Finney
and DR.. J no. w. Bowdoin, were select
ed at the meeting to lay before the A.
nance committee OF House of Dele
Gates said resolutions and to use all
other honorable efforts in their power
TO defeat the bill in question.
Messrs. Hopkins. Glenn, Childrey and
Edmonds. -four Of the delegates selected,
went to Richmond in accordance with
instructions given them, and together
with the representatives from the East
ern Shore were heard by finance com.
mittee OIL Wednesday. Assurances
received by members of said committee
and other represent atlves to whom the
injustice of leasing said oyster grounds
to Lewis was presented. that no such
legislation was possible. have been sincs
confirmed by kilograms received from
Mr.. Childrey, who remained behind tt
look after the matter until hill va:
called in House OH Thursday.
RICHMOND VA. Feb. 81, 1890.
PENINSULA ENTERPRISE:
Lewis hill came up in House THU
morning as per special order. Itwa
passed by. john Nicely here as counse
for Lewis. l will stay here until to
morrow. l.. w. CHILDREY.
2:48 p. m.
RICHMOND, Va. Feb. q, 1890.
PENINSULA ENTERPRISE:
Lewis bill Writ ually killed in House
No hope of getting it through this SEES
sion. Leave for home tonight.
2:50r. N. L. ". CuiLDrEY.