Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1890-01-09

Six thop1apd dollars, besides large
number Of acfeWm6n and laboferA al
an annual cost 81 about filty-thousand
dollars.
Looking TO more efficient and
economical administration / recon
mend that the law be changed that
warehouses numbered one aud two,
except old number FIVE warehouse,
now used az1an annex to one Of those
houses, be closed and rented for stor-
age that instead Of the present large
number Of expensive officers there
should be one inspector at a salary Of
two ihousand dollars, three deputy
inspectors at salariss Of twelve hun
dred dollars each, one chief clerk at
a salary Of twelve hundred dollars,
and Elk assistant clerks at salaries Of
eight hundred dollars each.
This change will effect saving Of
fourteen thousand and four hundred
dollars per annum III salaries alone,
which with very large reduction
that can be made in The cost of screw
men and laborers ought TO save the
State not less than twenty FIVE thou
sand dollars per annum after payment
Of ordinary repairs, FIRE insurance aud
ground rents.
Several Of the warehouses are ia
very bad condition and require imme-
date and extensive repair"
OYSTERS.
No industry Of this State will
probably require your careful con-
alteration to a greater extent than
the oyster question It has grown 10
importance within thirty years, and
it's growth has been 60 rapid that
those who have studied il most closely
are unableqto make recommendations
with any degree Of confidence, and All
Legislation on the subject will be in
measure experimental.
The markets are constantly growing
and the means Of transportation con-
SANITY increasing, aud a demand is
made on the beds that IL causing them
to be seriously depleted. At present
the prices are remunerative and tho
people engaged in the taking satisfied
and accomplishing.
During last season some persons
engaged in dredging undertook 10
resiet arrest and set at defiance the
State Fishery Force. The prompt
and courageous action OF the officers,
however, sanctioned and sustained bY
the courts Of justice, has put an end
TO such thingh aud the Force ia now
able TO enforce obedience to the laws.
The present condition is therefore
much more satisfactory than it has
heretofore been. and we should per-
haps be slow to interfere with the ex-
listing legislation.
1t seems, however, absolutely neces-
sary 10 look short distance into the
future in the matter Of propagation
and cultivation.
think these questions should be
met and suggest q few points for your
consideration.
First. To require al oysters to be
closely culled on the bara where taken
and prohba the sale Of oysters lees
than fixed sizs, say y inches 10
length.
Second. TO prevent, al far as pos.
sible, the taking OF oysters from this
State to be planted il the waters Of
other States.
Third. TO permit the planting 81
oysters in this State during the closed
season.
Fourth. TO employ the boats Of
the State Fishery Force during the
closed season 10 distributing ahells 70
catch lhesbat.
Fifth. To limit the time for taking
oyaters, with both dredge aud sorapee,
so that it should begin the lat Of
November and end on the 2lst Of
March.
These provisions, ia the first place,
wonld give the smsll oysters another
year 10 grow and probably more than
double their size and quality, would
keep at home our seed oysters and
increase our supply, and, az the same
time, would not foster and sustain the
beds Of other States which at present
are in competition with our markets.
To secure these ends II may be
required 10 stop absolutely the catch.
ing Of al oysters 10 the montha Of
April and Nay, 10 which months the
foreign planters make thar purehaees.
/ would further suggest that you
inquire into the feasibility Of appoint
ing a oommission 10 examine the
waters Of the State and report upon
the condition Of the beds and bare,
aud, where they have been entirely
depleted. leas or rent the same for q
term Of years 10 such manner az your
Judgment may dictate.
Dredging was frst authorizsG by
| the Legislature Of 1865, upon the PEI
tition Of those interested ii dredging,
at which time the petitioners promis-
ed and agreed to pay such an amount
for license az would support q proper
police force.
The license, which was at that time
fixed at SO per ton, has been reduced
until it now yields much less than is
now required for the support Of the
force. Something must be done to
relieve this condition, or this service
will become tax upon the other 10
I