Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-02-13
The Oyster Question.
To Nle E1itor Of Me Dispatch:

To he Editor Of 0te Dispatch:
Having occupied more of your space on
the oyster question than l ever contem-
plated, | wish to take leave OF the SUD-
jet with the following questions: which
will, think. suggest some food for the
thoughts of others:
/. What is natural rock?
2. When is what was a natural rock ex-
tinct and open to assignment TO planters!
8. Ought natural rock to be assigned
or not?
4. If natural rock, or an extinct rock,
or suitable oyster-ground ought to be as
signed, shouldit be assigned for year, as
In Virginia, or five years, or ten years, or
twenty years, as in Rhode Island. or IN
perpetual lease, conditioned on actual Gull
tivation to revert TO the State when that
actual and bona fcle cultivation ceases, as in
Connecticut and New York?
3. What is the difference between such
lease (perpetuaD and deed III fee III prac-
tical results, and what determines the
choice between them?
G. Should the lease be for nominal sum,
as in Virginia. Connecticut. New York. and
North Carolina, looking tosthe assessment
of the oysters for revenue, or for gross
sum per acre without assessment, as III
Rhode Island!
7. Which is best--a net revenue OF
g.. O91 10 on 7S,167 56-100 acres, as IN Con-
necticut Oast report, or S9.975, as in Rhode
Island last information February g, $780,
on 100 acres2
8. Should dredging be allowed?
o. Should longing be restricted to ordi-
nary tongs, and, If so, what is an ordinary
tong2
TO- Should the owner be allowed to use
such tong, or q dredge, on his own ground
as his Judgment dictates and determines!
IL. Should the number of acres to he
held by any person or corporation be limit
ed or unlimited? Should the poor man
have o chance or should it all pass in the
hands of the capitalist and of the syDdl-
cate?
IL. Should an Inspector be person di-
rectly interested in the cultivation and sale
Of oysters, or an impartial person without
the bias of self-interestS
IS. What is the proper pay OF an inspec-
tor. and should he be paid his fee every
three months when the licenses are given.
or one fee for the entire year
H. Should the ground assigned be first
accurately surveyed, 80 the deed, lease,
and survey could be relied on and re-
corded, or should il be guessed ut without
a surveyor. or with surveyor ana piece
of wire, with imperfect instruments, I'M
perfect sight, and with. perhaps, imperfect
informationy :.
10. What is the cost of the perfect and i'm
perfect survey, aud on whom should II fall!
&c. What is roughing oysters! 80
II. What is rough-culling!
IS. Where should it occur. and why2
10. Should the nonresident be allowed to
come in and have our ground assigned to
him Has that been his policy towards us2
20. Is the natural bed just as essential to
the tongman for his - mess of oysters" as
it is TO the planter for % seed. 90 for cul-
tivation aud sale and if these natural beds
will ultimately pass into the hands of the
planters. is il not just q little polite to go
a little slow-jestiad iepte--to keep down
dissensions. and. in JefIerson's language,
Ito keep the head and tail together y?
81. If these questions are new, intricate,
and vastly important. and cannot be pro-
perly answered by one man in five thou
sand in all Tidewater Virginia, If they can
be, as they have not been. answered by
any one man at all. ought the Legislature
of Virginia to undertake to solve them IN
the expiring hours of its session.; or ought
il to correct some of the known and glaring
defects Of the present. law and leave
the settlement Of definite policy TO an
other session. to which competent per-
son could report on all these and other
matters, and give his reasons for his op.in-
ions, so that the Legislature could delibe-
rately weigh and consider them?
X. S. THOMAS.