Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1891-02-07
District, embracing Sykes Island and

| DlSLrlcJ, embracing sykes island aIlu
Messongo Neck, inhabited by peo-
pie who get their livelihood solely out
of the waters of Pocomoke Sound and
adjacent waters, numbering about
200 oystermen. Their boat property
worth now $1,000, Is years ago was
not worth one-third of this amount,
land Is years ago which could be
purchased for from SIS to $50 per acre,
to-day is worth from 500 to 5000 pei
acre, and other property in the same
proportion, upon which valuation
our people pay taxes to this Common
wealth.
Does it not seem clear to any rea-
sonable and unbiased mind that the
oyster industry is paying indirectly
to the State its pro rata of tax? We
feel confident that the lawmakers of
this State will consider the matter
fully before they act. and when they
do act it shall be characterized by
wisdom and forethought.
We don't ask the State to appro-
pirate any funds for the protection
of the oyster beds, other than that
paid in by oystermen in the shape OF
licenses, etc., for that specific pur-
pose. And if the revenue thus de-
rived is not sufficient to meet the re-
quirements of the protecting force,
then we are willing to pay more
taxes to make it sufficient.
We are not anarchists as we have
been called, but freemen contending
for our rights and privileges, which
guarantee to us peace and plenty.
We would be less than men, yes, en-
tirely unworthy the name of freemen
if we did not raise our voices in de-
nouncing a proposed measure so det-
ri1nental to our best interests.
No, Mr.. Editor, we cannot remain
silent while the forgers are preparing
/, chain with which to shackle our
hands and then to pass us over to a
set OF monicd masters, slaves, for all
time.
Mr.. r. would hold ont the idea,
that our oyster law is a failure, and
thu oyster industry is dead or dy-
ing, bnt he cannot persuade us to be-
linve it in the face of the fact, that
thee has been more money realized
from the waters of Pocnm Ike Sound
by citizens of Accomacll for thc nast
two oyster seasons than eve" before
in ti!e same length of time. Conse-
qnently we do not feel tie necessity
of following the example Of Co"nec-
ticut. All we require is an amend
ment to the present law so as to re-
quire oysters to be culletl on the
rocks, and the shells aud unmark q! u
BILE oysters be thrown back on tile
bottoms where they wee spawned,
End the industry will take care of
itself.
Connecticut's oyster industry has a
capital investment of S3,322 II. Fer
catch of the past year amounted to
! 81 , egg ) 4G, wages paid 1924 laborcrs
was Se63. 5G2, or $2.57 Per employee,
this includes skilled worllmsn also,
leaving nice little dividend to shove
down into the pocket; f the monop-
olists, of SaG9.594, or over 90 per cent.
of the money invested. This beats
tariff out of sight. in making tho
''rich man richer and the poor man
poorer" inasmuch as it takes the
natural bottoms from the multitude
and places them in the hands OF a
few 1nonied kings; and the State is to
pronounce this state of things pro-
lection and preservation Of tho indus
try according to Mr.. Brownies theory,
but we fail to see it in that light, and
offer this our protest in reply.
UNITED OYsTERaIIlN.