The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-12-14
protaction for the Oyster.

Protection for the Oyster.
The special message relative to the oyster
industry which Mr.. Mckinney of Virginia
sent 10 the legislature of that state last
Wednesday is Of interest to people all along
the South Atlantic coast. In his message
the governor says: THE production Of
oysters is rapidly decreasing every year.
| So great hos been the falling off that it
would not be extravaganza to say that the
number of persons now engaged in the
business is not half 80 large as it was in the
year 1880. and the number of bus els caught
and sold are about half as many.
The price has been increased In pro-
portion 60 their scarcity until this
most delightful food, which should be
so cheap that all might enjoy it, has be-
come so dear as to be beyond the reach of
the poor. Many Of the oyster beds which
have been productive are now barren aud
worthless from the inju 1ici lus and reckless
manner in which they have been used by
those who have done nothing to recuperate
them aud all that they could do to exhaust
them. Some Of our best natural beds have
been destroyed-all of them greatly inn
paired. The 100000 acres which should
pay to the cultivators $500 ,O0O, 600 in gross
and to the state a revenue or 5000. 900. cost
the state in 1890 the sum of Sc GA 81 and
in 1891 So, 7S7 AZ over and above the reve-
nues deserved from their taxation,
being under our present system of
laws positive expense rather
than a source OF relief to our tax
burdened people. The hope for the oyster
in Virginia is in the planter. and he should
be offered every inducement because he pro-
| duces and protects" Ia order to build up
the oyster industry the governor suggests
legislation authorizing the appointment Of
q commission, composed Of men from differ
ent parts Of the state, TO look after the oys-
ter interests, a survey of all the oyster
lands and a division OF those outside
| Of all natural beds into lots to be rented to
the highest bidders for a term Of ten years
| He also suggests that the catching Of oys-
ters between April and Oct. l, be prohib-
tied. and that license tax be levied upon
| purse nets, pound nets, dredges and patent
tongs. He declares there ought to be law
to compel the culllng of oys ers aud TO pre-
vent the taking of seed oysters from the
| state.
1t is evident that the people along the
coast Of Virginia begin TO see that unless
| vigorous efforts are MADE to protect the
| oyster industry there will be comparatively
| few oysters in the waters OF that state
| within the very near future. There are
those who do not care about the future.
| Their aim is to get all the oysters they ca
az the present time with as little expense
as possible
There was a great deal Of opposition to
the enactment of an oyster law in this
state. The bill that was introduced at the
last session of the legislature. and which
| fiually became law. came very near being
defea ed. Even after it had passed both
houses a strong effort was made to induce
the governor to withhold bis signature from
it. 1t may not be the best law that could
have been framed, but it is a step in the
right direction.
II efforts were not made to protect
oysters Ia Georgia waters the oyster beds
would be soon destroyed. Within ten year,
Georgia oysters would be hardly known,
and their price would put them beyond the
reach Of poor people. Without proper pro-
| lection oyster planting could not be made
profitable, and, hence, would be abandoned
The most stringent laws for the protec-
ton of the oyster industry in this state are
needed, just as they are needed in Virginia.
II those who want the privilege of taking
oysters wherever they can find them should
be permitted to have their way there would
be no oysters for anybody in very short
time.
The oyster industry ought to have all the
protection that is necessary to encourage it
and make it prosperous. 1t is just as
legitimate an industry as farming or manu-
featuring, and those who invest their
money in it help the state as we'll as them
selves. The policy of the state should be 10
build up the industry and make it valua-
Bile.