Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-27
oYsTsR-msN's RIGHTS.
The Governors Pocket yeto-Judee Gar
netps Explanation as to Ills Lease.
fFor The Dispatch.


MATHEWS COURTHOUSE, Va. Nav 29.--Tbe
matthew's Oyster-Planters' Association held
moetng at tho courthouse this afternoon for
the purpose OF electing delegates TO n conyentIon
OF oyster-men 70 be held at Cape Charles In july
next Captain /. II. Thurston nresIded ovay th q
meeting and In brief but practical speech show.
"a thet the interest Of both the planter and
tonger could be best subserved by united and
harmonious action, and TO this end declared the
meeting open 10 participation 20 all who desired
10 bo heard ON the oyster question
Judge q. T.. Garnett being called upon urged
the same view, declaring that all differences,
reai @ ana dlinaSuary ,suosstise between the tonger
and planter should be ignored and that a splrlt
OF iair and liberal compromise should charac-
teriIo the deliberations Of every body held In
1ldeWater, for, said he, in union lies our strong
est safeguard, while factional division would
1eopardize our best interest. The fact was ad-
verted 70 that tho oyster bin formulated and
adopted by the almost unanimous vote OF both
houses OF the last General Assembly was gen.
eraily accepted by our people and the present
t1ecuiiFe was censured for his pocket veto Of
said bill "
ANAss-MEETIs0.
Tho all-absorbing question OF oysters having
oy lnls ume attracted large assemblage OF citl-
lens, a motion was adopted that tho election Of
delegates be Tor the present postponed and that
the meeting OF the Oyster-Pianters' Association
give way Tor mass-meeting OF citizens which
immediately organized with Captain /. B. Thurs
ton chairman and A. j. Miller secretary. The
OBJECT ot this meeting, as was clearly indicated
during tho deliberations Of the Oyster-Plantersi
AssOciation, was an adjustment Of certain com
growing out Of the lease by certain planters OF
public bottom alleged TO be natural rock.
Judge Garnett, who ~ associated with DIR. J.. b.
nundley, sidney Mathews, and T. Is. Aldrich, in
the rental OF 200 acres Of bottom on Putty Bar,
Moolack Bay, stated that he had learned with
much pain and regret that the territory leased
ny them was claimed by the tongers as natural
Iock mat the ground was rented only after re-
lty IuaV Con
bottom was not natural rock, and had he enter
taincd suspicion that he was Infringing UPON
the rights of any citizen he would not have ac-
cepted the lease as a gilt
TIE JUDGES DEFENCE.
Judge Garnett said that as Judge Of the County
Court his rulings, as all well know, we're for the
strict conservation OF the rights OF the tOnger as
defined by statutes, and that WHILE of course, his
paramount object in renting what repre-
scnted and believed TO be waste bottom was "a
propagate oysters from the plantingo OF shells for
profit, yet he was satisfied In his own mind that
the general planting Of shells would largely ex-
tend the field Of labor TO the tonger and insure
lucrative employment upon bottoms long aDan.
doned as Improbable towork.
INVESTIGATION ASKED.
He also stated that he desired the fullest and
most searching inquiry In tho matter and to
vindicate himself and associates would move
that committee Of reliable mon be appointed
70 investigate the said bottom and that II said
committee shall ascertain that any part Of tho
claim is natural rock and not subject TO rent
that the same be released by them, the stakes
removed, and the ground restored 70 the tCngeI
forthwith. Carried.
On motion OF Mr.. James p. Thurston II was order.
ed that committee composed OF twelve tonger:
and twelve planters be appointed by tho chair e
inquire az 10 all the bottom taken upon Putty
Bar and North MObjack Flats and report on the
18Th of June next v nat, If any, natural rock ha:
been taken mp, the character Of the bottom, the
number Of bushels Of oysters and clans thai
may be caught per day upon the same, the value
of same, and other facts which in the judgment
Of said committee are pertinent 10 said investi-
CATION.
OTHER SPEAKERS.
After brief remarks by Henry Crabb, J. w
Dixon, L. 5. Foster, Captain John Miles Robert
Forrest, Charles Treacle. and others the meet
ing adjourned to 3 7. NJ. the 18Th OF June next
A. j. MILLER, Secretary.