Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1891-03-07
Corr eSspOndcRcc.

Mr.. EDIToR:-As the oyster ques-
ton is to be discussed at the Conven-
tion to be held in your town ~ April
court, with u view to harmonizing all
interests, wish space to present the
claim of the oyster dredger, that he
may not be left out, and that all
things may be considered for the
best.
The dredger has done more good
in developing, spreading and enlarg-
ing the oyster area of Virginia-es-
pecially the natural beds-than all
else combined. 1t is a very conser-
vative claim to make, that every bed
of natural oysters that has been
worked by the dredgers are now five
times as great in area, as they were
when the work commenced. The
benefit of this work has been felt
principally in Pocomoke and Tangier
Sound, Potomac River and east Of
Gwyn's Island. The spreading of
oysters is never done with tongs;
longing lis done at anchor-the oys-
tiers are taken from the bottom. put
on board, and there cleaned; the
shells being thrown back exactly
where they were taken from. Dredg-
ing is done while sailing along, and
every time the vessel sails off the oys-
ter bed, the shells taken from the
oysters are cast upon ground not
previously occupied by oysters, and
are left there for young oysters to
cntc!, on, land thus the beds are en-
llrScd.
relate this little fact to show that
the dredecr has claims in advance of
MI other interest,": and I as u dredger,
who aided to make the oyster rock,
wish once again to reap q part Of the
profits. Pocomoke Sound is now
said to he full of fine oysters, and they
arc increasing so fast that those who
take them with t0ngs are unable to
harvest the yearly productions. There
is no reason why the method of tax
ing oysters shoHld be confined to
only one way, and thai the most
primitive, any more than harvest
ing grain, such as oats and wheat,
should be confined to the scythe or
sickle, instead of reapers and self
benders. ] do not see why tho tong
ers should have y monopoly Of. oYs-
ter bed in Pocomoke Sound: certain
it is, none of them have created any
thing-they neither increased nor
grew oysters. Certain it is that they
are paving very little for al these
natural Mlvantages-not one-twen-
tieth Tart t;ic sum the dredgers paid,
when they worked there, by licence.
The tongcrs have II monopoly and
they propose to hold it, hut l do not
see the justice of it. Why should
they have this pudding all to them
selves, when am so poor and needy?
Why cannot my wife and children
have some too?
The dredging fleet has been prac
tically destroyed by law and the few
of us that are left have rs much right
to the beds lis the tongers. We can
handle oysters cheaper, we can save
labor, and sell them cheaper, and the
people at large are certainly benefited.
These are all points recognized as of
value in other Industries of the age
then, Mr.. Editor, why should i'm
proved methods be cast aside in the
oyster trade, and used in all Others
for the benefit of mankind?
1t will be said that the dredger will
destroy the oyster beds-so will any
other mode of taking them, provided
it is not restrained, and some one
shall call halt at the proper mo-
ment. The tonger will not cease
taking them any more than a dredg-
err, so long as it pays for his days
work. The natural beds are the
property of the State, and doubt if
any place will be adopted to preserve
them, so that only the annual growth
and no more will be taken each year
this being the case, it is eminently
proper that the dredger's right should
be we'll considered, and granted priv
ileges for which they are willing to
pay handsomely. BOB WHITE.