The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-12-10
4 Special Message From The Governor 10
the Legislature.
A MATTER OF GREAT IMPORTANCE.
His Exceilcncv Calls Attention TO the Great
Need of Their Proper Protection and
Offers Many Valuable Suggestions.
More Revenue Should Bc Gained
From Them.

The following IS the full text OF the speclaI
message which Governor Mckinney sent yes
terday to the Legislature in regard 10 the
oyster interests in Virginia:
To the General Assembly.
deem our oyster interest" n matter of
sufficient importance 10 make it the subject
OF a special message 1t las been q question
OF much interest to the people of Virginia for
many years Very few have acquainted
themselves with it except in general way
Those who live in Iidewater are more i'm
nediately interested but they cannot agree
as 20 what legislation is necessary or ex-
pedient.
There are three classes Of per sons who are
directly concerned in the oyster interest"
and who watch the investigation Of it with
anxiety the tongers tho dredgers. and the
planters. Their interests are in many res
poets. different Each desires different egis-
ation
The tonger generally IS the poor man. who.
with his little boat and his common tOngs-a
small instrument made IN the blacksmith
shops oil the country confines his operations
t. shallow water He does not cultivate but
gathers, what nature has planted and grown
upon ler natural beds. He claims his exemp-
ton from taxation under the second section of
Article "a. OF tie Constitution which declares
hat no tax shall be imposed on any of the
citizens OF TINS State for the privilege %
taking r catching oysters from natural beds
with tongs in the waters thereof but the
amount of sales Of oysters so taken by any
citizen may be taxed at a rate not exceeding
the rate OF taxation imposed upon any other
species Of property
TIE SHALLOW WATERS.
The scarcity of oysters in the shallow |
waters caused by OveTwOrking the natural |
beds. has driven the tongers to deeper water
Tor their supply. and necessity has brought |
forth the invention of "a new implement which |
can Dc used IN water of any reasonable depth,
called the patent tong. name gwen 20 it.
II IS sad. { enable the user of it TO avail him
Boil o. the protection Afforded by the Consti-
tuition. which iorbids the taxing of the tong"
for catching oysters from the natural beds
The dredgo is n much larger instrument
and can be used IN any water. 1t is hauled
by vessels Oh large size either steam or sail
ing. and takes mp everything. The market
able oysters are sold for food. the small ones
for seed. The shells. and even the broken
pieces Of the natural rock. are carried away
and sold for mere pittance to build up the
oyster lands of other States.
The drcdgers, like tue tOngers do not plant
they only gather what nature produces and
are rec kless Of the future. because the natural
beds, where the oyster grows without care or
cultivation. belong to every citizen of tho
state, ana each seems 10 be afraid that he will |
not get his due proportion.
The planter rents his land from the State at
% cents per acre, prepares II for cultivation
sows 1t with seed-oysters and shells. and
watches over and guards it until the crop 10
ready for the market, which requires several
years.
Planters TROUBLE.
There are frequent contests between the
planters aud the other oystermen which arise
g,ffa fha oil .,t..,
mu h labor and expense the planter prepares
his land. and watches over il and tends IL Tor
seyera years. or until the oysters are ready
for market. The tonger and the dredger then
come and clam that the oysters are planted
on natural bed. that the planter is VIOLATING
the law OF the laud even though he has
rented from an Inspector and has no right TO
be there. and perhaps charge. and prove. that
he does not pay rent for One-third Of the land |
which he occupies
The case Is taken TO court and often the :
planter not only loses his money and the re-
suit of his labor. but is mulcted in heavy ,
damages Tor the false clamOr which he has
raised. He courts IN 1IdewateT are having
numerous cases of this kind and the planter
is generally defeated Ii Is gravely charged
that but small portion of the oyster grounds r
cultivated Is paid Tor by the renter and that
there are many acres of natural oyster beds
reserved by the Constitution for the people as
common fishing grounds now in possession If
persons and corporations who have no legal 7
authority for their occupancy. These suits c
show the need OF thorough investi CATION for {
the purpose of settling these yexed questions I
and should II be found on investigation that
there are natural beds in the possession of
parties. either by assignment by an INSPECTOR
or by act of the Legislature, the assignment
should be revoked and the act of Legislature
should be repealed, for II is forbidden by the
Constitution. and these beds should be re- /
served as common fishing ground for all the l
citizens of Virginia.
FEW STATISTICS. g
1t seems strange that during all tho wears
the attention of the Legislature has been ,
called To tins question, and after the wonder
ful statements made of the fabulous wealth :"
of Virginia has in her oyster lands and the .
heated discussions (an account of which we -
see IN the newspapers. we have collected no =
reliable statistics TO guide our lawmakers in g
the legislation necessary for the development -
or protection or THIS one Of our most lmpor- 4
tant industries. SO careless have We been in =
gathering Information. upon subject 81 i'm s.
portant, that all We know of the extent of q
the States interest Is conjecture and all wa !.
know Of its wealth is speculation as far as a. a.
anything can he gathered from our records -
We are not. however, lett entirely 10 coniec- -
tnre or 10 wild speculation TO arm us with ~
sufficient facts for our purpose TO show the g.
necessity of a change in our present laws on - -
this subiectI o.,
he United States. in collecting statistics " "
OF hsh and oysters. leave no doubt as to the q;
fact that our oyster lands are very extensive VI
and their great value is unquestionable. The
number OF acres owned by the State is esti-
mated 70 DO more than million. whichare oil
now valuable for the oysters they produce or e.
may lie made so By proper cultivation nc
They are admitted 10 be equal to any in the pl
word. and nre tar more valuable than those sl
oi tne northern States because our waters TN
are ireer nom severe cold and storms and wa in
are not troubled with the star-fish and other to
natural enemies of the Young oyster. which 81
are destructive and difficult to contend IN
against. ~ '''o ~ ~
ESTIMATES tn
Inc following estimates were made for the in
years 1850 and 1883: '0' VIC IN
1850 1000 he
Numler Of men en- 1893 "a
plo'ed III Virginia ",
- vi ........ i6aia 49, 81,
bushos OF oysters Has7 .,
=, ctuRht .......,.. GS,8f 80 scc. 200 T.
ialnc OF oyster sold ~ 2ig gse .oUtt35 lin
CGpi al INV sc $500. Al IA 10 Si'.6p'Ol2 III