Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-02-21
REVENUE FROM THE OYSTER.

doubt to statement Of that kind he would
calculate. "Ratsl"
REVENUE FROM THE OYSTER.
Some Practical Thoughts to the Members
OF tho General Assembly.
To DC Editor of he DisDatca:
A conservative and reasonable law will
be success, and will prove beneficial
alike TO the State and to the oystermen.
No law can be successfully enforced un-
lsss il receives the moral support and ap-
proval of the people where it is designed
TO operate. The Legislature can pass an
oyster law, but unless that law be enforced
by witnesses. juries, and local officers IN
Tidesrater, it will be dead letter.
But IT must not be assumed that
the people of Tidewater are so blinded
by Their own interests in this matter
as to be lacking in fidelity to the
interests of the State; for they are as true
and as devoted to all that tends to pro-
mote the prosperity of the Commonwealth
as the citizens of any other section. They
desire q law that will protect and build
up tho oyster industry and Weld proper
revenue to the State. and it is no fault OF
theirs that sucn law IL not now
In operation. But for the Governors
veto the bill which passed at the last SEES
sion of the Legislature and which received
the unanimous support of the members
from Tidewater would now be yielding q
large revenue to the State.
That bill provided for an accurate sur
vey OF each planters ground, by which the
rent-producing acreage would have been
largely increased; and 1t also doubled the
present rate of rent. II also provided fol
an increase of revenue from other sources.
The law at present provides no means
for having an accurate survey. and the
same spirit which causes the farmer TO
give In his horse worth 500 to the asses
sor at valuation of $50 causes many oys-
ter planters,to give in their acreage TO the
inspector at quantity less than they ac.
tually hold. But 1T is believed that an
accurate survey of each planters holding
will correct this evil and produce large
revenue without an increase OF the present
rental.
But if an increase of the rate of rent be
demanded, il should be q conservative and
reasonable increase. One dollar per acre
is too much. TO increase 1T from 70 cent:
per acre to that amount is too sudden and
radical q change. and the present condl-
ton of the industry cannot afford 1t.
Suppose tenant in any city renting 9
house for S25 per month. aud his landlord
SAYS the property is not paying expenses
and that the rent must be increased,
would il not be very extraordinary for
HIM TO increase it az once to 500 pei
month? Or suppose. If you please, farm
renting for 500 year, and the rent Is
increased AZ once to fi0O, what would
be thought of that? Then. shall Virginia
deal more extortionately with her tenants
who are her own citizens. her own sons,
than other landlords? Again, 1t is out OF
- tl.A Of nr la
cultivation of which is not attended with
as much risk and expense as that OF oyster
bottoms. How many farms in Virginia
rent for al an acre, clear Of taxes and re-
pairs. and allowing fair portion OF the
rent for the use of the buildings! At such
a rate much inferior bottom now occupied
will be abandoned, and it is q question
whether or not the revenue to the state
would be so great as would be derived
at a lower rate.
1t is difficult to raise revenue by tax on
tongmen. Article Y, section 2. OF the Con,
stitution of Virginia. SAYS: mo tax shall
be imposed on any of the citizens OF this
State for the privilege of taking or catch
ing oysters from the natural beds Nth tongs
in the waters thereof" sc. Consequently
almost every attempt to get revenue from
the tongmen is an evasion OF the Constitu-
ton. But they are willing to pay red-
sOndble tax III order to secure po-
lice protection for the natural beds
against unlawful dredging. Clearly, a tax
on the new patent" tongs would be as
unconstitutional as tax on other tongs,
for while they have been invented since
tie adoption OF the Constitution, still 1t Is
the same old principle of drawing up oys-
tiers from the bottom by manual labor.
And this is the privilege which the Con-
stitutlon says shall not be taxed. 1T IS be-
lieved that those who use these tongs
would submit TO tax of about 50 year,
but if it IL made as much as $40 they VIII
avail themselves of the protection afforded
by the Constitution. and the State may got
nothing from them.
Mr.. Hurt has introduced bill winch
would permit renting out natural beds-a
thing which the Democratic party has
solemnly promised should not be done.
The fifth plank in the last platform eau.
gust l6. 1885, is as follows: The Demo.
cratic party will foster the oyster industry
of Virginia for the benefit of her o'rn cltt
zenS, and favors the enforcement OF the
policy of preserving TO her citizens the IRE,
use of all natural oyster-rocks, beds, anc
shoals as regulated by law, and 'o,N oppos'
the transfer or surrender Of The public right
therein 10 indiridudls or corporations" BY
the words l have italicized it would appear
that the party has also promised not tC
rent the planting grounds 10 non-residents
nor TO tax tongmen who oyster upon the
natural beds. Besides this promise, many
good reasons could be adduced to show
that It is against he interest Of ne Sac tC
rent or sell the natural beds, but thai
would make this article too lengthy.
The Legislature should. by all means
define what constitutes natural bed.
There is constant clash between the
PLANTER and the tongman upon this point
and such definition is earnestly desired
by both. A bill is now before the Legisla
ture providing for q survey to mark then
upon chart, but 1t is believed by many
persons that this will prove lmpracticable
These natural beds are constantly becom
Ing entirely depleted IN some places. while
new ones form in other places; so that such
a survey and chart made now might be o
very little value q few wears hence. Itwil
be found TO be an almost impossible tasI
TO make q perfect survey of them; anC
even for the purpose of q survey. 1t is ne
cessary that the Legislature should defin
what constitutes natural bed. Withou
such definition to guide them, how car
those who make the survey determin
trhlf TO survey!
As one who most earnestly desires tn
continued ascendancy of the Democratic
party, the writer would admonish tn
Governor and the Legislature to bear il
mind the promises which the party ha
repeatedly made to the people. of Tide
water. MATTHEW'S.
n.l.,ox.t- 1909