The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-01-07

THE OYSTER QUESTION.
We publish in another column this morn
inc a very interesting letter from an officer OF
the United States Coast Survey who is
virginian by birth. and is thoroughly familiar
with the oyster lands of the State. upon the
ovster ouestion. II will be seen that the
writer takes substantially the same position
which has been previously taken by IBE
TIMES on this. one OF the most important sub
jects TO come up before our General Assem-
Div. and he is in eli material points N accord
with the message recently sent TO tho Legs
lature on this subject by Governor Mchin-
ney. The main point in which he differs
from the Governor and this paper IS
on the question Of leasing the oyster
lands. he preferring a sale outright TO
lease for term Of years. Very plausible
reasons are given why sale would be better
than lease. hut the fact that the oyster
lands of the State are too valuable property
to be absolutely disposed Of is sufficient rea-
son why the State should never entirely part
with the title 10 them. especially as, under
judicious laws leases for term OF years
Will Iuo VI icHc"e'' "D~'~
as advantageous to the planter.
II is strange that any opposition at all
should be offered TO the changes proposed IN
our present inefficient and worthless oyster
laws. Here we see the State owning nun
dreds Of thousands Of acres OF valuable lands
under water. suited especially for the propa-
cation and cultivation of the luscious biya.ye.
which should yield a handsome IN
come. Yet under the existing oyster
laws these lands are practically use
less: our oyster industry is rapidly decreasing;
our oyster beds are being. year by year
gradually depleted and destroyed, while the
far-famed oysters Of Virginia are being trans
ferred t. Northern waters. there to be cuiti-
waited and served mp to epicures as saddle
rocks. Cherryst0nes and such like. The In
dustry is, in fact a source Of expense instead
Of profit to tho State and bids fair IN the
course Of very few years to be ruined.
All this can be remedied by a Just and
simple law. Nothing moro is necessary than
for the oyster lands. which are the States
property. to be carefully surveyed and staked
out in lots. to be leased for a term OF years
long enough to justify needed outlay upon
them at really nominal figure. while the
natural rocks should be carefully and dis
tinctly marked by buoys. Then with a shell
fish commission to see the law rigidly en-
forced, all will DO done that need be done.
Our oyster lands will then yield a handsome
revenue. which will enable the State to
thoroughly protect the interests Of all con
cerned. besides adding materially 10 the
public wealth. instead Of as now being
source Of expense the rights of planter and
dredger would all be carefully guarded, and
everybody would be benefited
The main opposition to a change IN our
oyster laws seems 10 come from the residents
Of the oyster region, and the only reason
that can be imagined for their opposition IS
that they seem to imagine that oyster lands
are private property. and that the idea Of the
States deriving larger revenue from that
industry than from others which are being
carried on is an outrage. This Is absurd. The
lands belong TO the State and she has as much
right TO derive what benefit she is legitimately
entitled to from them as she would 10 work
coal or gold mine. if she owned one. TO the
best advantage. Most certainly Virginia can
not afford to allow any source of profit to her
to be neglected, and the Legislature should,
by all means, see TO it that her valuable oyster
property is made as remunerative as possible.