The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-14
THE RIGHTS OF VIRGINIA
As TO THE TAXING or OYSTERS.
Tho Joint Committee From tho Legislature
OF Virginia and Maryland Leave To-
Day-Those In the Party.

Tho special committees appointed by tho
legislatures Of Virginia and Maryland TO con-
fer with reference to the dispute over the
boundary line of the two States and to bring
about. if possible. O settlement of this much
vexed question, will hold their first meeting
this evening at Old Point. Most of the mem
bers of the Virginia committee have already
started for their meeting place. The Virginia
committee consists of Speaker II. II. Card
we'll chairman j. Catlett Gibson OF Gull
pepper, John f. Ryan of Loudoun, Benjamin
Chambers of Northampton, William b. Nc
nwaine of Petersburg. John Jackson of Rich
mond. Merritt T. Cooke OF Norfolk, Is. u:
James of Goochland. Southey 5. wilkins OF
Northampton, Lieutenant Governor Tyler and
Senators Edward Echols of Augusta. James n.
Stubbs of Gloucester Robert j. Washington
OF Westmoreland, William A. Little Jr., OF
Spotsylyania and j. w. G.. Blackstone OF Ac-
comac.
THEIR ASSISTANTS.
Upon mutual agreement between the chair
men each committee will take with them q
clerk, q sergeant-at-arms. representative OF
the press of their respective States and one
stenographer for both committees. In ac-
cordance with this agreement Speaker Card
well has made the following appointments
Colonel John Bell Bigger, clerk TO the COM
nttee; William Wilson, sergeant-at-arms; y.
Werner of TIE TIMEs. representative OF the
press. and Benjamin Owens, stenographer.
The Virginia delegation will stay on board of
the steamer Relief" which very kindly has
been placed at their disposal by the Virginia
Pilot Association. The steamer VIII De IN
charge Of Captain Oscar K. Edwards. the
president of the Pilot Association. who VIII
see that his party are well taken care OF.
ruv n,RyrANDFIs
Maryland's loint committee. Of which Sens-
tor Thomas ti. Hayes is chairman. Is com
posed besides him Of Senators Levin J.. Wal
tiers and Washington Wilkinson and Dele
gates Conway w. Sands James Il. Ellegood,
Alonzo L. Miles Robert G. Combs and Moan
G. Sterling. They will leave Baltimore this
morning at 8 o'clock on the oyster police
steamer Governor Thomas. Captain Norard
commanding for Old Point
The Question 10 be discussed is not new
one. but has been agitated from time to time,
and for some reason the State OF Maryland
has on several occasions secured advantages
over the State OF Virginia. This time. III Is
understood. another attempt will be made by
the Maryland authorities 70 OBTAIN conces-
sions from Virginia.
THE QUESTIONS.
There will be three principal subjects in
yolyed in tho conference:
In the first place the State Of MARYLAND Will
endeayor 10 secure the consent of Virginia
TO the passage OF a law which REQUIRES persons
who catch oysters in the Potomac river to
Gull them when and whore caught. The
MARYLAND delegation intends TO submit the
draft Of bill with similar provisions as 70 us
culling features 10 the law OF Maryland al
present in force in it's waters. The object or
this legislation is 70 protect the young oysters
In the Potomac river aud also TO prevent per-
sons when arrested for having oysters under
size in their possession from claiming that
they were taken in the Potomac river and by
means Of this pretense escaping punishment.
The second point TO be discussed will be the
question as to the fishing rights in Pocomoke
sound. The Black and jenkins award as 10
the boundary line very distinctly places the
Pocomoke sound under the jurisdiction OF
Virginia And yet the Maryland people claim
under the compact of 1855 TO have the right
10 oysters in Pocomoke sound, which they
assert is only part of Pocomoke river
The third subject 10 be conferred on will be
TO fix more definitely the boundary line be-
tween the two States on the Pocomoke river,
so that in future Misunderstanding and col
lisions may be avoided between the oyster
men Of Virginia and Maryland.
IN THE SOUND.
After the preliminary conference at Old
Point this evening the two committees Will
tomorrow morning go 20 the waters OF the
Pocomoke sound. and after examining the
boundary line and the lay of the oyster
grounds. will cross the bay, enter the Poto-
mac river inspecting these waters as far as
Alexandria. From there the committees will
return to Old Point or Cobb's Island and will
60 al once into conference. when the wishes
and demands Of their respective States will
be thoroughly considered.
Governor Brown. OF Maryland. expects to
ioin tho committee from his State somewhere
on tho waters of the Pocomoke or Potomac
on board the oyster steamer Governor Nc
Lane. inasmuoh as important business pre-
vents him from leaving at the time when his
committee starts. Mr. II. j. Rasin. the SER
reant-at-arms OF the Senate of Maryland,
will act In the same capacity 10 his committee.
Governor Mckinney, who. with his family.
leaves on Satur day for Blue Ridge Springs.
will not be able TO accompany the Virginia
delegation.