The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-07

before we will be able to so amend the
present law. In the line OF progress. that
II will meet with the approval Of all.
IL Is fast becoming a conceded question
that the oyster industry must be protect
ed and the States interests looked after,
or there will be such a destruction OF the
natural beds that they will soon become
worthless; whereas. II our people are pro-
tected by wise laws rigidly enforced. this
product will in a brief period exceed in
value the estimate Of the most saneuine'
and Tidewater win attain such a pros
perity az she has never before known.
n IL useless 70 expect. however, that
this interest will receive at the hands
of the Legislature efficient protection,
unless those who are engaged In IL are
willing 10 bear reasonable proportion or
the expenses necessary to secure Il; and
the Old idea that the property OF the peo-
PIE Of the whole State. alone, is to be
taxed TO give protection to those who are
engaged ih this business. viii be deemed
unreasonable.
Eent-No Taxes'
We create prejudice on the subject
Of renting out this property TO raise mon
ey for its protection and other equitable
purposes. by calling it a tax. This is a
misomer. These are the facts: we have
a large area OF oyster land, which belongs
to the State: it Is ours in fee simple; It's
great extent and value is conceded; We
propose to rent this land TO the citizens
Of Virginia at the low price Of one dollar
per acre We compel no man 10 take
IT, and II the citizen rents this land at
stipulated price he does IL OF his own
free will, and can, in no proper sense, be
called a taxpayer. II Is not taxes he is
paying 10 the state; It is rent money;
..,sf. afaI Isa hau No.
right TO complain and allege that this
Increases the tax ne owes TO the State
On the other hand, it would be a mis-
use of its powers for the State TO tax every
kind Of property belonging TO the citizen
according 20 its value i'm order 10 raise
the necessary amount 10 meet the de-
mands upon the Treasury, and fail 10
utilize such vast amounts Of valuable
property as she owns i'm her oyster lands,
and allow Il to go TO waste. or TO be
seized by those who use and abuse u,
and who not only do not make an equita-
BILE division Of the profits, but all the
other property OF the citizen is taxed
thousands Of dollars TO protect them IN
their unlawful holdings.
It can not be justified. That the Legis
lature should use all available property
and resources which the State owns be-
any Of the resources Of the private ciu-
zens for public uses. is proposition
which will not be disputed. The indiffer-
ence manifested heretofore by the peo-
pie Of the whole State, is a surprise 20
every thinking man. 1t is the result Of a
want Of knowledge on this subject. No
one better understood this question than
Governor Wise. He was born and Feared
among the people Of that section; he was
devoted to their interests, and was es-
teemed and beloved by them. and no
one has been more enthusiastic I'm declar-
ing its great value. He was the first 10
suggest that a large revenue could be
derived from it, and urged it,
Leo Iation Nr,"~-sry.
The time has come when ii is neces-
sary for us 20 have efficient legislation on
the subject. The necessities of the state
require it, and the oyster interests de-
mand il. Week after week the year round,
complaint comes 10 the Capitol that
we are being visited by strange vessels,
who are plundering our oyster-8rounds
and robbing our rivers. and begging that
protection should be given 10 them How
can you get the protectionf
The devastation which the strangers are
committing is in the Virginia waters, ana
the grounds they are trespassing on nre
the oyster-lands Of Virginia. / think Wig
orous measures should at once be adopt
ed: the cry Of the people should be an
swered Virginia ought 70 assert her rights.
This cannot be done without expense. TO
raise money 10 enable US TO do this, these
lands should be rented and when this is
done il will at once become the impera-
tive duty of the State 10 grant the protec-
tlon which is so greatly needed by her
citizens. and as much of the money as is
/. CHI faEl fral on
and devoted 10 the defence OF the
property which Virginia has temporarily
conceded TO its occupants. Lay aside
prejudice, and look fairly at the question.
Is it right that property all over the
State should be taxed 20 protect the oys-
ter interest while the oyster grounds
belonging TO the State-nOt 10 individuals
are seized and used al Will by the peO-
pie many Of whom not only make no re-
turns TO the State for their use, but de-
nand that we protect them in the unau-
thorized. and hence unlawful possession,
at our own cost? This is unreasonable
| repeat with emphasis, every oyster
interest should be efficiently protected
and marauders who disregard the law ana
the rights Of the people should be cap
tured and punished, and the use Of all Of
our valuable possessions on the water
and in the water, should be as efficiently
guarded as the property on the land, or
the land itsel4.
Many laws have been enacted, looking
I'm a measure 10 this but they have been
inefficient. and the pillaging is still
going on.
The good people are still dissatisfied
with the ineficiency Of the law, and are
demanding protection. Let me give you
some Of the facts, so that you may Zee
how Inadequate the law has been. We
will look to the results i'm figures. This
is the way the account stands on our
books, showing the amount received from
the tax, and the amount disbursed for
prOtectiOn:-