Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-02-25
THE OYSTER RAIDERS
A COMPLAINT REGARDING THEM
FROM The EASTERN SHORE.
What Governor Mckinney Has 90 Say.
Captain Foster Promptly ordered
20 the Scene.

The DESPATCH received yesterday the fol-
lowing communication from q correspond
ent on tho Eastern Shore;
10 the Editor Of ne Dispatch;
/" Tho people OF tho Eastern shore OF Virginia
always read with much interest ali the articles
In your paper conforming tho oyster Industry,
whether they emanate from the pen OF prec-
teal oystcrmsn intended 70 io,ch US HOY 20 grow
the luscious byslves successfully or from the
pen Of some thcorist to tcach the mountaineer
como points which he perchance overlooked In
bis Efforts 70 tax this industry 70 its utmost ana
thereby increase tho production OF oysters. And
while tho iotfers Of Captain Baylor and pr.
wilkins In your Sundays issue we're very In
ferestine. there is another question confronting
OF much greater Importance than tho one dts
cufsed by them. Aud that question IL. How can
We keep citizens Of Maryland from coming down
IN such large numbers and taking oysters with
drcdecs from rocks that are reserved for toneers
eiti1ens OF Virginia. They como in su IN large
numbers that Il II impossible for one police-boat
stationed IN the Tangi-r and Pocotnoke sounds
each TO prevent these depredatioue-
THE cRrsrIFLD rIRATEs.
Tho Baltimore sun announces zach day how
many boats are IN the Crisneld harbor waiting
20 go down the succeeding night, &c. Captain
Foster. 20 far as hear, has not been thefo
fince those dcpredstions began. Thousands o.
bushels Of oysters are being carried OF each
nigb< from these two sounds. u We can judge
troN .be accounts published In the San. re
Maryland people, judging from articles publish
Justly TINS T1kfant tteNlinR OF Nlfkihli bFH-
ters on the ground that ~ IL disputed territory.
and never bafore did any one hear OF any claim
on the part Of Maryland 10 "Woman s-Aaish
Rock" situated In che Iangler sound, and ON tue
west side OF 10, where the State line has alwny.
been regarded by Maryland as satisfactorily 90
tablished. Now, Mr.. Editor, tho point which
desire 10 mako IL simply this; WIZ not OR
friends tesisf from thor fireess efforts 20 faiso
millions OF revenue from tho oyster Industry fu-
nclently long 10 help US devise some means ~
which these atrocous outrages may be prevent
edf
WILLING TO ASSIST THE POLICE.
Our citizens are willing TO assist the police
force, but we are informed by Governor Nckin-
ney that he has no rifles which he can loan us.
Not word have we seen In virginia paper
daily protesting against these violations OF mo
law. even though We arc loved for our zeal 70 The
Democratic party in season and out OF season,
but dismissed In "A reasonable time after eacn
election with the cheering words: Don't forget
next November, but until then we have no
further use for you: you have done GIL YOU ore
.apAble OF doing; you gave I,0OO majority Tor
the Democratic ticket last November.
what the Governor Says.
When Governor McKinnev's attention
was called 10 this communication he sad
the State only allowed three vessels for
the protection of the oyster industry-the
steamer Chesapeake and two schooners-
but all of these were at the disposal of the
people on TangIeT Sound to guard against
the threatened raid. However, the reports
from those in charge OF the oyster ieet do
not represent the situation as being any
thing like as serious as do the reports
coming from the people on the land. Re-
Gently Captain Reed. Of the schooner Tan
cier, captured two dredging schooners. 80
far as known the recent ralds have been
like those of the little boy who. when the
owner is away. climbs the orchard fence,
fills his pocket full of apples. and runs.
NO MILITARY ORGANIZATION.
The Governor said II was true he had re-
ceived telegram from the Eastern Shore
asking for rifles, but he had no rifles TO
send. The arms III the possession OF the
State were issued by the General Govern
ment, with the understanding that they
be put into the hands of troops. There
was no military organization on the East
ern Shore and ii he sent arms TO that sec
tion Of the State he would have to send
men with them.
ACTED PROMPTLY.
The facts are that the Governor acted
verv promptly when he heard of the
threatened MARYLAND raid. The records
of the Board of Chesapeake and ats Iribu-
taries show that he telegraphed imme-
diately TO Captain Foster, of the Chesa-
peake. to Ego ut once to Tangier Sound
and assist Captain Reed IN protecting the
oyster interests from raid 10y the Mary
land dredgers." He also ordered Captain
Foster to assist captain GasklnS. OF the
PocOmoke. and stay In Tangler and POGO.
moke sounds until all danger from the
Maryland dredgers was passed.
COMPETENT NAVY.
II is we'll known that the Governors
idea Is that when sufficient revenue
shall have been raised from the oyster iu-
dustry to justify it the State should main
tain IN and police her waters with fleet
OF fast, well-arIned steamers that would
insure absolute protection TO the oyster
grounds and rocks. He believes that a
revenue which will justify this and leave
good surplus annually can be raised, but
until that tune comes it will be hard to
get the people of other portions of the
State to agree TO increase the expenses of
the oyster navy.