Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1893-02-25
The Governor Declines to Callan Ex-
ira Session of the Legislature.

The Governor Saturday received .
petition from citizens of Mathews
county praying him to call an extra
session of the legislature to extend
the season for taking oysters from
the first of April to the list of May.
The petition was drawn up in pur-
suance of resolutions passed at a
meeting held at Mathews court,
house on the 18th of this month. 1t
states that ;ln extension is necessary
owing to the interference OF the cold
weather with the oyster interests. &c.,
and is signed by A. H. Williams,
chairman, and j. T. BilIups, secre.
tary of the meeting.
In reply to this petition the Cover
nor says:
II have considered the facts pre-
scented and do not feel that l would
be justified at this time in calling an
e. ira session of the Legislature. In
looking to the journals of the Gen
eral Assembly find that the vote on
the bill (thc oyster billy in the SEN
ate was 80 for it and against it; in
the House the vote stood 90 for it
and Is against it. This shows that
the vote in favor of it was
too overwhelming to believe
that this same Legislature would in
so short Il time repeal it. Besides,
they might make other amendments
far more distasteful to you than that
to which you refer. Let the law be
enforced and then you can better
show by experience that til more in
furious to your industries than you
could possibly do without having
suffered the injury you anticipate.
1.-The reason you assign for the re-
peal is that the severe cold has pre-
vented your working.
"This is an act of Providence which
man cannot foresee and Legislatures
cannot prevent, and we must bear it
without murmuring, in the hope
that ii will be in the end for our
good. You are much better off than
the other sections of the State, where
droughts have burnt up the crops,
and in the water courses. where they
have been swept by desolating floods.
With YOU it is different. The oys-
ters which you have failed to take
this season will remain until the next
when you will get them fat and full
grown, which will be equivalent to a
large interest for the delay.
II feel a deep interest in the oys-
ter industry. l am doing all can to
preserve and protect it, and ] hope
TO see the time when it will be in a
more prosperous condition than it is
now; that the Legislature may be
able to enact Il law based upon the
experience which YOU are now pass
ing through; that it may give entire
satisfaction to all classes of your peo-
pie; that the effect of it may be seen
in the increased value of your lands,
and in the improved condition of
your entire section; that there may
be great revival of trade and the
various industries all through Tide
water Virginia. This is what l am
striving to accomplish with all my
energy of body.
If unfortunate years do come to
you it is but the fate of ell people
and all sections. We must bear
them with resignation. Since the
days of Joseph and Pharoah the lean
and the fat years have been succeed
ing each other wish l knew some
way to relieve you OF your troubles,
but cannot devise any at this mo-
ment Your suggestion if carried
out might prove delusiye and bring
about other troubles than the one OF
which you now complain
The committee who drew up the
petition was composed Of II. S. Fox,
John Acey, G. E. Diggs, G.. w. Eos.
ter, w. L. Williams, John Spriggs
John R. Winder and John r. Smith