The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-22

| oysters under tne stauu2iu sN"'
sorted out and at once returned TO the
water. Dredging WITHIN "
scribed limits natural bejs) Is granted
so seldom that such occasions have be-
come like holidays. ihe
beach is filled with spectators. Az can
non shot dredging begins. and another
shot is the signal for its cessation. Ske-
mort OF United States Fish Commission.
article II. page 367)
There are times when the free use Of a
drcdge upon an oyster-bed would soon
| destroy st: there are other times when
| its use would be beneficial. (See Protes-
sor Brooks Handbook on the OystefD
After retaining for the citizens Of this
State the natural oyster-beds and rocks
of the Virginia waters. which SHOULD be
under the control OF a competent official
or officials, all restrictions should be re-
moved as to who should rent bottoms
upon which oysters should be planted
Under the present lrw onlv citizens OF
this State can rent oyster ground from
the state. a citizen of Virginia who has
associated with him in oyster-plantinS a
nonresident OF the State is subject to
fine OF $500 He cannot borrow money out
side OF the State 10 buy such steam
dredge as has been described, although II
might save him large sums OF money.
(Scction 2l46 Revised Statutes Of Virginia.)
Such a policy is opposed 10 the very
spirit Of the age in which we livs.
Virginia to-day would be a much 1ore
prosperous State II her waste lands, could
be utilized. There is no restriction as to
citizenship here.
New Industries should be built up. end
outside capital and enterprise enlisted.
They could be largely and profitably en-
ployed II the law permitted this. and Of
forded tfem adequate protection.
on total capital Of 1892. 81 invested in
oystering in Connecticut the receipts in
one year were s1232.l4 and the expenses
1855. 1858. Connecticut Bureau Of Labor
Statistics. 1901 When such profits as
this are possible should there be any diff
Guilty In bringing in outside capital and
energy to untilize the unprodictiye oyster
bottoms Of Virginia?
Outside capital and enterprise have
made the coal and iron lands of South
west Virginia productive; a result bene-
fetal TO the citizen Of the State as well
as the outsider. They would have the
same effect If employed in Underwater
Virginia.
The law fixing the rental OF oyster
lands at a uniform price of one dollar an
acre should be altered. There might be
minimum rent. but no maximum rent.
In France the State exercises, through
its officials, in the interest of culturists,
the right Of regulating and changing the
terms Of State rentals. See report OF
United States Fish Commission, article
II, page 36i)
1t would be well for Virginia, like
France. to have the rental of her oyster
grounds under the control Of duly au-
thorized official or officials. In this way
only can exact justice be done to all Gull
turiSts.
AS to the tongmen. the interests Of this
large class should never be lost sight of.
To the natural oyster deposits they must
mainly look for their profits until they are
induced to become small oyster planters.
The taxes imposed upon these men should
depend solely upon the character of the
tong used. 1t does not seem right that
one man should pay in advance a certain
fixed sum for the use of his tong during
the oyster season, while another is per-
mitted. without paying anything in ad-
vance, to oyster and pay tax on what
he takes.
When it is so difficult for the State 10
collect its income tax, which is dependent
upon the retlrn Of tangible property. how
can 1t expect TO collect this tax. which
is dependent upon the return OF the guam
tity of oysters taken by tongmen. 1t is
unfortunate that ii is necessary to so
impose this tax.
II man cannot afford TO pay the State
two dollars ior the free use of the hand
tong upon her public oyster grounds he
cannot afford to oyster at all.
The writer is convinced that the tong
tax should be compulsory. and paid in
advance, If the Constitution permitted
IL.
From the writer's conversation with
"a no he
feels sure that the best representatives
of this class would sanction such a law,
If il were possible, even although the
taxes should be slightly increased. All
boats Systematically used either In oys-
tering, fishing, or grabbing, should be
required to have a number marked dis
tinctly upon their sails and bows. Each
boat should be required to pay specific
tax, however small the tax may be. Such
taxes are necessary to preserve the pub
lie oyster grounds.
The culling law passed by the last Legis-
lature. and approved February %, 1892
requiring that the oysters taken from
the public oyster grounds should be over
two and half inches in lengthy, was
In the present condition OF
the natural rock, to save them from de-
struction. The writer must admit that,
Judging from his personal observation,
this law Is poorly enforced. II II was
vigorously enforced 1t would bear heavily
upon certain classes. 1t is felt as bur-
den by the planter who wishes to buy
small oysters to plant on the ground
which he rents from the State at 81 per
acre. 1t is a temporary disadvantage
10 the tongman, who could sell these
small oysters to the planter, which he is
now required to redepost. His own in
terests demand that the oyster beds from
which he draws his subsistence should
be preserved in order that his temporary
oss may become his permanent gain.
The culling law is at present unquestion-
ably disadvantage to the natural beds
IF the upper James. Water has here
ow specific gravity lis partly fresh) as a
the mussel fiourishes. and
his year infests the natural oyster beds
If the upper James. 1t would be good |
policy to work these beds thoroughly to |
yet rid Of the mussel. The culling law |
s unfavorable to these beds in their |
present condition.
TIE writer believes that the general |
,r Necific application of such a law as |
he culling law to be beneficial in its |
.esults should be entrusted TO some COM |
)etent State official.
The writer, a United States official OF |
wenty years service, may be regarded |
IS disinterested In the recommendation |
10 makes that. In order that Virginia |
nay derive a direct revenue from her |
'yster interest. and the amount received |
ZACH year from the sale Of oysters be
'ery largely increased. a State official.
With powers somewhat similar TO those Of
he State Auditor, be made responsible
o the Governor or Legislature for the
- Ill