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

An accurate account should be kept
and the whole Of the Virginia Ash and
oyster interest shouid be watched. guard
ed and taken care OF by him. To better
enable him TO do this, ne should be fe-
quired to establish his office IN Norfolk.
or at some convenient point on the sea-
coast.
\ bond with proper security should be
taken from him. similar to those exacted
from the other officers OF the State. and
he should be allowed TO appoint his own
assistants or deputies. who should be Re
sponsble 10 him for the manner IN which
they perform their duties. and he should
be responsible for them. TO the state. The
rent money and all other moneys belong
ing to the 5tate. should be promptly coli
lected by him and paid over 60 the Audi
tor as quickly as possible. AMI he should
be required TO settle with the Auditor just
as the tressurcrs of the counties are re-
quired TO do.
Revenue from this source.
The survey OF the oyster grounds Of
the Chesapeake and its tributaries has
been recently completed. This important
work has been done With bat little cost
10 the State IL should have been done
years ago. II shows the greatness of our
undeveloped resources. ana must strength
en- our credit AMI increase the value IT
our bonds
We have 10000 acres OF natural bed
or rocks. which are of inestimahle value:
they should be held for the benefit of the
people of Virginia. and no dredge or
scrape should be allowed on them We
have 10000 acres. including Chesapeake
Bay proper suitable for planting. which
can be rented by the citizens Of the
state az one dollar per acre.
This estimate does not embrace the oys-
ter grounds on the ocean side ~ the
counties Of Accomac and Northampton
which are large In acreage and very val
liable.
The marsh lands have not been consii-
cred. these I'm due time will be made IS
valuable as the grounds now used Tor
planting: experts say they will be- more
certain TO produce uniform crons under
improved cultivation. I think II would be
safe to estimate the number OF acres
suitable for oyster cultivation at about
one million.
Rent these at n dollar per acre and
what royal revenue It will bring 10 the
State. IL may be said that YOU can not
find renters? Then rereal the law which
restricts renting to the citizen. after a
reasonable time IL given them 10 secure
the grounds, and invite foreign capital
fore we will be able 20 dispose OF every
acre.
Many Of the new comers will bring
their families and erect homes along the
shores; the large and uncultlvated farms
will be divided and sold; new ideas ana
methods VIII be introduced among cur
people. ard soon prosperity will take the
place OF the business stagnation which
has so lorg existed.
The trucker on the shore. and the oys-
terman on the water. the products OF the
land vying with the products OF the
water--yhat a source Of undeveloped
wealth; what inducements they offer 70
the world.
But this Is not all You have ten thous-
and tongers and dredgers and others
engaged I'm the fish and oyster Industry,
who, when pf Cperiy taxed will add large
ly 10 the revenues OF the State IL eff
cent means are used I'm the assessment
aud collection. Nothing but the worst
management can prev ent large revenues
from these sources. larser tb1n ae noN
have from railroads. or from licenses.
or from persc nal property. or from any
orher source, except real estate. Is not
this sufficient 10 direct he constant and
earnest efforts Of the General Assembly
Of Virginia TO this important subject.
Lunatic Asylums.
In my regular message 10 the General
Assembly I'm December 1891. j called at
tention to the great Increase from year
to year in the number OF mna,ics con-
fined In the State asviUms. and the addi-
uOnal appropriations which would be ne
cessary 10 support these institutions
\ statute was enacted by the last Leg
islature instructing the Governor 10
appoint commission to be composed OF
three learned and expert physicians
TO examine and inquire whether
or not any different system OF
laws ought 20 be enacted az to
the admission Of patients into
the various asylums Of the Common
wealth. and also whether there are pa
;ients IN said asylGms who should not
be confined thcrin as insare persons"
In obedience TO this statute ! appointed
a commission composed Of Dr. Parker
Of Richmond, Or. Wiley, OF Salem. and
Dr. McllV aine. of Petersburg 10 make
an examination and report the result OF
their Investigations.
These gentlemen have made careful
examination Of the asylums. and have
prepared an able report of the facts as
certained by them-a copy OF which viii
accompany this message-with various
suggestions 10 remedy the evils which
they have discovered They lind all Of
the asylums well managed. and the
bodily health OF the patients remarka-
ble." OF the whole number. 2.0H. not
more than twenty were found In bed.
The commission speaks In terms Of ad-
miration of the organization and man
agement OF each OF the asylums.
Exsminn' on % Lu"s' -.
In my message above referred 10. l
commented upon certain defects IN the
present law, and the evil results connect
ed with It, and advised change. I'm this
view the committee and ali Of the super
intendents concur. / will examine the
law as it now exists and point out some
OF it's defects.
The Code OF Virginia. Sec. 1853. declares
that when ANY justice who suspects
any person in his county or corporation
10 be a lunatic, shall issue his warrant
ordering such person 20 be brought
before him. He and two other justices
shall inquire whether such person be
a lunatlc. and for that purpose summon
his physician az any) and any other
witnesses"
All this takes place In the county or
city. and may be In private. and no doubt
II Is in general, and there Is no record
kept OF the proceedings. The number OF
WITNESSES necessary TO convict party
OF lunacy end what evidence Is required,
the law does not declare. Suppose the
party has no physician, the statute does
not require one 20 be sent FOR. or to be
present nor does Il require that there
should necessarily . any witness present.
The statute then says that these three
justices shall inquire whether such
person may be a lunauc.
There Is no demand that any witnesses
shan be present a. the time of the exam