Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1893-12-02
Entered at the Postoff1ce at Accomac
G. H., Va, as second-class matter.

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The: Attorney for the Common
wealth for..the county Of. -Accomac
through-us speaks to the people OF
the Eastern Shore.in this issue, and
cannot--too strongly commend the
letter to their perusal, or too urgent
ly insist that. they profit blythe sug-
gestions therein contained. The
question submitted-is not debata-
BILE one and admits of no alteration,
addition ors.amendment. Whether
Maryland shall:have equal rights
with Virginia in the waters OF Tan
gier or..Pocomoke sounds cannot be
answeredsby any Virginian but in
the negative and should be done so
emphatically, that all of us will feel
that prompt,,action.iS necessary on
our part if we would. not have Nlr.
ginia further despoiled of her terri
tory, if We would not havesl rights
wrested from us. so long vested, that
the memory of man runneth not to
the contrary. I'm submitting the
question for the consideration Of our
citizens, we need not tell them what
an answer by the Supreme Court
OF the United States in the af-
frmative means-in the loss of
revenues to the COMMONWEALTH
the loss, absolute and irreparable, of
the means of livelihood to the citi-
zens of many sections of our county
and in the injury which thereby
would be inflicted upon all Of us, al
most beyond computation. With
the occupation of our oystermen
gone as it would be, If the thous-
ands of oyster crafts of Maryland are
permitted to swoop down upon us,
who could estimate the loss to them
in being deprived not only of the
means Of a livelihood, but in their
lands and houses as well?-and what
farmer, or merchant, or mechanic
or professional man is there who
would not suffer by their loss7
The question indeed is one of such
grave Importance not only to the
citizens of this county, but of the
whole Commonwealth, and so practi
cal in all its bearings, that it need
not be elaborated further by us, to
be brought within the comprehension
OF anyone, but seeing our duty is one
thing and doing it is another, and
the query therefore is pertinent, will
we act and act at once? If we will,
let us profit by the suggestion of our
attorney for the Commonwealth, and
meet at once not only for the pur.
pose of talking about it and making
suggestions and petitioning to the
Legislature for help, but for the pur-
pose of putting down the cash neces-
sary to secure additional counsel if
the State OF Virginia will not help in
the fight other than through our At
torney-General. The State of Mary
land has an able Acknowledgement,
but the question to her citizens is one
Of such Importance, that an appro
priation of $4,000 has been made by
her Legislature, for the purpose of
securing additional counsel to assist
him and not only has this money
been appropriated, but we are credi-
bly, advised, that house to house
canvass at this time is being made in
some sections OF Maryland for the
purpose Of securing additional funds
with which TO make the fight against
us. Will we be less vigilant than
they are? When efforts are thus being
made to rob US Of our possessions,
will we "lay supinely on our backs'
trusting to luck and the justice of
our cause? Citizens OF Accomac what
cay you? II you would still retain
the exclusive right to the oyster
beds in Tangier and Pocomoke
sounds, and your answer is that
you will act at once, then we sug-
gest further that additional counsel
be secured without delay. In con-
clusion, in securing counsel,
we suggestT that first of all.
if possible, the services of Hon.
Jno. WrGillet secured, of all men
in the State the best posted in the
matter in controversy, and secondly
that our attorney for the Common
wealth, Mr. Fletcher, who is
thoroughly conversant with the ques-
ton be engaged to assist him. With
our able Acknowledgement backed
by them, even if the State refuses to
secure additional counsel, we believe,
there can be no.doubt, as to the de-
cision of the Supreme Court on the
question. With the lights which it
would have before them justice could
not be go perverted, that a decision
could be rendered by that august
tribunal, favorable to the unjust de.
mands of Maryland.
The membership of the Virginia