Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-02-19
NOT THE ACT OF MAN.
WE CANNOT FoResEE OR PREVENT
BAD WEATHER.
rbs oovsrnor So writes the Oystermen In
Declining to Convene the
General Assembly.

The Governor yesterday received petit
ton from citizens OF Mathews county
praying him to call an extra session OIL the
Ieeislature TO extend the season for taking
oysters from the lst of April to the lst OF
MAY. The petition was drawn M IN pur-
suance OF resolutions passed nj meeting
held Mt Mathews Courthouse on the loth
Of this month. 1t states that an extension
is necessary owing TO the interference OF
tho cold weather with the oyster interest.
M. and Is signed by A.. Ii. Williams.
chairman, and ). L. Billups. secretary OK
the meeting.
THE aovERNoR's REPLY.
In reply to this petition the Governor
saws:
~ have considered the facts presented
and do not feel that would be Justlned
at this time in calling an extra session Oh
the Legislature. In looking to the jour
mails of the General Assembly l Ind
that the vote on the bill Cthe oyster bill)
IN tho Senate was 30 for II and 5 against 1t;
IN the House the vote stood 60 for Il and ID
against II. This shows that the vote IN
favor OF 1t was too overwhelming 10 De
lieve that the same Legislature would IN
so short q time repeal 1t. Besides. they
might make other amendments lar more
distasteful to YOU than that 10 which you
refer. Let the law be enforced and then
Won can better show by experience tnat It
IL injurious to your industries than you
could possibly do without having suffered
the INJURY you anticipate.
1.-THE reason you assign for repeal is
that the severe cold has prevented your
working.
AN ACT OF GOD.
This is an act OF God which man cannot
foresee and legislatures cannot prevent.
and we must bear it without murmuring,
In the hope that it will be IN the end tor our
good. Nou are much better on IMAM ine
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 1t Is DIFF
ferent. The oysters which you have tailed
TO take this season will remain until the
next. when you will get them fat and full
grown, which will be equivalent to large
interest for the delay.
FEELS DEEP INTEREST.
~ feel deep interest IN the oyster IN
dustry. | am doing all l can to preserve
ard protect II, and hope 10 see the time
when 1t will be IN moro prosperous
condition than 1t Is now; that the Leglsla-
ture NAV be able to enact law based upon
the eXperlcuCe WplcD you are HOW phS,lug
through: that il may give entire satlsfac-
ton TO all classes OF your people; that the
effect of il nav be seen IN the increased
value of your lands, and IN the improved
condition of your entire section: that
there may be a great revival of trade and
the various industries all through Tide
water Virginia. This is what AIN striving
TO ACCOMPLISH with all my energy OF body
and mind"
THE FATE OF ALL PEOPLE.
IF unfortunate years do come to you it
is but the fate of all people and all sec
tons. We must bear them with reslgna-
ton. Since the days OF Joseph and Pha-
raoh the lean and the tat years have been
succeeding each other. | wish | knew Of
some way TO relieve you of your troubles,
but cannot devise any at TINS moment.
Your suggestion, if carried out, might
prove delusive and bring about other
troubles than the one or which you now
complain"
The committee that drew up the petition
was composed of n. $. Fox, John Acey.
c. E. Dlggs, G.. w. Foster. W. l. Williams.
John Spriggs. John r. Winder, and Joha
r. Smith,