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

last summer and fall. The winter and
early spring was consumed IN mailing
the maps and charts required for per-
feet understanding OF this important " ork.
For the facts connected with IL I VIII
BE- compelled 20 refer you 10 the reports
OF the officers In charge. These gentle men
ali deserve the thanks of the General As
sembly for the efficient services they
have D ,ndered In preparing the useful
maps and surveys OF all the oyster lands
belonging TO Virginia, and thus furnishing
an intelligent basis FOR any disposition
we propose TO make OF those lands. and
enabling us with accuracy TO delineate the
surveys OF each holder of oyster lands.
as they are marked out by the proper
aushoities.
Defect IN the Law.
It would cucumber this message too
much for me 70 discuss minutely the
legislation we now have on the subject
and | must be content to make a brief
allusion 10 the same. and its most inn
portant defects. SO much OF the law
as creates the Board OF the Chesapeake,
With It's powers, should be repealed This
Board is composed Of the Governor. the
First Auditor and the Treasurer. These
gentlemen have as much as they can do,
and my experience satisfies me that they
have not sufficient time 20 devote 90 such
duties as are required OF this Commission,
without seriously neglectiug duties more
properly belonging 20 their offices.
a. This Board should be dissolved, and
It's duties assigned 10 another officer who
should be selected by the Legislature, Of
whom I shall speak more particularly
hereafter.
2) The vessels now used as n force to
guard and protect our oyster interests,
should be DISPOSED Of. as unfit for that
purpose. Others better suited should be
selected and they should be controlled in
different manner.
3D. Sec. 213i Of the Code Of Virginia. IN
relation to inspectors and their duty.
should be amended so as TO embrace
rents. thus giving a quick remedy, and
not requiring the inspectors to get
distress warrant in every case. 10 is slow.
inconvenient and costly. If the present
law is retained. this section should be
amended, as suggested.
4) The inspectors should not be apoint-
ed by the judges OF the County Courts.
They have no special interest I'm this
work. and are In no way responsible for
the efficiency Of the law or it's execution.
1t imposes upon them duty which does
not properly belong TO their offices, and
is executed viii be apparent upon an in
vestgation.
o. The great inducement offered TO the
citizens Of Virginia TO rent the oyster
lands and 10 engage i'm oyster culture.
satisfies me that there are not now sufli-
cient resources among the people TO cul-
tivate 10 all. There is also such a draft
on the Treasury that they should be rent
ed out 90 raise revenue. II will be better
also for the planters because as much
~ the ground should be occupied rs T,s-
siJie, 10 prevent the unoccu2,71 ceres
from being a place Of rendezvous for the
lawless trespassers; and the oysters On
such places will be an inducement for
them 10 gather there. and 10 go forth at
unexpected times 10 prey upon the pro-
perty Of the citizens.
! wOuld. therefore, advise that the COM
missioner, after reasonable time he al
lowed to rent 90 persons who are not
citizens, such parts as have not been taken
UP. but he should i'm no case give 20
such nonresident a lower price than that
offered 10 a citizen Of the State.
Assessor and Collee nrs.
There should be appointed by the Shell
Fish Commissioner. with proper bonds.
oaths and checks a sufficient number Of
assessors and collectors, SO "a 10 issure
the faithful enrolment of all the oyster
lands. with the names Of the occupants
and the number and kind of vessels en-
gagged in oystering and fishing, and the coli
lection and accounting for all the revenue
and rents received by them they should
make their reports I'm triplcate, one copy
10 be- deposited with the Fish Commission
er one with the Clerk Of the county. and
one with the Auditor Of Public Accounts.
II is asserted that a large amount Of
rent and revenue which could, with a
little care. be collected, Is never realized,
because OF the inehcency and indiffer-
ence Of the proper officers. and some
which is collected is never accounted for.
There is no way 20 ascertain the facts,
because Of the imperfection in the pres
ent law. This should be remeded The law
should be so amended as to make it conform
as nearly as possible 20 the law now IN
force for the assessing and collecting or
the other revenues Of the state.
The captains OF the vessels would be
the proper persons 20 collect this revenue,
and the assessors should be appointed
by the Shell Fish Commissioner.
Shell Fish Commissioners.
After examining the question. 1 am sat
isded that this subject should be taken
from the Board Of the Chesapeake, and
from the County Court, and il should be
come by law "a separate and distinct de-
partment Of the government.
There should be placed at It's head an
efficient man, who has the energy and
ability to make himself acquainted with
this great interest, with the courage 10
enforce IL strictly. He should be so well
paid as TO demand the services OF an
cficer OF ability to organize and manage
the whole fish and oyster interest Of the
State.
lie should be elected by the Legislature
for a term OF four years. thus giving him
an opportunity TO show his ability, and he
should be removed by the Governor for
maIfeasance or misfeasance, or ineniciency
in his office
lie should be allowed a sufficient number
Of assistants or deputies TO enable him
10 enforce ;he law; TO rent out their
grounds, To collect the reL:s. or whatever
else may be due TO the state for any
privilege which may be granted, touching
the question.
lie should be required 10 register the
vessels engaged in catching fish, oysters,
crabs and clans, and all other things
which live in the waters OF Virginia. and
are the subjects Of legislation.
There should be pat at his command
three or more steam launches, well armed,
for the purpose Of protecting our property,
our people and our waters from all in;ru-
ders and for enforcing the laws OF the
State
After a trial for years, our police boats
have shown their inehlciency and they
should be sold. and the money used 20
procure suitable vessels for the purpose
aforesaid. Such yessels can be purchased
at 5000 each, and they VIII be sufficient
20 90 the work we desire
our present facilities are not suitable.