Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-01-13
INFORMAL DISCUSSION AT NIGHT.
The Proceedings to BE Laid Before the
Legislature for Action.

Legislature Tor AfAipN'
The uight session Of the convention was
not so largely attended as the others. The
subject was then thrown open for general
discussion. and Captain Orris y. Browne
Of Cape Charles. and member of the
state Board Of Agriculture. addressed the
body at some length. In discussing the
practical points involved in oyster culture
DC dwclt uuon the manner of building
up the oyster interest and declared that
IL could not bc done hy taxation.
Captain Browne dealt with the history
of the oyster i'm Virginia, referring TO the
laws previously adopted here IN IT'S CON
nection. lie then took up me scleh.ilc
culture OF the "hiyalyes,' and In TINS
respect said. Il found years ago that
ihe subject had been scientifically dealt
with after the destruction Of the natural
bed Of the oyster i'm France and IN Eng
land. The work done in France was
by Coste. and that of England Was found
IN the British parliamentary reports.
These ana all other works on the subject
j secured and gave them much thought
and applied it To the case Of virginia.
] soon becamc convinced that we were
following the footsteps Of both the coun-
tries mentioned. As a warning. ! made
u report 20 the Auditor In 1870. which was
printed. recommending that steps be taken
10 introduce oyster culture. This report
was not noticed. as no danger OF decrease
IN the oystor-bcds was manifest. In lsll an
other report WAS made on, the subject which
conuile1 statistics showing the decline
in Europe, and recited laws that We're
enacted To revive the oyster-bsls. etc.
This report met with no better fate than
the one that preceded H.
DAY ABOUT TO BREAK.
Captain Browne spoke Of the great trou-
hles experienced i'm getting legislation. the
establishment. dissolution, and re-estab-
lishment Of the oyster navy, and con-
tinung. said:
many the belief that the day is about
10 break, and that tine wealth will soon
roll i'm. This will prove like the other
predictions. and the air-castle5 built on
this subject Will sink. because they are
not on pood oyster bottoms. During the
tWenty-eight years in which efforts to OBJ
tain revenue have been running, there
have been before the public many enthu-
siastic officials. I'm turn who knew bow
To make the oyster yield his wealth. but
as yet none have succeeded.
AS 4 FOOD SUPPLY.
"The standpoint from which this inte-
rest ought 10 De regarded ~ that OF
food supply. and 10 increase IL 10 the
greatest rOint Of production possible. To
do this. II must be treated as other indus
tries The survey OF the natural DeuS
have not been completed ana accepted
with favor When ! first advocated this
plan. IL was very unpopular. ana II went
SO far as 10 cause a meeting or the
oystermcn 10 denOunce II. and the author
q N.
In the proper direction Will be approved
when the people fully understand 1t.
THE next step Is 10 grant the grounds
outside of the natural beds for oyster
culture. and leave each person untram-
meled to DO as he thinks best with i;
Give the best possible title. and II would
seem that II the state can rent these
lands. that she could sell them ana thls
oaght To be at no greater price than she
has sold them 10 others, her territory
containing valuable gifts OF nature IN
coal. iron. and other metals
CAPTAIN Browne concluded by referring
TO a new process invented and patented
by which oysters at temperature OF
from % degrees can be kept for sixty days
In perfect condition.
JUDGE EWELL'S VIEWS.
Judge Ewel Of Lancaster disagreed
with Captain Browne In some respects.
He thought that the State should go on
with the present law until II could oe
seen what would be reaped by the state
and the people thercfrom. Ii could be as
certained from time TO time how the law
should be amended 80 as 10 suit the
conditions.
Mr. Alexander +. Warner. representing
the Board Of Trade of Norfolk, spoke
/ briefly upon the question OF taxation: lie
! thought that the oyster as a nutritious
/ food should not be subject 10 extraordl-
nary. taxation. Therefore, taking up MT
Winslow's suggestion as 10 eanlpaish
Of education, Mr. Warner offered the fol-
i lowing:
MIR. WARMERS PROPOSITION.
Resolved. That committee be ap-
pointed from this boQy whose duly ~
shall be 10 compile in clear practical,
and comprehensive. ItlEner pamphlet
containing an exposition OF the great ne
cessity for action looking TO the artificial
propagation OF oysters In the waters OF
this State. and the rebuilding OF the de-
pleted beds and rocks.
THAT said publication shall also con-
tain simple and practical directions OF the
most approved and scientific processes
for such artificial propagation, and shali
also contain comparative statistics as 10
sums realized from the sale OF oysters
/ taken from the public grounds and OF
| those taken from grounds practically and
| scientifically worked. ~,
| THAT said committee prepare Dill
! providlng for the compilation and publica-
? tion OF said pamphlet by the state OF VIZ
glnia, and urge It's enactment by the
General Assembly.
.aThat il is the conviction OF the con-
\ yention that we cannot continue 70 reap
unless we sometimes sow; and that. N
! our opinion. Il u the imperative eufy OF