Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-02-21

such ornaments ~ tney now nave.
We should either determine 10 protect
our waters absolutely, or abandon oil
police surveillance over them, and cease
our efforts to raise revenue from their
nroeucts and allow them to become the
common ground OF the citizens OF the
Commonwealth without restrictions ana
the preylngground OF every predatory
craft that may please TO enter them.
nut I most earnestly insist that not
only do our material interests and justice
10 our own citizens demand prompt and
vigorous legislative action on our part
in the direction OF protection, but the
honor and dignity OF the Commonwealth
demand IL.
I, has been demonstrated that with
nroner management a considerable reve-
nue can be raised from our oyster-beds,
proyided they are preserved. and those
who engage in planting can be made to
feel that their capital and labor VIII not
no taken from them by thieves. SO that
from a revenue standpoint we should
have mone effective legislation. and the
more effective the protection the more
persons VIII engage in the business. and
consequently the more revenue VIII be
raised
Again. under the present system OF
renting. the renter has the right 10 look 10
the power that requires him to pay rent
for greater security. His privileges. Ike
the tongers, should be carefully guarded.
STATE HONOR AT STAKE.
IN, above all other considerations Is
the honor and dignity OF tho Common
wealth. These waters belong TO Virginia
absolutely and unqualifedly. Every foot
NJ them Is within .hc ancient boundary
OF Virginia. She has declared that they
shall be preserved for the exclusive
benefit Of her citizens: that non-residents
shall not enter them. This Is her solemn
declaration. and her past history Is re-
splcndent with her hrrnness Of purpose
and fidelity TO resolution.
Will she now depart from the course
which she has thus so long illuminedY
WIN she. by inacton, allow her rights
IN no trampled upon by bands OF reck-
loss and desperate men? VIII she tamely
submit 10 the incursions of those whom
she has expressly excluded? VIII she
o,,iefIv submit 10 the defiance OF her
laws and the invasion OF her territory
by lawIcss men with arms in their hands
ready 10 murder her law Officers If they
dare resist them In their schemes or
Iaw.Icssness and plumber?
CEp taxes care 10 ffIOItt HfI dWr
AGAINST wrong-doers on her lands; will
sbe not on her waters? She stops not tc
enouir. the cost OF suppressng a moi
in any Of her cities or quelling a dis
turbauce in any of her rural districts
viii she withhold her strong arm from
nor rivers. sounds, and bays in times OF
| similar trouble?
PROTECTION on THE WATER.
/ It 10, 4 nd Tho
mission of crime less reprehensible in the
| Taneier and Pocomoke Sounds than II
her capital city? Is not one portion of bei
| domain as sacred in her estimation as an
| other. and the peace and welfare Of Tide
water as important as the peace and wei
fare Of the Valley or any other section
| Her past answers all these questions
As the Executive of Virginia, sharing
| her glory with all her sons. and prou'
! Of her fair name. and commanded by mel
! To take care that the laws be faithfully
executed" / feel deeply my helpless con
| dition and my inability. for want of prope
| means. the result of inadequate legislation
! 10 obey her command ana execute I'M
| high trust imposed In me; listen dally u
the accounts which reach me of the VIC
lation Of her laws and the defiance OF ne
lawful authority with feelings OF apJee
| humiliation.
In conclusion. | most respectfully bu
, earnestly recommend such immediate &C
tiou upon the part of your honorabl
| bodies as will enable me to guard effec
lively the waters of Tangier and POGO
moke Sounds and the property and right
| Of Virginia therein. arrest violators
her law and sustain her dignity.
TWO RECOMMENDATlO
To this end would respectfully recon-
mend the passage of an act authorizin
and directing the construction or pun
chase of two steam launches OF moder
and strong build. light draught and rapi
| movement and the equippng of each VII
two guns of improved pattern and lon
| range. | am not able to state definitel
| the cost Of the vessels and their arma
| monts. but from the best information
| have II will not exceed fifteen thousan
| Sl5OOW dollars. which will be inconsid
| cradle In comparison with the purpose
| To be attained and the immense benefit
10 he derived with these two Launches
in my opinion, it will only be necessar
| TO maintain in the service one schoone
| OF course more vessels would give nor
protection, and If. in your opinion. II
two schooners should be retained 1t WI
meet with my approval. / have simpl
stated the least number of vessels whlc
| believe can be relied upon for effectI
work What l earnestly urge is actio
| and vigorous legislation. Let us not dali
with this question. II is too importan
Let us no longer expect "A boy to do
mans work. 1t is too serious a matter.
| would further recommend that al
| other bill be passed creating commi
sion of two. to he elected by the Gener
Assembly or appointed by the Executiv
as may be deemed best TO be known
| tho OYSTER Commission, and invest II WI
the general control, direction, and MAJ
| agcmcnt of the oyster interest OF u
state. This | think, Is absolutely nece
gary. If we hope TO make our oyster-i
dustry a source of revenue To any col
siderable extent. / refer only 10 the &c
eral features of the bill. | shall not oil
cuss its details. The power of remov
! of the members of the commission shou
| be- vested In the Board on the Chesapeal
ana its Tributaries or the Executive Il
malfeasance, misfeasance, inefiiciency'
| neglect Of duty
FAVORS RECIPROCITY.
with implicit faith in the patriotism al
wisdom OF your honorable bodies, sh'
now submit these hastily prepared Vie'
and suggestions. But before concludin
desire to say that i would he mu'
rleased IL there could be such reciproci
between Maryland and Virginia as "
cltn,x the law officers of one state To pu
s,,e violators OF the law In the Tansi
md Pocomoke sounds into the other al
,bere make arrests. The relations OF I
Nyo states have always been so cordi
and their interests so closely allied mat
indulge the hope that some legislation
that end may at no distant day De secure
,sienedD CHARLES #. OfEhhAi-h
The Dredgers Routed.
rate Yesterday afternoon Govern
o'Ferrail received the following teiveiai
ACCoMAC c. H., February %th
fyo, Charles T. O'Ferrall' Goverhc
Richmond, Va; ,
"Had a spirited engagement iast nls
with fifteen or twenty Maryland c'euee
In Tangier Sound. Succeeded IN Ca
turing schooners w. +. Price ana T.
stevenson. both of Crisheid, Md'' WI
their crews. except captains, VINO eACsp
IN. vaN,l-boats. Drove balance OUT Oh
ss,ia waters. All the captured deliver
IN the authorities OF Accomac county
" Wv "W. L. t.UDGlNS.
commander Steamer CHESAPEAKE
covernor O'Ferrali Immediately te
graphed his thanks and eonsra'uia''o
I 10 Captain Hudgins.
. THE SURVEY.
Tho senat.a Committee on Fish and Gar
a .l.fs..