Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1894-11-03

cases, if they got to contributing
that | had represented his father in
the courts of this county. | replied
l would not be retained as attorney
in the case as it might look like TAX
ing fees for matters which it was my
duty SIS a Senator to attend to, but
if the only objection to his holding
the land was he got to the inspector
first | thought he would have no
trouble. He replied that Lewis only
wanted me if he had to GO to law
about the matter, but | refused to be
employed under any circumstances.
Up to this time ] had never heard
word of objection to the bill from TINS
county or elsewhere-a space OF time
from the 18th of January to the oth
of March. Later in the day Captain
Chambers, of Northumberland came
to me and told me the passage OF the
bill was q mistake, that the Hog Is
land Flats were dredging grounds IN
the Potomac river very valuable ana
natural oyster rocks. ] told him 1t
was the first | had any idea such was
the case; that had | known it not
ONLY would not have assisted the pas
are of the bill, but would have OPP
posed it and defeated it if possible.
/ Immediately Crew bill to repeal it
but ii was utterly impossible in the
hurry of the last few hours to effect
il. | even asked the Senator on the
floor to yield to me to offer the b IL,
hut he refused. Captain Chambers
told me he said it could not be re-
pealed in the few hours remaining:
and expressed his regret that | had
not been informed sooner of the facts.
The bill to repealit he has now III my
hand writing. | never heard word
in opposition from Accomac till got
home. In the summer of IS | was a
member of the special committee to
investigate the oyster culture. / took
the committee up to Hog Island,
showed them the boundaries, tried to
prove that it was outside of the head
land on the Virginia side, SO as 10 re
ouire concurrent legislation to be
valid. | even got Mr.. Lewis TO testi
f. before the committee and under
nv examination he stated that II
had been dredged on the preceding
season by either of both States.
argued befo e the committee that the
act was not binding, that Lew
rot no title and asked the committee
so to report. The report has moi
been made off, and will not he til
about the time of the meeting of the
next General Assembly. | am conf
dent the committee will so report. L
it does not | will bring in a minority
report to that effect. That it was {
mistake to pass the bill see and ad
nit as readily as anyo lie, but
thought it was simplya local bill, no
affect rS the people of any county bu'
Northumberland, and the Senator
from that county said they desired it
| thought | was doing kindness t.
an Accomac man at the same tim
AS soon as found l was in error, an(
l had no inklinS of it till the last da!
of the session of the Legislature,
did all any man could do to undo 1t
l have continued to do it since; an(
if | go back to the Senate the frs
bill | will offer will be bill repeating
it. and if | have the influence l vii
effect its repeal.
l make this lenghthy Ltatement a
the req TEST of friends who advise mt
that this matter is being misunder
stood and misrepresented. Since
have been candidate for reelection
my opponents, l am informed, have
circulated statements relative to Thu
matter detrimental to my candidac,
and my reputation. The statement
have made contain all the facts il
volved. / made q mistake but III
honest mistake, the effect of which
have tried and am still trying, and i
sent back to the Senate will still con
tinue to try to overcome.
Respectfully,
J. w. g. BLACKSTONE.