Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-02-25
rh. p.r.s.. Of TIE chs.apeaks,

vno fafotoo OF vno Onooop0oxos
Numbers OF newspapers In and out Of
Virginia are taking humorous views Of
the ''oystcr war; In the Chesapeake coun-
try. Not even the much-abused plumber
has ever provoked more humorous para
graphs than has this subject. While we
cannot object 20 any journalist relieving
his overcharged brain by q fling at the
war" we urge that the Legislators Of
tho two States give the matter more
serious attention II things continue as
they now arc there Is no telling when
there may be great bloodshcd. Legisla-
tors should not walt TIL there has been
serious loss of life before they act.
Virginia, for her part, might as well
make up her mind to enforce her laws
against the pirates. or have her authority
1eered at by everybody in and out OF
the State.
One great obstacle to prompt and de-
cisive action is that many Ok our lcgisIa'
tors do not give the subject due atten-
ton. They do not realize that these de-
predations are not joking matters. II
they are not stopped the time may come
when the Virginians Of the Chesapeake
and the Marylandcrs Of that region-or
at least many OF them-will undertake
to settle the questions at issue for them
selves.
Firmly opposed as is the Dispatch to
the State spending one dollar OF money
that can be- husbanded against the
time when we shall have to pay per
cent. interest on our State bonds. we
have no hesitation in urging that the
si5. 900 needed to purchase two light-draft
steam-launchcs be appropriated at once
II Virginia is going to assert her au-
thority these police boats must be bought
This is the first step. We must teach the
depredators that 1t Is dangerous to tres
pass upon Virginia territory; territory
well known to be ours. AS II Is. our au-
thority is often openly set at naught-
The Legislature should be all the more
willing to vote this money for the pro-
lection Of her property on the eastern
Shore since the people over there are
among the truest Of the "true-bluS" VII
glnians, and precious little indeed have
they ever gotten out OF our state Trea-
sury. For them the State hos built no
railroads or canals or public instltutiona.
They have paid in much revenue ard
gotten back little.
The Commemorative Attorney OF Ac-
comac county, who has given years OF
thought 10 the subject. says that we not
only need these light-draft launches, but
that il is desirable also that Maryland
and Virginia should have an agreement
which will allow the pursuit Of depre-
dators from one State into the other. as
recommended by Governor O'Ferrall. As
it is now. the Marylanders keep as near
as possible to the border-line. SO that
when detected in robbing Virginia oyster
rocks they may raise sail ani cross the
line and laugh the Virginia officers to
scorn.
IfSUch an Interstate ARA lgenent could
be made upon terms consonant with the
dignity and safety of each State there
would be no more "oyster wars: the
piratical FISHERMAN would become a crea-
ture of the past.
No doubt there are lawDre lt,ng oyster
men in Virginia who give the Mary
landers trouble at times, but IL happens
that most of Marylands oyster-rocks near
the border have been depleted, and there
fore there is not that temptation TO Viz
ginians to raid Maryland territory that
there is to Marylanders to raid Virginia
territory. So is ii that we are the chief
victims OF the present state Of affairs
AS TO culling dredging. &c. the recent
conferences at Washington between repre-
sdntatives Of Maryland and Virginia lead
TO the belief that there will he CO.
operative legislation on the part of the
beneficial to the entire oyster interest
and be promotive Of good feeling between
the two peoples. But the steam launches
we must have right Off. and must man
and equip to aid the steamer Chesapeake
until depredations have wholly CEASED,
and the depredators have turned their
hands to honest work.
Meanwhile let no thoughtless person
imagine that Virginia and Maryland are
going to sunder the bonds of friendship
which have bound them together for two
centuries. Their lawbreakers make both
grieye, but these offenders are as but one In
many thousands compared with the great
masses OF people who respect the law,
and appreciate the kindly relations of the
two States. Governor Brown, OF Mary
land was in the city yesterday. and We
doubt not that his visit will prove promo
tive Of an understanding between the two
controversy between them.