The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-11

Tn view Of the oyster convention called
by the Chamber of Commerce for January
18th. following closely upon the message
of Governor Mckinney. there is reason
able fear that an unhealthy enthusiasm
In the line Of oyster revenue threatens the
State To those who view the oyster
question from a theoretical standpoint
the late increase Of revenue may nat
urally lead 10 false assumptions and
unfair and even dangerous conclusions.
Certainly there are many important con-
sideratiOns involved which should have
due weight in determining further oyster
| legislation.
With no practical knowledge OF oyster
! culture. the inference is fair enough that
iOn acr.s nettOm j. 1iuewater
| Virginia. at a uniform rental of 81 per
acre viii yield the State a million of dol
lars annual revenue. No arithmeticai
proposition could be palmer and simpler;
and TO the theorist, who may be reve-
nue. enthusiast, the solution is as graft
flying as logical But, unfortunately. to
the practiced oysterman IL is equally plain
that q large portion Of this so-called
planting ground is absolutely worthless as
oyster bottom, and that no resident. or
nonresident. could be induced 10 plant IL,
even with bonus from the State. in
stead Of tax. II is oy no means a
furnishes suitable sites for planting
grounds. There are many local condi-
tons inimical not only TO the growth but
the life Of the plant as the FISHERMAN
often learns from expensive experience.
which the theorist has failed to point out.
1t is even more difficult for the planter
10 comprehend how even the marshes
alons the sea-coast Of Accomac and
Northampton are TO be made especially
g.. oil, fl.r fls.4r ora
merely high turf-banks, thicldy set in
coarse grass, anu rery rarely Covered by
water at the highest tides.
But, granting. the assumptions OF the
theorists the planter himself knows very
well that 90 cover all these bottoms with
plants is TO practically impoYerish the
preat oyster field and dwarf the whole
crop by an over-demand on the food |
supply This fact has been too often dem |
onstrated within the limits of local stu
atoms, and is too plain and simple 10
pass unnoticed. And hence II becomes a |
matter OF some practical Importance to |
determine, before enthusiasm has run |
too far, how many acres Of bottom are TO |
be eliminated from the estimate so conf |
IDENTIFY given out. and upon which this |
gratifying calculation for revenue is
made.
II is. therefore, easy to see that progress
In the line indicated by the Governors /
message should at least be slow enough 10
be safe. There are many thousands of
Virginia's citizens dependent upon this in
dustry for their daily bread. Most OF them
Dy constant. hard toll exposure. and risk
of life, are ekng out scanty support.
These people should not be needlessly en-
and distressed on the assump-
ton of theories not maturely considered.
ITO foster and protect the oyster industry
of the State for the benefit Of its own citi-
zens is the manifest duty Of the Conn
TO foster and protect 1t
mainly in the direction Of State revenue,
and possibly 20 the extent OF comproms-
ing the industry itself both TO the State
and its citizens, would be poor statesman
ship and poor public policy. IL is even
possible that undue enthusiasm on the
subject may ultimately lead 10 serious re-
coil against the very theory upon which
1t is based. And our Legislature. charged
with the grave responsibility Of dealing
with this question, will likely give It the
serious, practical consideration the sub
ject deserves. G.. W. l..
Richmond, Jan. 10, 1891.