The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-03-02
THE OYSTkK 1ON,hOVERSY.
, Delegation from he Mary and l. gisla-
tuIe ui- u Governor O'TerraIi


A committee from the Legislature Of
Maryland arrived I'm this city yesterday
afternoon for the purpose Of comforting
with Governor OFerrall in regard to a
settlement Of the recent difficulties with
oyster dredgers in Tangier sound The
Governor sent Mr.. Evan X. Chesterman.
his private secretary, TO the Exchange
Hotel inviting the gentlemen from Mary
land to appear before him at =. NJ.
However. II was not until L. NJ. when
the delegation put in its appearance. II
consisted OF Senator l.. J.. Waters OF
Somerset, and Delegates William a. Tull,
Lloyd Williamson, and Charles II. Carter,
or Somerset. who we're accompanied BY
Mr. II. T.. West. OF the Baltimore sun.
Lieutenant-Goyernor Kent and Speaker
Cardwell, OF the House. also were in at
tendance. After the meeting had been
called TO order. Senator Waters stated
the object OF the visit OF his delegation.
lie said they did not come in any bad
spirit or evil animUs, but they thought
the existing difficulties could be settled in
an amicable manner so that the existing
pleasant relations between the two States
might continue. The State OF Maryland
had always had the utmost friendliness
towards Virginia.
Senator Waters next presented the reso-
y
ture, which have been published in The
Times. He asked that Virginia make
restitution for the damage done recently
20 the Maryland boats. and he asserted
that the Virginia boats had invaded the
Maryland waters and attacked the Mary
land people.
Governor O'Ferrall stated 10 his visitors
that he had been reliably informed that
the pirates who We're captured in the
Virginia waters while violating the exist
ing laws were non-residents who were
dredging at the time at Old Woman's
marsh, a natural oyster bed in Tangier
sound. Captain Hudgins. the commander
of the Chesapeake had called on him
day or TWO ago and informed him that
the dredging had been done in Virginia
waters. This information was very posi-
tive.
The Governor continued that it would
be his pleasure, and that at the same
time ne considered it his duty TO lay the
whole matter before the General Assem-
bly, OF Virginia. He felt convinced that
it's members would meet the people OF
Maryland in The proper spirit. The trou-
bles recently in Tangier sound We're 10
him a matter OF deep regret. but ne was
sure Virginia would uphold her dignity
and would uphold her laws, no matter
who might violate them.
II any citizen Of Virginia should ever
enter the waters Of Maryland for the
purpose Of taking oysters. he hoped th,v
would be punished to the fullest extent
of the law. AS far as the dispute i'm re-
gard 10 the Pocomoke sound was con-
cerned that question was still in litiga-
ton. but there was no question as 10
the dividing lire between the two States
in Tangier sound. The marduders caught
recently dredging at Old Womans Marsh
were violating the Virginia laws. and
they were also violating the Virginia
ana Maryland laws by dredging at night
II the demand made I'm the resolution
presented by the gentlemen from Mary
land was recognized. he thought that the
latter state. In turn. would recognize
the demands Of Virginia. and pay for the
oysters which had been taken by its
citzens from the Virginia waters.
senator Waters stated that he could
submit afiidavits from citizens of Mary
and. showing that the dredging of oys-
ters by persons not entitled 10 IL had been
done In Maryland waters. and he added
that he could also bring affidaylts to the
same effect from a few Nirginians. who
witnessed the dredging from the shore
When asked how far these Nirginians
had been from the place where the dredg-
ing was done, Mr.. Waters said about
eight miles. and the Governor naturally
questioned the reliability of the parties
in question. inasmuch as they had TO see
over a distance of eight miles.
II was the opinion Of the gentlemen
from Maryland that the boats connscated
by the Nirginians should be returned TO I
their owners. one OF the members OF the
Maryland delegation thought that the
warfare between Maryland and Virginia
was not only disagreable, but also dis
graceful. and the frequent firing of |
shots was endangering the lives Of the !
citizens who were travelling up and down |
the bay. He hoped. however, that some |