The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-02-21
The T1MEs-RlcHMoND VA WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY q 1894.

nave had at our hands. Our oyster
80, ana our citizens engaseu III INC
,iaoe' are entitled 10 more protection
IMAM Is now extended 10 them. Our men
VINO compose our oyster police force
deserve better treatment than they now
receive. and should not be required to
iish iheir lives on such vessels and with
sucn ornaments as they now have.
We should either determine tor protect
our waters absolutely, or abandon AL
pohVe surveillance over th'nl, ana cease
our EFFORTS TO raise revenue rom their
produc's' and allow them 10 become the
common ground Of the eiuzens or the
commonwealth without restriction, and
the preying ground OF every predatory
craft that may please To enter them.
But | must 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 de-
mand II.
II has been demonstrated that with
proper management cohslderable rev.
enue can be raised from our oyster beds
provided they are preserved and those
who engage in planting can De made TO
feel that their capital ana labor VIII
not be taken from them ny thieVes- 80
that from a revenue stahuPo.hl We snPuid
have more effective legislation, and the
more effective the protection the more
persons win engage I'm the business. and
consequently the more revenue will be
raised
Again. under the present system OF
renting tho renter has the right TO look
TO the mower that requires him TO pay
rent for greater security. His privileges,
like tho tongers should be carefully
guarded PM above all other cOnsidera-
lions is tho honor and dignity Of the Com
monwoaltb These waters belong 10 Nir-
ginia. absolutely and unqualihedly. Every
foot Of them is within the ancient
boundary Of Virginia one mas declared
that they shall be preserved Tor the
exclusive benefit Of her cltlzens; that
non-resldents shall not enter them. ms
is her solemn declaration anu hei p"S'
history is resplendent with her hrinness
Of nurnose and fidelity to resolution.
Wnl she now depart from the course
which she has thus so long illuminedI
VIII she nv inacti0n. allow her rights
10 no trarnled upon by bands OF reckless
and desnerate men? VIII she tamely sub
nit TO the incursions Of those whom she
has expressly excluded? VIII she quleuy
submit to the defiance OF her laws ana
the invasion Of her territory by lawless
men vritb arms i'm their hands, ready
IN murder her law officers If they dare
resist them i'm their schemes or lawless-
ness and plumber?
Enforce Her Laws.
She takes care 10 enforce her laws
against wrong-doers on ner land, VIII
she not on her water? She stops not 10
inquire the cost Of suppressins hiou
I'm any OF her cities, or queling as
turbance in any Of her rural Districts
will she withhold her strong arm from
her rivers. sounds. and bays In times oil
similar trouble?
Is the. violation OF her laws and the
commission Of crime less reprehensible III
the Tangier and Pocomoke sounds than
I'm her capital city? Is not one portion OF
her domain as sacred in her estimation
as another and the peace and welfare
Of Tidewater as important as the peace
and welfare Of the Valley or any other
section? Her past answers all these
questions.
I would respectfully recommend the
passage Of an act authorizing and direct
ing the construction or purchase OF two
steam launches Of modern and strong
build. light draft. and rapid movement
and the eqipping OF each with two guns
Of improved pattern and long range
/ would further recommend that another