Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-01-13
LETTER FROM RICHMOND.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette J
RICHMOND, Va. Jan. II, 1891.

The oyster convention, the object of
which was stated in this correspond
ence yesterday, met at noon to-day in
the chamber of commerce. For half an
hour before Judge Christian called the
body together, there was hundred or
more gentlemen grouped about in differ
elt parts of the hall discussing the va
rious merits of the toothsome bivalve.
Conspicuous in the crowd was Hon.
Marshall Mcdonald, U. S. commission
er of fish and fisheries, and his interest
ing and intelligent remarks about the
system were listened to with the closest
attention, Mayor Ellyson made q
beautiful address of welcome and made
every one feel perfectly at home by his
kindly words and thong htful manner.
He began his address by saying Il
never have a more pleasant duty as
signed me than when / am accorded
the privilege of assuring our visitors
that we are glad to see them. trust
that no Virginian needs such an assur-
ance, for / hope that all of the citizens
of this Commonwealth feel at home in
their capital city. TO the distinguished
gentlemen, who from beyond the Dor
ders of the State, have come to contri-
butte of their experience aud wisdom to
our deliberations, l bid Especial well
come and extend cordial greeting.
nWe have come to talk as business
men in business way, about business
matter. We have come to consider
that which 1 believe, if wisely consider
ed, will result in advantage to the in
terests of the individual and promote
at the same time the welfare of the
Commonwealth"
On motion of Major Jed Hotchkiss
the chair appointed the following COM
mittee on permanent organization.
Major Hotchkiss, Major Mann Page,
ex-Gov. Mckinney, r. Carter Scott,
and VIM. Ellinger.
After short retirement the commit
tee reported as permanent organization
Mayor ]. Taylor Ellyson, chairman, R.
A. Dunlop, secretary, and the following
yice-presidents Ex-Governor McKin-
new, J. r. Baylor, A. F. Withrow, r. II.
a. Brown, r. S. Thomas aud Judge
Garnett.
The convention then adjourned until
1 o'clock.
At the afternoon session Governor
O'Ferrall and ex-governor Mckinney,
and nearly all of the members of the
General Assembly were present, and
addresses were delivered by Capt. ] B.
BAYLOR, Of the u. S. coast survey, who
for the past two years has been survey
ing and charting the Virginia oyster
bottoms ex-Lieutenant Winslow, of
the U. 5. navy, who performed a similar
work for North Carolina Mr.. Henry
c. Rowe, one of the largest and most
successful planters of Long Island ;
Hon. Marshall Mcdonald, U. S. fish
commissioner, and Professor Brooks, Of
Johns Hopkins University.
The main point impressed by all the
speakers was that if the oyster was cul-
tivated in Virginia it would become a
source of immense revenue to the Com
monwealth and profit to the planters.
Some more interesting facts were given
as to the peculiar adaptability Of the
chesapeake Bay for oyster-planting
and the possibilities of the industry.
Professor Brooks stated that since 1885
the Chesapeake Bay had yielded 400, 900
900 bushels of oysters simply from its
natural crop, but, with cultivation, its
annual Weld could be made that much
more.
The address dealt largely with the
feeding of the oyster. 1.-THE night ses-
sion Mr. Orris Browne, of Cape Charles
City, read a paper, and then there was
general discussion of the whole oys-
ter question. The convention resolved
to lay the information it had obtained
before the General Assembly.
Mach interest is felt in Richmond in
the congressional fight now on in the
Seventh district. The concensus of
opinion here is that Hon. Basil B. Cor
don will be the successful man. His
great experience gives him an advan-
tage, backed up by party service and a
thorough acquaintanceship makes it
almost certain that he will be the win
ner. He will be worthy successor to
Colonel O'Ferrall, and the mantle of
that distinguished gentleman would
find a suitable resting place upon the
shoulders of the late State chairman.
The Richmond letter in the Peters
burg Inder-Appeal to-day has the fol-
low: "Mr. William G.. Owens, of Man
chester, who for several years has been
connected with the Richmond press
and correspondent for several northern
papers, has entered the race for the
postmastership of his city. He is quite
popular there and it is said will receive
strong backing for the place"
1t begins to look as though Rich
mond would get the new court that it
has been fighting for ever since the leg
slature has been in session. The new
tribunal will be known as the Court Of
Law and Equity. The new court will
relieve both the circuit and chancery
courts of some of their labors.
The House committee on courts Of
justices this morning decided unani-
mously that Richmond ought to have
another court and will report the
matter favorably, with the recommend
alton that it be referred to the finance
committee for report as to whether the
Commonwealth can afford to pay the
expenses. There is difference of opin-
ion as to whether the city or State
shall pay the expenses.
Norfolk has similar petition before
the body and it is believed that the
city by the will sea also new court.
MAIN PosTPoNED.-A grand interna-
tional cocking-main between England
and America was to have taken place
| in orr vil1aoa ono dav lact weak Tho