Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-11-26
lts xIll xhsn 4 delesatsd to ridewater

| It, viii when Il delegated to Tidewates
the control Of oyster legislation.
II this be true. the system OF deiegatins
to one section q study which ought 70
be the concern of all should be stopped:
and none should be more eager TO enc
Il than Tidewater II II be true that All
Virginia II responsible for the errors
that have been made. then aD virginia
ehould participate in correcting them:
II IL the opinion of close observers 'nat
Ttdewater should no longer eccept the
responsibility which grows out OF ma.
jorIty representation on the tomm't'ees
in charge Of Chesapeake Interests. ana
that the rest Of Virginia should not per-
NIT II.
Reminiscencey serve a good purpose
when they bring US together In kindly
mood to talk over and correct mistakes
II Vtrr.nians at large were better ac-
quainted with their far-off Peninsula. as
they. should be, for their stoTnachs' sake.
for we raise everything that's good to eat
and are next-door neighbor to the oyster.
they might conclude to let us try our
hand at making future oyster laws: III
they did. think we should work them
out OF, the following lines:
Keep the farm intact. forbid the use
of oyerworked rocks. Permit the use,
within greatly restricted seasons, OF SUCH
as NAV yet stand working: forbid the use
OF dredges and patent tongs; don't any
longer attempt TO collect the uncollect-
able tax Of 40 Cents: devise system OF
revenue which will harmonize and De-
come part of the right Of regulation.
right about which there Isl no dispute;
give the oystermen to understand tnat
the Chesapeake II net their exclusive DO
main, and that their occupation does not
entitle them to exceptional privileges.
Perhaps bread-pan philosophy may AID
oystern1en to see the Justice and necessi-
ty for such salutary changes. II II does
not. and they resist. then knock the DOT
tom out Of the bread-pan and settle tbe
question once for all.
Our barren bottoms should he made pro-
ductive Make them so by granting In
dustrial liberty to oyster farmers. ADOPT
Uncle Sans poli,y-dispose OF the acres
TO settlers at low price: give tnem
perpetual franchise; trust them TO bu'id
up the Chesapeake. Don't be afraid that
every oyster farmer will become pioa''
ed bondholder. Lots Of them will not get
rich, the mores the pity. for every dollar
of wealth created means larger assess
ment roll Make the oyster farmers
grounds his castle. and give him the right
TO defend II at every hazard. Lay The
burden OF proof on the pirate VINO assa''s
him
But how shall these conditions be en-
forced? Create single-headed commits
sion. Have no divided responsibility.
Place the commissioner under heavy
bond; make him commander Of the navy.
oblige him to formulate methods TO en-
force the law and collect revenue. Weed
out all officials who. under these new con-
ditions, would have sinecures Pace
those who are retained under the control
OF the commission. Create an appellate
court, consisting OF the Governor, the
Lieutenant Governor, and the commits
sioner. and dissolve the Board OF the
Chesapeake as now constituted. Fiaally.
do not select man for commissioner
whose chief qualification IL his capacity
for feeding ut the public crib. but one
who has already acquired training fnd
.xperience in the line Of the duties he IS
expected to perform. Given such laws
and such a man to enforce them, the
clouds will soon roll by.
From the Industrial standpoint tie
Chesapeake Is now az dead as that Sea
beyond the Jordan. Her waters are not
bitter. but her fruits have been turned
into ashes. In spite of this we shall re-
peat the story OF the Phoenix. Much as
we have abused her. Nature Is still on
our side. We have but to WOO her to win
ber WILLIAM ELLINGER.