Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-16

| N Pocomoke ana other sounds. except
Mr.. Ellineer. He alone Is perm'ttea "
employ foreigners In taking his oysters
| these last-named privileges anu conees-
/. Sions. without limitation or resiricuons
Of any sort, are wrong. II Is wesi hnoMn
by prac ,fcal oystermen that not one acre
in twenty In the bay. the fancy ana
ailuring figures Of Lieutenany Baylor. "
| the contrary, notwithstandinB-is aoapt-
ed 10 the successful conduct OF osster-
planting. In consequence. we nave no
more good planting ground In the Day or
elsewhere chan would soon be demanded
for use by our own planters, provided the
State would guarantee security OF title.
a fixed rental, and protection from ma
RAIDERS.
1t should be held In mind that The pro-
posed grants OF land to non-residents
once made. can't with any sense OF justice.
be taken away from them. Having seeded
these barren bottoms" with oysters. It
would not be right to rob them OF the
full benefits of their labor and expendi-
ture. Therefore, these lands, once grant,
ed them, would be gone forever. SO far
as RS future possession and use by our
own citizens are concerned-no matter
how badly they might need 1t.
NEEDS OF THE RESIDENTS.
If these concessions are made to nom
residents. common prudence ard care for
the interests OF our own people should
suggest that their future needs and pres
cnt welfare should be provided for as
far as possible. Non-residents should
only be allowed TO take up these grounds
IN connection with residents Of the State.
and in connection with home capital, to
the extent that natives should acquire and
exercise q controlling interest In the
business. Our own laborers only should
be allowed employment in the handling
and planting OF these oysters. except that
crews engaged on vesSels used exclu-
siveiy as "market-boats might be en-
ployed. whether residents or not. Other
wise II is impossible to see any benefits
10 accrue TO our people or state, except
the few dollars rental the latter might
receive.
Not one cent will be added to the wealth
of our home people; not one cent 10 our
taxable values; not a days labor given 10
our workers; no provision is made IN
these concessions requiring that in re-
turn for these favors our own people only
should be allowed TO do the work. No
word is said about this, and the Sums OF
the great northern cities VIII be raked
for the cheap tramp labor that will be
employed in doing the work that might,
If otherwise PROVIDED, be done Dy our own
oystermen and laborers.
The Good Book tells us that man who
doesn't provide for his own family is
worse than an iniidel Why can't the
same be said of State that fails TO
provide for its own people?
THE writer of this is not an oyster
man. nor has he cents interest, either
present or prospective, In oysters or
oyster-lands. but he does feel deeply for
the welfare Of people with whom he
has been associated since he was BORN
and whose sufferings and struggles for a
bare existence has been daily witnessed
by him. That they should become the
victims of mercenary law. having it'
origin in the false and delusive state
ments or arguments of conceited theo-
rists, and supported by the paid lobbyists
and attorneys OF wealthy planters. is an
event greatly TO be deplored by every
humane and right-thinking man.
Their devotion to their State should
warrant kinder treatment at its hands,
and their simple faith in the party that
they have loved and Loyalty supported
and trusted as their friend should entitle
their interest and welfare to kindly con-
sideration by those of Its leaders, whom,
by their votes. they placed in the posi-
tons of trust and power which they now
|. enjoy.
1t will be an evil day for the party
they have loved, and sad and mournful
event in their own lives whom, by hostile
and ruinous legislation on its part, they
shall be compelled TO seek friends among
their enemies. and to forever turn their
tracks upon the old flag, which had
hitherto been at once their idol and
symbol Of equality and protection.
N W. NOCKS