The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-12-02
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70 2THE Legislature
sconcludsa from sixth Page, I

Ia Rnse tax on a. dredger Is SO for every
"a un6red feet capacity OF the vessel or
& craft employed, each ton OF Custom
~ house measurement, as per enrolment
of lsale vessel being estimated to con-
tam one hundred cubic feet For one
Il month or for a single cargo the tax is
cents per Sbushel on the capacity of
a the vessel. Every hundred cubic feet
d pSeity is estimated to carry twenty
Il I'VE bushels. f5E x u S
Article x. Section 2, of the Consutu-
81 81 atonf does not apply to dredging, so
81 ne the Commonwealth Is not restrict
60 IN her taxing power; as to dredgers.
49, Nov, is not the tax imposed entirely
~ TOO small? Let us see Every hun
sdred cubic feet carry twenty-five bush
els. 81 From October 18th to April list
I there are 100 working days. If the yes
,6Esei carries away twenty cargoes, which
Il as e. reasonable estimate, She will carry
n 50O bushels of oysters during the season
q for every hundred cubic feet capacity.
Sc and she will receive for them not less
than $500, and for the privilege of
catching them she pays the State the
4 sum OF So, The tax upon twenty sepa-
B tie cargoes under the law at cents
/ e. bushel would be $40.
As not the annual license tax So per
{Snundred cubic feet capacity entirely too
X low? If a single cargo can bear a tax
Il or, z cents per bushel. cannot dredgcrs
n who are engaged regularly In the bust
s. ness afford to pay much more than
$50 wo-Hfths OF cent per bushcl? Can
3 hey not easily pay the State cents
Is pet bushel for oysters which brsclg
them in the market GO cents per bushel?
- cannot think that this would he OPP
4 pressiye. !, therefore, recommend that
a the statute be amended so rs to re-
azure the payment of nm annual license
Ii taxsof $40 for every hundred feet capa-
81 CITY OF the vessel or craft employed,
r. and that tax OF 8 cents per bushel be
II levied on the capacity of a vessel for a
81 single cargo or where the license Is for
sCne month.
me total amount received from
4 dredsers last year was only s4.151.33.
e. Registration, License Collection of
~ aS.-At present all licenses to dredg-
i ers and certificates OF registration to
3 Ionsmen are issued by the oyster in
y spectors, and the taxes are collected by
x she inspectors.
s For various reasons I think the sta
18Iute should be amended so as to au-
u thoriZe and empower the Judge OF the
& coCGlty court OF each county, either In
y Term time or vacation, to issue such lie
Il ense and Grant such certificates, and
~ hat the clerk of said court should be
II s gu to keep record of the same.
IStk Ihat all tnNes imposed on dredgers
4 and tongmen should be collected by the
treasurer OF each county. rs other lie
iasense and property taxes are collected,
land upon the same commissions That
u the salary of the judge should be sup
!, TO reeompense him for this
g Abortion to his duties, and that the
& clerk should be authorized to collect n
a n9ed Zee from each 6lredger and tong
man for said license or registration GER
q tlncaite, and for his services in con-
y nection Herewith That the said clerk
; , Shouid be required. without delay. to
4 furnish the Treasurer, Auditor of Pub
ssaics accounts and commandments Of the
oyster police steamers and schooners
Z each with a, list of the names OF all
8 persons SO licensed or registered.
~. IN crncludinG what desire to saw in
4 ahis connection, I wish to emphasize
s Ihe fact that the oyster grounds are
\ the property of the State, and that
I there are no individuaI rights therein.
Snfely5When the State grants the privi-
Z lege Of Rpproprlating her property to
{ private use, the beneficiaries should re-
+ turn something like an equivalent The
& people. at large have an interest in the
resources OF the State, and 1t Is but
Just to them that the state should so
y use her resources as to enure to the
n benefit OF all, and relieve them as far
L as may be from the burdens of gov
It is 3vlrginla,s bounden duty to tax
4 them who reap the rich harvests which
6 her oyster grounds yield, year by year
Il 6hatt they may contribute their equ!ta,
Il thlet share Of the expenses of the State,
Ito the relief OF the tillers of the land
i and workers In other lines os industry
syV ifsinlat. cannot longer justify herself
5Sin allowing her vast area of valuable
81 oyster grounds to remain unremunera-
sT tive only realizing therefrom the pitia
~ Die! 8 sum Of about $4,000 annually,
81 barely enough to ma.c1tain her oyster
Z police force and protect her grounds
3ss from mon resident marauders; expend-
~ Ing all In thiS direction. sect,rIoc moth
hg from this source to meet her press
l ~ an wants. The time is ripe for dcci-
ri siYef action; justice TO the tax PAYERS
s or the State demands K; the States
* necessities require 1t. again earnestly
81 rec O, nd an amendment to the Con-
f& stltu I striking out Section 2 of Arti-
81 Gle X.ll& There Is sufficient time to ac-
81 complish this end before 1902. when our
Il increased interest obligation on orr
" public debt will commence, If imme-
5s diate steps are taken. l aga.cl earnest
81 siy recommend that the existing statute
aHsp e amended In the particulars herein
y before set forth.
u DEPENDENT CONFEDERATE VET
Il ! ll.SstttANS AND WIDOWS OF CON-
as FhDERATE SOLDIERS.
The Governor says on this subject
tes knal !nere should be no question before
:$} the General Assembly which Should re-
S{SS eeiye more prompt and hearty attcn-
re lion :than the care of Confederate SOL
,SS Is; 81 ef5aW VINO are in dependant circum-
555$ ys e. snees. a country that shows an in
;Rss dl Isl osltlon to preserve from want and
G5 !sl save IRON the poorhouse the men who
6sS gave their services and risked their
g;$ ilVes IN her defense ana at her CALL not
ss only adopts areprehensipie policy. but
XII ~ guilty. OF ingratitude so base tina
3ts ~ ~ comparison all of Its other dereIic-
ne lions ana shortcomings could we'll mass