Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-11

The following is an extract from an
editorial article in Tuesdays issue Of the
Roanoke Times:
The attention Of the readers Of the
Times is directed TO an article in another
column from the Washington Post re-
lating to the oyster business ana possess
sions of Virginia. When the Post states
that the State realizes $25c0,VO annually
from its oyster properties 1t makes a
misleading statement. 1t is true that the
oysters taken from the Virginia beds
bring to those engaged in the business
the stupendous sum Of S2.5000OO annually.
But what does Virginia get? The oyster
beds of the State-the finest and richest
held by any State in the Union, and
recognized as the best in the world-brlpg
to the State Treasury the paltry sum or
$500 annually. If an individual Of ordi-
nary business sense owned the oyster
grounds Of Virginia. ne would enjoy net
income of at least 10000 annually.
The State of Virginia is the undisputed
and absolute owner of this vast and
valuable property. and each individual
taxpayer, whether he resides in the
mountains Of Patrick or the Valley OF the
Shenandoah, has the same right and in
terest in these beds as the lone fisher
man and the scheming politician Of the
Tidewater.
Ii costs the taxpayers Of Virginia
&c 10000 annually to conduct the affairs
OF the State and pay the interest on the
public debt While the property of thou
sands of the people of Virginia Is sold
every year at tax sales on account Of
their inability to pay the levy for State
expenses. the most valuable property the
state owns-more valuable than any
single property held by any State
i'm the Union. producing the magnificent
sum of S25OOO00 annualy-turns into the
State Treasury the trifling amount Of
$500. while 100000 goes into the pockets
OF the people who hold a club over the
heads Of the ofIice-holders and politicians
OF Eastern Virginia.
The Times does injustice to our Tide
water friends, but for many years past
most up-country people have had an eX-
aggerated idea Of the value Of the States
holdings in the oyster-beds.
While it may be true Though we do not
know that it is) that the sum of $25OOOOO
~ annually realized from the sale of Vir-
ginia oysters. we must take into con-
sideration the fact that a vast deal OF
labor and no little capital is expended in
producing the oysters that yield this
money. planting, it should be
known, IS a laborious industry, and is
attended by many of the accidents and
ills that accompany the raising of other
crous.
Nor is 1t fair TO say that only $500
per annum comes into the State Treasury
as the profit of Virginia from her oyster
properties. The Times has entirely ig-
nored the taxable value of the boats
dredges, and other implements of the
oysterman's industry. So too, it omits
10 take notice of the fact that many
lands which would otherwise have no
taxable value become revenue-producing
by reason OF their proximity to waters
in which the oyster may thrive. Further
more. it may be noted that few. very few
oystermen acquire wealth. no matter how
hard they may work, and as a rule, they
are hard workers.
or course, there are those who call our
discrepancies ignorant and unpro-
gressiye. but Virginia farmers. who have
themselves been stung often by like ac-
cusations, will know how to value these
criticisms: the criticisms. for the most
part. of men who are theorists merely.
II is very likely, indeed that IL an
Individual owned the oyster-beds that are
In this State. he would realize from them
much moro than the State does. So. too,
II an individual owned one Of our large
navigable rivers. he could realize from it
more than the State does; but he would
profit at his neighbors expense.
From the very first year Of the land
ing OF European settlers upon Virginia
soil to this day, our natural oyster
beds have been free 10 all our people.
and we doubt not that that policy win
continue TO the end of time. So far as
The planting grounds are concerned.
these are in part State property and
IN part private property. As 10 these
the State has but just entered upon a
fixed policy. II is as yet too early 70
determine what will be the result Of IT,
but we believe II Will prove profitable
20 the State and beneficial TO the planter
II Ia very great mistake. we submit
for our up-country friends TO think that
the people OF the oyster region are