Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-13
INCREASE OYSTER nEyr,us.
Nv" Bits Having This End I'm view
Discussed Lest Mint.


i-'O"to' and the other in the House by
mr. charles T. Bland-wcre considered
The members OF the special committee
oi zen from the various congressional
districts in the state. who were appoint
/ ca TO recommend some legislation look
ing TO an increase Of the States revenues
from her oyster lands were present. and
participated TO some extent IN the discuss
sion incident to the consideration of the
| two bills.
Mr.. Embrey's bin TO protect black-bass
and pond-bass In the Rappahannock river
and its tributaries above Tidewater. in
Guiding the North Fork. the Rapidan, and
the Robinson rivers and their tributaries
was first taken up. and was reported ia
vorably.
OYSTER INSPECTOR BILL
Mr.. BANDS bill TO create the Office Of
| chief oyster Inspector for the State Of
Virginia, and pay him for his services
NVV3 per annum, was then considered.
/ Mr.. Bland made a strong speech I'm be-
half OF his bill. asserting that without
chief inspector the sub-inspectors will
never do their duty, and hence the State
VIII never get one half OF the revenues
due her from her oyster properties. He
said the State could well afford to pay
such an officer 5000 per annum. as he
would by his labors increase her reve-
nues from oysters at least $4,000 per
year. Mr. Bland said every day IN the
year vessels are loading with seed oys-
ters for Northern States planting
grounds. and this DIR. Smith. the chair
man. said was undoubtedly fact.
Senator LeCatos bill, which was Of
fered in the House by Mr. Craig. and
which provides for the creation Of
board of fisheries to supersede the Fish
Commissioner. and to assume entire con-
troll of the oyster industry and look after
the inspectors, was also considered. and
Senator LeCato spoke I'm favor Of It. and
asserted that il was absolutely impossible
for one man to look after the diversified
interests OF the States fisheries and he
thought the creation of a board Of fish
cries should appeal TO the business sense
OF the legislators. The question OF pro-
perly protecting the oyster industry in
the State has now, he said, assumed
political aspect, as if injurious legislation
be passed by Democratic Assembly
no power on earth can hold the people Of
AccOmac county I'm Democratic ranks.
He said if his bill was passed, and the
board got into good working condition.
it would be able TO give the State 100000
a year out of Tidewater.
HONESTY OF THE INSPECTORS.
Senator LeCato's bill provides that the
chairman and secretary Of the board shall
receive $1,000 per annum each, and shall
be selected exclusively from the Tide
water section. Mr.. Craig objected TO
combining the appointment of the only
salared officers of the board to Tide
water. and offered an amendment striking
out the Objectionable clause. Mr.. Jor-
dan at this juncture interjected a query
proper returns from the oyster grounds
was due to the dishonesty of the in
spectors. and Mr.. Stubs sprang TO his
feet and said that ii was wrong TO cast
reflection on men. many Of whom be knew
personally to be as honest as any men or
set Of men in the State. Mr.. Jordan dis
claimed any intention OF rejecting on the
inspectors, and Mr.. Craig made a like dis
claimer. He said because these inspec-
tors knew that depTedations were being
made didn't argue their dishonesty any
more than does the failure Of commits
siOner of revenue to get all the taxes in
his district argue his. Mr. Stubs said
the question of theft did not properly
enter into the discussion. as If a thief car
ried off oysters from a bed he did not
steal from the State, but from the indi-
vidual who owned the bed.
CAPTAIN CURTIS'S ARGUMENT.
Mr.. Bland again took the floor and
spoke in behalf Of his bill, setting forth
that by ii the oy ster revenues could be
increased at less cost TO the State than
by any other plan. Mr. Bland presented
CAPTAIN John A. Curtis, who spoke In
terestingly on the oyster question, adVo-
eating the Bland bill. This bill, he said
would give the State a revenue OF at
least 10000 per annum from her oyster
lands.
Mr.. Stubs followed Mr.. Curtis, and
said the oyster people didn't care what
kind of laws were made for the enforce
ment of the payment of taxes so long as
they were given the assurance That thelr
holdings were sacred and the taX-rate
would not be increased. If this assurance
was given them, he said, they would pay
promptly every dollar of taxes assessed
against them.
TO BE CLOSED TONIGHT.
Mr. Jones offered motion that the
two hills be referred TO a Subcommittee
of three, who shall report at the next
meeting Mr.. Craig offered as SUD
stitute that the committee meet tonight
in executive session, and TINS mo'ioh pre-
vailed. ,.
Mr. BLAND then offered the following:
resolved. That it is not the purpose or
intent of the Committee on Chesapeake
and it's Tributaries 10 increase the rate
Of taxation under the present laws, ana
that the rights granted the planters VIII
- eocredlv observed as far as it may be
in orr power. but that we Will consider
carefully all bills that are or may be
presented to the committee relative 10
outing the present revenue laws on
r,,ora business-like basis, looking to an
Increase in the revenue that should De
derived from the oyster and fish indus
tries and report the same as soon as
Tbfs resolution met with opposition,
o,,d Mr. Bland withdrew 1t, after which
~ committee adjourned.
otber Committee Meetings.
At meeting of the Fish and Game
c,ororoittee Yesterday afternoon, Senator
sIa'son renorted a bill directing the At
-a-oev- General to institute proceedings
"a recover portion of the state DOMAIN
alleged 10 be held by William Elilnger
on Fox's Island, in Accomac county. the
lin will be reported favorably.
number Of local bills were faVoraDly
Tbe House Committee on Propositions
"a Grievances yesterday afternoon
,sDard argument for and against the
Wrhsrton insurance bill, and it was de-
oidod 10 report 1t favorably. The blll
a. aimed 10 prevent the formation OF
,,e,,rance combinations for the purpose
OF keeping up rates. ,-..,...ro
THE House Committee on Agriculture
and Mining met yesterday morning ana
- ...,a fayora hIv Mr. MinterS bill pro-