The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-01-12
OYSTER GRoWERs' MEETING.
Annual Session of the State Association I Held in Bridgeport.

Annual Session of the State Association Held in Bridgeport.
 The annual meeting of the Connecti- cut Oyster Growers association took place yesterday afternoon at the hall of the board of trade in Bridgeport. The meeting was called to order at ? o'clock by the president, Henry c, Rowe of New Haven.
 The president presented a review of the work of the year past and of the history of the association. He spoke in part as follows: It will be profitable for us to recall briefly a few of the mat ters in which our association has been of great benefit to all engaged in the oyster industry. By its means we de- feated the proposition to remove the shell fish commission to Hartford, and to combine it with the commissions of game and swimming fish, by which we would have not only been put to the inconvenience of going to Hartford to transact our business with the commits sion, but would have been taxed to pay the expenses of both the other commits sions, as that was undoubtedly the pur- pose. If our association had accom- plished nothing else, the defeat of that Dill would amply repay us for all the effort and expense that we incurred.
 By Means of our association we se- cured the passage of the Oyster Police Bill, by which-in the opinion of the majority at least-a great many oysters which would otherwise be stolen are preserved. It Is true that our taxes are increased to cover this expense, but they were increased because some of the oyster growers were unfaithful to the organization. If all had remained firmly in line, the bill would have been passed without the objectionable amend ment. As 1t is, however. it compels those who would pay nothing for watchmen before the passage of the bill, to bear their fair share, and it is, I believe in the opinion of the major ity, desirable that such expenses should be borne by all in just proportion.
 We not only may be proud of our history in meeting dangers outside of the association, but we have shown also that we can resist attacks from within, which are more dangerous than those from without.
 ! This association has, established the principle that 1t will not consent to the introduction of private spite and malice as a reason for any of it's action. To those who have observed the history of organizations, it is evident that if any association permits the private enmity of any of its members to be in troduced, 1t will result in the ruin of its usefulness.
 Our association hhs also established the principle that it will not permit a minority to dictate to the majority. No matter what the question Is, we know that if an association allows minority to dictate it's course, such an associa- ton may as we'll go ont of existence promptly, because after 1t has lost its dignity and self-respectt it Is useless. Especially would that be true If such minority desires to violate the purpose of our constitution, namely, "To pro- mote friendly and fraternal feeling among all those interested in the oyster industry" Our history has proved the wisdom of our course, for our associa- ton has gone on tremendously. pros perously and successfully, although a few withdrew from it because one eighth of the members were not permit ted to dictate to the other seven-eighths. Organization is the custom of this age. Men of every profession and employ rnerit associate themselves together for mutual protection and advantage. We. need organization more than almost any other class of men. We are but few. in number, and our business is' but little understood by the people and legisla- tors generally. We are therefore spe- oialIy liable to Injury by unjust legisla- ton, unless we are ready to establish our rights by acting in unison.
 Benjamin Franklin said to the patfi-i ots of the Revolution, We must all hang together or we will all hang sepa- rately." This is a a motto which we would do we'll to bear in mind.
 It will be desirable to add to our mem bership any and all who will subscribe honestly to our constitution, which pro- vides that its purpose. is to promote friendly and fraternal feeling among all those interested in the oyster business and to protect our common interests.
 All in the business who will subscribe for this purpose, and who will honora- bly, observe it, are welcome in the asso- citation. The admission of any who are actuated by q meaner purpose would be to weaken instead of strengthen us. The door of the association is open to any. whether they have previously been members or not, If they will come into it with the purpose of aiding it's work.
 We have also met the test of neces- sary assessment upon our membership. An assessment of any considerable sum is usually dangerous experience for any association, unless its members have sufficient public spirit and patri- otism so that each member is willing to do his fair share in such way. An assessment is test which culls out those who are too selfish to pay just share toward the benefit of the whole.
 We are now in an eminently prosper ous and successful condition, because we have maintained these principles, and have at the same time preserved the dignity of our organization by re- fusing to bow to any discordant fac ton.
 The president also spoke in eulogy of the two members of the association who