The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-01
WESTMORELANDCO MY
A DISCUSSION OF THINGS MORAL
AND POLITIC1L.
Something About Oysters and Those Who
Live by the Luscious Bivaive'
Honest Elections.

HAGUE, VA, Jan. .-Special.-During
this open winter the farmers have not
been idle. They have been clearing up
and fencing. and have done large
amount Of blowing for spring crops. Most
of the wheat was soNed late, ana IS not
showing very well. That sowed early ~
injured somewhat by the fly. The sugar
beet convention in Fredericksburg mas
not interested this section much; as only
a factory on the Potomac would be with
In reach.
The people have been anxiously watch
ing the proceedings OF the Legislature.
The oystermcn fear that their inter-
ests might be hampered by unwise IeBls-
lation. IL the planters could be protect
ed much more oyster ground would De
taken up. IL is said that merchah
near here has bought his own planted
oysters over dozen times; taken up IN
the night and sold TO him again the next
day. He has failed and gone out OF busi-
ness.
OYSTER PLANTERS.
Some planters in Wicomico river have
a house out IN the water on piles. In me
midst OF their grounds with an artesian
well for II. and keep a man living there
20 shoot at all depredators. This taxes
largely from their profits. Many up coun-
try legislators and some high authority
seem 10 count al OF our waters as suiat-
able for planting. Owing 10 sand ana
mud bottoms. and the occasional extreme
ly low tides not more than an eighth 70
q fourth is available. Most or the suit
able ground adioins the public natural
rocks: and hence is much more easily dep
related upon by those using the pubic
grounds. All Clustering at night on pup
JIG or private grounds ought to be pro-
hibted.
The present laws would yield a much
larger revenue If properly enforced. Some
amendments are needed that the laws
NAV be more certainly understood.
The Times Ia right in the idea that our
elections should be freed from all faint
Of fraud; but wrong In the the idea that
the cO,ored vote is not a disturbing ele-
ment here In Virginia As long as COM
monwealth's attorneys court clerks sher-
IFS. supervisors. magistrates. consi ables,
etc. in many Of the counties ana dls-
tricts are elected by the cOlOred vote
great temptation TO fraud in elections
will continue. | have long been very IA
miliar with the elections In this county,
and have never known or suspected any
fraud here. But we have suffered very
much from some officials we have had.
A constitutional convention. with pie
nary power. is q necessity 10 take the
temptation 10 fraud away from the cleo
lions. Until we have consutuiionally
qualified suffrage. the Parker law. which
gives It In part. will pretty surely re-
main. This section has feared consti-
tutional convention. lest It should NEEDLE
with the oyster question. and damage
interested. and Of the state as well.
S~rr~ OF. TTf CUFPS.
Mr.. Southalrs proposed law 10 regulate
the examinations for public school teach
ers. and probably some other school laws.
Is very much needed. In one district OF
our cOurty about One-fOurth Of the teach
ers. some Of them holding tirst-grade Ger
tificates. who have taught from two 10
ten years | understand. have never stood
the regular examination. and some never
stood any written examination. This. not
wifhsfandirg the fact that the County
Superintendent wrote 10 all the teachers
who had not continuing certificates. that
II was absO utelv necessary thov should
stand the examination last summer. and
that there were 4 number Of applicants
who secured hrst-grade certificates AT
said examination, who failed to get
schools
one Of those who got a school am
told. was at the place or examination. and
told the Superintendent he had other bus
mess TO attend 10 then. The same man
is a MAGISTRATE. Is often drunk and a few
days ago was seen stretched on the floor
NJ nOrch Of hotel The Electoral
School Board Of this county has had no
meeting for over six years. The Suner-
intendent announces 10 the trustees their
appointment.
one district had hut two trustees for
several years. \ teacher who had "A
school for two or more wears I often met
two or three miles of. going 10 school
after 10 \. NJ. and returning home before
. p. VI. How much these things are the
fault OF the laws ! do not know. but sure
" the taxes we pay should secure the
best schools possible for the amount.
Tur SALOONS
The open saloons are stll giving ms
trouble. ON last Saturday night "a drunk
on man here got into a fight with col
ored man. and later fred "a pistol several
times into a crowd. Fortunately no one
was hurt. The rising generation OF ne
groes lock 10 the regions Of the saloons
every Saturday night. ] have seen them |
on their Launches. lining n store al !
around in front Of the counter like 50
many sardines. and others crowding the |
central space and dealing over their |
heads. II reminded me Of the accounts |
Of how their ancestors used 10 be packed |
between decks on the slave ships
The moral and RELIGIOUS element con- |
stituting more than threc-fourths Of the |
Democratic party. are looking 10 their |
for lOcal OrtiOn laws that !
Wi be more effective p the end i'm view |
There was very little done at court last |
Monday. Tho Westmoreland CamD Of |
Confederate Veterans held a meeting |
The verdict of the committee and OF the |
General Council I'm the Stuhbc case is |