The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-12

question AT All Wnfu over lV'sF' d'i'H VI
what the survey has already dedicated TO
planting remains unassigned? and when
only 10000 acres appears from the inspec-
tors reports TO have been assigned. This
survey which Capt. Baylor and his as
sistants made. may have some errors IN
a. but in the main IL is accurate. az
honest. as faithfully made as any survey
we are likely 20 get. and after having
given four months TO appeal to inc
courts before u became fnality. II mas
become a law and should be upheld ana
sustained by all members Of this General
Assembly against any and all efforts by
personal bills 20 make exceptions 10 II.
for once granted that this or that plant
ing ground rock or oyster shoal may be
resurveyed and made an exception from
the BAYLOR survey by special bill we viii
towards the last OF this session and at
the first OF next session have so many
special bills asking to follow the same pre-
cedent and clamoring 10 be excepted
either one way or another. or for this or
that cause. that the members Of both the
House ana the Senate may well call for
the rocks and mountains 10 fall on
them" to hide them from the deluge Of
special bills and the opportunities of
those wishing 20 be benefited by their
consideration and passage
THE BAYLOR SURVEY.
II the Baylor survey has occasionally
taken some planting ground in as natural
rocks, why does IL injure us in that? Have
we not more than one hundred thousand
acres Of planting ground yet unassigned
and not likely to be assigned and the
State is not sure 70 would be staked in
and paid one dollar per acre RENAL for II
il had been surveyed and called suitable
planting ground, on the other hand. II the
Baylor survey may have included here
and there some natural oyster rocks as
planting grounds. which had been wholly
or partially depleted why. it works no
harm, but a benefit 10 tho State II some
planter has taken or should take them up
and pay the State one dollar rental per
acre. where otherwise. we get no revenue
whatever from Il.
Let any bill. I'm any innocent insiduous
form II may take. once make a successful
infraction Of the expensive survey We
have made, and which so far as been held
inviolate. and the whole line becomes
rope Of sand. as a chain can be no strong
or than the weakest link In %,
and this survey. which cost the
State over twenty-five thousand dollars
will be practically a dead letter.
Let the Governor appoint five gentlemen
as this bin provides two from the Tide
water section OF the State, who shall Doe
versed in and have practical knowledge
OF the oyster and fish industry. the other
three members from other sections of the
state. TO which IL is entitled boy IFS pre-
p0nderence IN representation and in geo
graphical area. You might ask why five.
why not ono man. and only one. 90 talk"
charge OF these Industries. The answer
a. a ny nn a. 40 o.
with the necessities and duties imposed
bv such bill I'm The first place. 10 would
require two active. busy. intelligent and
practical men. fully up 20 the needs of
the business and manner Of working and
habit Of working not only tine oyster
planting grounds. but tho natural rocks
bed and shoals. both Of whom should
know not only the Chesapeake Bay and
It's rivers and shoals and the oyster rocks
thereof but have an intimate knowledge
Of the oystermen and planters and their
customs and habits In the prosecution Of
their vocation. and the fishing pounds
and those who work them. the grabbing
| industry and those who follow a.
The area 10 control is large and the
! work Of the Office is alone considerable.
| Resides. the necessity Of an active life
| aboard the steamer. going with inspectors
| IIoH pvIHt 10 p"i"t "N'i ''''
! districts under their supervision.
verifying their work comparing if
with their monthly reports and
monthly payments. TO which they would
! not object. taking observations and max
| ing notes while on these tours Of inspec-
| ton. to be of future use IN developing
this industry. and my word for IT,. after
thirty years experience and daily inter-
course with hundreds and thousands ac-
lively engaged in these enterprises can.
and DO assure YOU that two able. expert
enced and efficient men would find their
time actively and well employed and no
time for idleness II they expected sue
cessful management. without which they
would know all too well. their official
heads would soon be- in the political waste
basket
THE TP-COTNTRN MEN.
Then why the three gentlemen frou'
other sections. not specialists and COM
paritivcly unlearncd on this subject; Be
cause n this commission is from Tide
water solely. the Western Valley and
Southwestern members would have the
| very same cause OF complaint AS they
now have-that it was managed by and
| for sectional interest. and the report or
| reports and recommendations OF no one
| man. or two men JIM the state. q them
| be ever so pure. honest and able. from
! any one section. would carry 90 the Gov
| ernOr or the General Assembly that
weight authority or influence concerning
| a. matter which affected the whole State,
| as when announced and endorsed bv 70
special representative from each section
OF the State. And our Governor viii
surely find three gentlemen outside of tile
! Tidewater section who are men OF COM
| prehcnsion ability and Intelligence. and
who will extend 10 the TWO practical and
| expert members Of this board considerate
and wise help in their deliberations for
| the right solution and management OF
these industries. i'm which their constitu-
| ents are as deeply interested as we aye.
! No. gentlemen We need your help Don
throw an this responsibility upon repre-
sentatives appointed from the Underwater
| only. but give us the aid OF your councils
| by authorizing the Governor 60 appoint
! three of the members of the board. 90
! which this industry is committed. from
! elsewhere than TidcWater and You may
be safely assured he will find three pa
! triotic. good men. qualified and suited 20
| the position who will be honored for help
| ing to solve this difficult problem. And
| / hazard nothing IN the assertion, that
| with the immediate repeal of Article 10.
| Section of the Constitution. and as soon
| as possible thereafter. placing on each
| oysterman a direct tax OF two dollars
and the passage Of Dir. Smiths bill Civ
! ing TO all the option 10 use dredges or
! scrapes at license OF fifty cents per acre
| and placing the management of these in-
| tuetvice under an efficient hoard ae prO-