The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-21

Qather of the Fish Commission BID
Gxion Resides the broader interest
have felt in a matter so closely affecting
nv section. the success or failure OF the
experiment has. therefore, been matter
of some personal prlde and concern. 1
am glad TO say that / am not only grau-
fed with the operation OF the law up 10
this time but that j believe the people
OF the state will be satisfied with the
first years showing OF revenue from our
tldewater Industries.
A VEXATlOUS QUESTION.
"The management OF the oyster ques-
ton has been. admittedly, one of the most
unsatisfactory. and vexatiOus with which
the LEGISLATURE has had TO deal. For fifty
years our tidewater Industries have not
only perplexcd our legislators, but nave
gradually grown up as distracung factors
I'm our State politics. Lately these IN
terests have passed 10 a great extent uh-
der the domination Of sectiOnallsm rap
div becoming more intolerant ana AK
srcssive over Il hundred thousand OF
our citizens are more or less dependent
mon these Industries and In the thirteen
or fourteen oyster counties ABOUT one
third of the taxable values nave Deeh
derived from these industries. Al 'he
same time. the State has insisted upon
maintenance Of It's equity ~ TINS puDn1
wealth. in the shape Of an annual rev
enue. over and above its assessment on
values and has threatened for the past
few years to offer its bees lor puoilo
lease Meanwhile the situation has stead
n,, bocome more complicated by reason or
the inevitable antagonisms growing up
among the oystermen themselves. Hence
laws have been enacted. amended anu re-
nealed without much reference 10 any
well defined theory or policy, untll il
doubtful If the history of modern leslsia-
ton can afford parallel OF such nap
hazard laws affecting such large ahu lin-
portant public interests.
oBJECT OF PRESENT LAW.
II has been the object OF the present
law not only to provide proper adjust
,,ent between sectional interest and state
eouitv but between the ahtasonlS, ~
classes of oystermen Themselves TO- "i'.
the planter. the tonger. the dreuseI' -
IN enforce laws already eNsllhs, anu w.
recommend such future Legislation a.
nractical observation and careiuI sluug
may suggest. In other words 10 Ioiio'
this question from the arena OF pou.'os'
and deal with IL as serious Dus'HeS' P'''
ositon. ...,,,t ends
ara to be served must yet remain loi
Tnrtber trial The law has now pee" 'ii
force only six months. and duflhs '.Io
49, soaeon The revenues nave AZ
readv been largely increased over aug
corresponding period The avs loi VI,
Letting fines. fees and rentals nave p'
enforced for the first time In many -.
lions and I'm spite Of some lheNlt' -
sriction due to the establishment OF .nV
new, order of things the law Is grown
In nonularity This Is notably true on
M eide of the bay. Most of the tohsei ,
,,bo i've licensed there have elec''u
tho e O0 specific tax. and In one dls, ~
loo 0ant Andertons). out or 80, ION
eers licensed. 1856 took out the speciHc e
license and will pay. therefore on .oi5
inc, license almost as much as VIII 0ne
tongers I'm the county last year
believe every member or the Boar u
,s working faithfully and consclenuousN
IA make the new law a success. Ihose
unfamiliar with the work 10 be accom-
nlished are not prepared 20 app sclale
me amenities they have encountered.
Thot 81 much has been already doLe'
ard with So little friction. Is sufficient
evidence Of the ability and conscl' III '1N
ness with which they nave accep'-u 'ne
responsibility. -. s.,.a.
The Board will, as soon as the funds
at its disposal Justify It. establish
hatchery for salt water fishes. The mat
ter Of a clerk for the Board has peeh
satisfactorily adjusted. II is proposed 10
remove the headquarters OF the com
mission to Norfolk, and this VIII proDa-
blv be done soon.