Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1898-01-22
The oyster auos.ion.


Few persons on the Eastern Shore
have fully appreciated the serious
state of affairs in the General Assem-
bly, on the Oyster question. One
week ago it looked as If the upland
members, who are in large majority in
both Houses, would adopt some radi-
cal policy in dealing with this great
interest. The action OF the House Of
Delegates in appointing special
committee consisting of one from
each congressional district to consider
and report measures for increasing
the oyster revenue. was justly re-
parded as an indication that some
drastic legislation would be enacted
The Eastern Shore representatives.
seeing danger ahead. went boldly and
vigorously to work to win the rea-
sonable men to Senator LeCato's wise
and conservative bill. In this they
were aided by the most of the other
Tidswater representatives. Senator
LeCato in presenting his bill to the
Senate Committee on Fish and Game
last week, made strong speech ex-
planning the defects OF the present
law, and showing how these defects
would be removed by the bill OF
which he is the patron. Senator Nor
ris, of Albemarle, told your cores
pondent that Senator LeCato's speech
was the ablest he had ever heard Oh
the oyster question, and this seemed
TO be the opinion of all who had
heard it.
Last Monday night the Committee
on the Chesapeake and its tributa
ries. OF which DR.. Charles Smith is
chairman, held an important meeting,
at which several of the special oyster
revenue committee were present DIR.
Smith exhibited a map OF the oyster
grounds of. the State and made
most instructive and convincing
speech in which he advocated the
adoption of Senator LeCato's bill.
He was followed by Major James N.
Stubbs, of Gloucester, who made a
telling speech in favor of the same
bill Hon. S. Wilkins Matthews, who
is known as one of the most lndustri
Gus and influential members of the
House, was on hand, and though he
made no set speech, yet by his peril
nent questions and suggestions he
brought out many important points.
AS result of these efforts it is now
reas onably certain that Senator Lee
Cato's bill will, with slight amend
ments be enacted into law before
the close of the present session. That
so great danger has thus been
averted from Tidewater Virginia and
especially from the Eastern Shore is
due to the wisely directed efforts of
our Eastern Shore representatives,
assisted by such liberal and conser-
vative members as Senator Stubbs'
of Gloucester, Senator Morris, of AL
bemarle, Senator Adam Clement, of
Campbell, and Delegates Owen, of
Manchester, Watkins, of Prince Ed
ward, Saunders OF Franklin, and
others.
The people of the Eastern Shore
owe their representatives and the
gentlemen named above lasting
debt of gratitude for having wrought
such change of sentiment in the oys;
ter question among the upland mem
bers of the General Assembly. But
for their persistent and we'll directed
efforts some very radical and hurtful
legislation would have been enacted
but every indication now points to
the adoption Of Senator LeCato's
bill which will place this great in
dustry under the control Of a Board
OF Fisheries consisting of five mem
bers, two from Tidewater and three
from the other sections OF the State.
So much for retaining in the legisla-
ture true and tried man who have
the influence to direct legislation in
the interest of the people whom they
represent.
Mr.. Matthews has put through his
truck barrel bill and he is now at
work on several bills for the interest
of his constituents. DR.. Smith has
also succeeded in getting through a
number of bills and he has introduced
one to break up trusts and combines
that is of the greatest interest to the
entire State. 1t is safe to say that no
section of Virginia has a more in
dustrious and influential delegation
in the General Assembly than the
Eastern Shore of Virginia.
BRUTUs.
Richmond, Va, Jan. 10, 1893