The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-25
HOUSE or DELEGATES.
A Bill Providing for the Reopening OF the
Baylor Oyster Survey Rejected


There was no prayer in the House OF
Delegates after the session had been call
ed 10 order by Speaker Ryan.
Mr.. Williams. Of Giles and Pulaski, Of
fered the following resolution. which was
referred:
Whereas. the finances Of the State have
been very materially curtailed by the
arrearages OF some of its treaSurers ana
whereas many Of the citizens Of the
state. who became sureties on the oIn-
cial bonds OF treasurers have in many
instances suffered by reason OF the de-
fault OF their principals, and
Whereas said arrearages have resulted
from loose methods and indulgences IN
the conduct OF their official duties with
the view TO future reelection, therefore
be II
Resolved, That the special committee
appointed for the consideration or such
subjects be, ana they are, hereby re-
0uested TO take into consideration a
change in the constitution, whereby
treasuTers shall be ineligible TO sue
ceeding reelection. unless IT shaI appear
that they have made full account ana
payment of all funds due by them 10 the
State and counties.
THE OYSTER SURVEY.
When House Bill No. 139 was reached
on its second reading, which provides LOT
laying off, designating and surveying the
natural oyster beds. rocks ana shoals IN
York river in King and Queen county
the discussion over the measure was con-
tinued from last Saturday
Mr.. Craig. OF Rockbridge. stated he had
been informed by the judge of that county
that the latter had not appointed three
commissioners as provided by law, for the
making of the survey lecause ne ala not
know al the time of the existence of any
natural oyster rocks in that county but
IL had since been ascertained that there
are two hundred acres of such rocks IN
the State on last Friday the Supreme
court Of Appeals had rendered its de-
cision in a case from Isle OF Wight That
a man who had rented oyster grounds
for planting purposes had vested right
in the same and the State could not take
the land from him. If the survey was
reopened the renter of such oyster
grounds would have good grounds for
suit against the state for damages
In 1894 the geodetic survey had been re-
opened for four months but it was time
to step any further reopening OF the sur
vey.
SETTLED TIE QUESTION.
Mr.. Waller, of Northumberland, said
there was no accepted dihniton oil what
natural oyster rock was and the inter
estcd parties had always made their own
definition The Legislature Of Virginia
had settled the question in this State by
having the Baylor survey made ana de-
claring that there should be no other ma
tural oyster rocks, then contained in The
survey and all ether oyster grounds
should be rented out for planting pur-
poses. II Captain Baylor, who made the
survey, had been in King and Queen
county and had declared that there was
natural rock in that county, then his
decision would have been final AS 1t
was. Captain Baylor never went there.
the Judge of the county court apparently
believing that there was no natural rock
in his county.
lie thought the people in King and
Queen had been sleeping long time on
their rights and they might be given an
opportunity TO have a survey made. The
state would have no right TO rent out ma
tural oyster rock, as long as IT had de-
fined what such rock was. The ques-
ton whether any natural rock had been
rented cur in that county would therefore
make no obstacle. The speaker explain
ed that he neither advocated nor OPP
posed the bill but M only desired TO point
out these facts for the consideration OF
the House. II ought 10 be the policy OF
the State 10 preserve the integrity OF the
oyster survey.
Mr.. Stubs, OF Gloucester, said the
county Of King and Queen had never
had an opportunity TO have a geodetic
survey made in that county under the
existing law. If this bill was passed II
would no; affect that contract now exist
ing in relation 10 the renting out Of GER
tain oyster grounds there for planting
purposes.
Mr. Craig admitted that he was in fav-
or OF having the bill defeated. while Mr.
Digs. of King William. warmly advocat-
ed its passage. and offered as an amend
ment that there shall be an appeal from
the decision of the judge OF the County
Court OF King and Queen. Another
amendment offered by Mr.. Diggs provid-
ing that wherever natural oyster rocks
had been rented 10 a planter. the latter
shall be given twelve months for the re-
moval OF the oysters planted by him.
When this oyster ground was rented
out II was done in violation Of the spirit
II not OF the letter OF the constitution.
LITTLE SPAT
While he thought the State should pay
the expenses OF such a survey which had
been neglected by its officers 10 be made,
Mr.. Dtggs said, he was willing to have
tho county pay these expenses. because