The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-12
THE OYSTER INDUSTRY
iINrELLIGEsTLY DISGUISED FROM
PRAcICAL STANDPOINT
The Revenues Can be Largely Increased
suggested Methods are Adopted.
Editor Of The Times

Editor Of The Times:
Sir.--That no practical and tangible ad-
vantage Is derived by all Virginia from
the increased valuation OF her lands IN
twenty counties Of the state. In consc-
eueneo OF their proximity TO her oyster
and nshius facilities. ana the utter fall
coy VI the Idea that the valley and west
ern portion of the state receives no beue-
mt " virtue of their Joint ownership with
the tidSwater counties OF the Chesapeake
and its tributaries when We consider the
increased valuation Of the lands along
our water COURSES and the largely in
creased revenue IN consequence Of the
higher assessment OF these lands incident
60 their location. is only one of the many
untonablc positions which We constantly
hear advanced by those who have not
tho time or disposition To give this sub
feet the earnest thought and faithful In
vcstigation which any legislation affecting
80 seriously very large portion Of our
state and a very large percentage of her
population deserves and should be en-
titled TO.
And / am entirely frank and candid 10
say that | believe II Is only because of
superficial and hasiy study Of the sub
iect that these misleading and entirely
fallacious but very pat and current eX
all sides until they have eliminated In
impressing the public generally with the
idea that whatever deficiency may be
in the revenues Of Virginia can be rene
died. and our deficit made good. our
creditors satisfied and the credit Of the
Commonwealth restored to its pristine
good standing. II only our tidewater
friends would consent 20 tax our oyster
ing and fishing industries TO cover this
nd
amount.
That 1t can be done, and should be
done is conceded and camorcd for by
all those who have given it only casual
study or consideration or no considera-
ton and no invest cation whatever. and It
is even asserted openly, threateningiy
and denantly that unless this is assented
10 the Representatives I'm our General As
sembly will devise and bring forward
some plan by which the oyster lands OF
Virginia may he sold or rented 10 for
eigners or non-residents and the scrip
tusl Judgment shall De meted out 10
MS. which was described In the Bbllcal
aIegory Of the man who having buried
his talent and not increased its value
was deprived Of II entirely ana forever
CONFIDENCE IN VIRGINIA.
But have more confidence IN the ma
iured good sense and final judgment OF
Virginia through her proper representa-
ttyes tho members Of her present Gene
raj Assembly. composed largely OF gen
tlemen of cultivation, and OF broad ana
liberal views on State policy. many OF
them Of ripe experience IN leglsiatoh'
and all Of them imbucd with that patriot
ism which impells them 10 sacrihce per
scnal interest to duty and whose gene
rositv and sense of equity would recon
AZ the idea Of having odious. unjust ana
iniurious legislation enacted to Obtain
r@venue from any section of our state
mo- matter how great the present ana
prospective demands on Us for Increased
revenue. ..,..
Let us. therefore. consider patiently
and cs.efnlly some of the propositions
for rolief which have been talked OF ana
written about in connection with lesls-
latiOn concerning tidcwater ana us re-
sources At the very outset. cur oyster
law prohibits any person engaged in
planting. though a true Virginia with
everv heart-throb fun of pride for the
prosperity Of the state. from obtaining
one dollar of capital outside OF the state
to invest i'm the use and handling OF oy6-
tiers and II you had a friend or broker o
banker or capitalist in any state OF the
whole fortv-six except Virginia who would
loan you money 10 invest IN handing
propagating OF planting oysters our state
law intorvenes with not only all the
machinery Of our courts, but backed by
the mailed hand Of our oyster police ana
confscates that capital and every dol
lar obtained from any person. bank or
other sources than from your Virginia
neighbor. who is perhaps IKE yourself
for many circumstances over which ne
has no control, not situated financially
to make YOU a loan: and thus the tide
water farmer owning land on the Ches-
apeake or its tributaries having his land
assessed at ten dollars per arcre because
II has tine oyster shore attached when
otherwise it would be assessed at three
or possibly five dollars per acre. finds our
law absolutely preventing him from Sc
curing capital to make use of the very
advantages for which he has been heaV-
lily taxed. and his advantages OF location
Inns becomes "a source of expense and
cause Of poverty instead of proht as II
should he and there are thousands ia
this condition and any gentleman VINO -
al all conversaut with the subject viii
confirm what l have stated.
CAPITAL DEBAIu ED.
You may borrow money to lun a i"'l Tory
TO make shoes. TO weave silks. TO can
fruit. To- stock a mercantile establish
ment. TO start a bank, 10 run newspa-
nor 10 build a clubhouse OF hotel of the
lie proportions and facilities of The
Chamberlain OF bring money into VII
f,,nia for any purpose and from anywhere
hut YOU shall not under a penalty of con-
HscatiOn under the statute law OF our
State secure one dollar Of capital out
side OF the State to engage in or prose
cute the oyster industry. And Yet IL must
b. made a prosperous and profitable bus
iness made so by the citizens OF TIDE
water in their poverty. Does IL not re
mind YOU of the Egyptians requiring the
Israelites 20 make bricks without straw
II IS even worse: We would have TO search
in some prehistoric age for proper par
ouel Moral. Let this Legislature re-
neal this law az quickly as possible ana
provide I'm doing 80. not TO allow foreign
-apiralists TO come IN and secure our val
uable oyster planting grounds ana 'he
nyoducis OF our natural beds and shoals
hui secure the bona hdo resident IN 'he
privilege to handle all the mercy he can
rei free OF lei or hinderancc. IN oysters
a. I'm ANYTHING else and at the same 'ine
guard against the nonresident. ei'her OIL
rectlv OF indirectly. owning any OF our
planting grounds
our resident planters would thus ne
given n great impetus. not Only TO use
more capital per acre, paying TO the state
forty cents ON every one hundred dollars
or the Increase but be encouraged TO take
nm and stake of greatly increased area
ana being enabled by the repeal OF the
In "a n IL