Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-03-26
Sharper Demand of the Gov
ernOr of Maryland.
OUR GOVERNOR WON'T YIELD
The Chief Magistrate of Our sister
State Demands Release OF Oystor-
men Captured by Virginia Police
Bont- 1sistory of tho Case-Army
Supplies Paid For-viyit From Al.
miraI schicy.
Special 10 virglnlan-I.llot.)


Richmond, Va. March Ex-Governor
Tyler will hardly yield to the some
what sharp demand of Governor
Lowndes, OF Maryland. that the oyster
men of that State recently captured in
Maryland waters by Virginia police
boat be released.
The Governor received to-day from
Governor Lowndes the letter published
In to-day's papers demanding that the
men be surrendered. The Governor
was asked as to whether he approved
of the action of the Maryland EXecu-
tive in giving the letter to the press be-
fort it had been received here. lie re-
fused to discuss the matter. He also
refused to say whether he dislked the
tone OF the somewhat sharp letter.
The Governor and Attorney General
Montague were in conference sometime
yesterday regarding the legal aspects Of
the case. Acknowledgement Montague
has not yet given the Governor n final
opinion i'll the matter. but il is believed
he will advise him that he has not the
right to liberate any of the crew of
the captured vessels. Only two of the
men are now in jail. They are con-
fined at Onancocl. The Attorney Gen
eral will probably advise the Governor
that he may order the captured YES
sells released, but that the men VIII
have to look to the courts for liberia
ton.
The vessels and crew were captured
in Maryland waters in TanSier Sound
by Capt William Parks and crew, OF
the Virginia police boat. They are al
legged TO have been taking oysters in
Virginia waters. and We're pursued
ncross the line and captured. The
crews were taken to Onancock and
Jailed. and the vessels. the Water Lily
and the Minnie IIstelle, were held to
await condemnation proceedings. La
ter all the men were set free except
two. The vessels are still held.
GOVERNOR LOWNDES' REPLY.
Governor Lowndes asked that the
men be set free. The Governor had the
case investigated by President I'lctch-
err of the State Board of Fisheries ana
Commonwealth's Attorney Gunter of
Accomack. Their report made it doubt
full whether the men should be set free.
and Governor Tyler so informed Cover
nor Lowndes. The latter, however,
says in his reply:
From the statement of Messrs.
Fletcher and Guntcr, as quoted in your
letter, 1t appears that the fact of The
captures having taken place in Mary
land waters is established. In view of
the unwarranted violation of the nov-
ereignty of the State of Maryland l
hereby renew my request that the
members of the crew of the vessel Min
ME Estelle be released from custod.'
and returned to Maryland. and that the
vessels Water Lily and Minnie Estclle.
with their cargoes. be restored to their
owners.
Let me assure Your Excellency that
have no desire to cOndonc or defend
the violation of the laws of Virginia bv
ri n - md Nv, II,
guilt or innocence OF the accused is not
under consideration. So long as there
IS an orderly method for the interstate
rendition of alleged fugitiveS from Jus
tice. provided by the Constitution and
laws of the United States and uni
formly recognized by the several States.
/ cannot consent to the invasion of
Maryland territory by the police au-
thorities of Virginia for the pursuit and
arrest of persons charged with violat-
ing the laws of that Commonwealth
Your Excellency Will. doubtless.
agree with me that citizens are but en-
couraged 10 do lawless acts when they
see State officers temselvos permitted
20 transcend the bounds of lawful au-
thority."
PUBLISHED EARLY.
The letter from which the foregoing
extract is taken was written Friday
and given to the press before it had
DeeTl received Dy Governor i yer. Tnerp
is believed to be no likelihood of the
men being released.
MONEY RECOVERED.
Governor Tyler has received from the
Federal government its draft for
$2,967.Sl. this being the amount Nir-
ginia advanced to pay the bills of per-
sons who furnished supplies to the SOL
diers. The money has been placed to
the credit of the contingent fund from
which it was taken.
AN APPRECIATIVE PRISONER.
A few weeks ago the papers printed
an Item saying Simon Bowie. an old
fashioned negro, in Chesterfield jail.
had declined n pardon when its ac-
ceptance would have neoessltatcd his
going North TO live. That item went
the rounds Of the newspapers. \ Ches-
terrified lady of well known family. now
teaching school in Indiana, saw it and
wrote the Governor as follows:
Far off in Indiana 1 read the en-