Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-12-07
GOVERNOR
Continued From Page Four.)


Total amount collected for the
first eighteen months of the F
laws operation was ........S 73, sos, 40
Total expenses ........... 30,3s7, "a
Net revenue to the State AZ, 500. O6
Total revenue for the previous
year. :. !. ............... 2s.ss5. %
Total expenses ............ 1883 AZ
Deficit .... ..........s 1908. 20
difference, aiding deficit. 43,317.29
Total income for four years,
1894 -9s-s7 :. ). .. .......... 131 $50 50
Total expenses for the same
time ................ 11G, 1856. 10
Net :. :. :. :. ........s 14.745. %
Average per annu1n .......... 1855. 80
Average annual expense under
the old law ......... 90, 22l 20
Average annual expense I'M
der the new law ......... 2O,264. So
There should be encoura cement III
such a showing ~ ".
Governor Wise, When he sent TO
the Legislature his famous message i'll
1857. in which this subject among
others was treated, indelibly impress
ed upon the minds Of the people Of
IN public, soil suitable for the cultiva-
tion of oysters The State was look
ing about for new sources of revenue.
and he estimated that we had 1000
SAusd1S uI1llSSs OIL oyster grounds, .lnu
that the yield from them was 25,OO0,-
900 to 30.000,000 bushels per annum.
and that 8 tax OF two cents per bushel
would yield a yearly net revenue %
$450,o0O. But for the approach Of the
Wear between the States, it is probable
there would have been some decided
legislation upon THE subject AS it is,
forty odd years have passed. and as
the culnaination of several expert
1nents, we have just seen the beginning
of a system which fofd!s out the prom
Use of certain and considerable reve-
nue.. The State MAY hope now for a
steady increase in her revenue from,
oyster grounds. but long years must
pass and the planting industry must
Improve vastly. if ever we can indulge
the hope Of seeing the sum reach any
thing, like the amount predicted by
Governor Wise.
THE BAYLOR SURVEY.
The result of the Baylor survey was
to show that we have about 200
acres of natural oyster beds. and about
100000 acres of other ground suitable
for the cultivation of oysters. Much
of the latter, however, has muddy bot
tom which must be improved at more
or Hess cost before it can become profit
Table planting ground. But even If
one fourth of ~ this territory can be
utilized and rented. the State will re-
ceive from planting ground alone the
sum of 100000 and with proper pro
lection to THE natural beds. and a just
revenue from the same, the sum can
be greatly augmented
/ refer to the report Of the State
Board OF Fisheries for much valuable
Information relating to the progress OF
their work. So far as am in a posi-
y ton to Judge, public sentiment is stead
lily crysta1izing in support of the ex-
listing law, and believe it wil1n ere
long. be found to be a satisfactory rev
enue producer. AS the planting indus
try prOspers, more OF our lands Will be
taken by planters. On the other hand
this law gives to the people interested
in oyster culture security and ten
IRE they have always longel for and
have not had hitherto. 4 survey as
suggested by the board should be made
by all means. I am Of the opinion thai
any disturbance of the basis upon
which the present law rests would be
harmful in the highest degree to thf
State. as we'll as to those who are di-
rectly interested i'm the cultivation ant
marketing Of oysters. Peace ana secu.
rity are what the oyster interest needs
and with them will come. l am sure, :
gradual but certain increase in the
States revenue. II Virginia can b,
fortunate enough TO always keep The
positions on such boards from being
the rewards Of partisan political la
bors, we will have the pleasure in thu
future. as at present, in receiving Sucl
gratifying returns.
T FINANCES
I beg to call attention to the yer,
hattering financial condition Of tn,
State as shown in the report of tn
Auditor OF Public Accounts. The Stat
viii have to make provision after tn
first of January, 1902. to meet the on
Per cent. additional interest charges OF
it's Bonded debt. This will impose al
increase burden upon the State of $3.50.
900 per annum. Though the repor
shows a handsome surplus In the treas
ury, it would be risk. and perhaps il
reparable mistake for the legislature t
conclude that there is less need for tn
exercise Of economy than there ha
been in past years. There have bee
unusual causes for increase in the rev
enue for the last Two years. especially
has the collection OF arrearases on til
delinquent land tax been a potent fac
tor in producing this result. We mus
bear in mind that the State has collect
ed III the two years much that SHOULD
have been coming in for the last egh
or ten years, and we should not be al
lurcd into extravaganza, or make calcu
lations which will not be justified b,
normal conditions, BY all means VI
should await the next assessment o
lands before we fix upon the 1reasu1.,
and permane increase in expend
TIRES further than is absolutely neces
slry.
If the assessed value Of property re
mains as it is, some other source Of
revenue will have to be devised. 1t j:
hoped. however. the assessment will in
crease rather than diminish. I do MOI
feel, howecr. that the lands OF the Com.
nlonwealth could, in the continued low
price Of products, stand greater bur.
den than now exists. If it should be.
come necessary that any existing prop
erty should have an increased assess
nent. believe that the railroad and