Democratic messenger., 1899-02-18
OYSTERS AND POLITICS.


ficials of the New York, Phila-
delphia * Norfolk X. X. Co, is
one of the best posted men on
the Peninsula about the oyster
business. For years he was
railroad agent aud merchant
at Westover. Somerset county.
and he dealt largely in oysters
He is now IA Nirginian and is
warning the people of his
adopted State to send men to
the legislature who know the
needs of the oystermen. then
Mr.. Carroll proceeds to draw a
pretty picture of venal political
oyster legislation in Maryland.
Here is what he says on this
subject
Our sister state. Maryland, is
now giving us an object lesson
as To the results of venal politi-
cal oyster legislation. by which.
if we are wise. we must certain
ly profit. Maryland is in the
throes of death as regards her
oyster interests. Her oyster
beds have been depleted. and
her oystermen, once the most
prosperous of any section of
the country. are nearly pauper-
iZcd. and are beng daily driven
from their native heath TO Nir-
ginia. North Carolina, and
other states. where. under a
system of protection they are
enabled to make a livelihood.
The citizens of Maryland are
beginning to awaken to a real
iZation of their true condition.
but how to eXtricate herself
from her present condition is Il
matter difficult To solve and
while the fight goes on her
people are daily growing poorer
and poorer, and not only are
those engaged in the oyster
business being driven from her
shores, but scores of other in
dustries dependent upon the
success of the oystermen are
fast departing To more con
genial climes. Maryland pack
ers are coming into Virginia.
where the planting system has
made it possible for our people
To supply them with oysters
they have not at home. The
emigration of packers to the
Rappahannock and James
rivers, North Carolina and
other states, and the vast army
of laborers they take with
them, has withdrawn from
circulation, in the community
where they formerly lived
large sums of money, thus
crippling otherindustries which
are dependent for existence on
the money received from these
channels.
Go into every creek and cove.
both on the seaside and bay
side. and you will find impro
vised shucking houses for the
purpose of filing the orders of
the Mary landcrs who have been
compelled To come to us for
their stock, then say if any
better or more forcible argu-
ment could he used in favor of
our present oyster Legislation
and its wise protective pro
visions.
No man can estimate the loss
To the citizens OF Maryland, 10y
reason of the decline in the
oyster business. The dcprc-
: citation of vessel property alone
would run the losses up in the
millions, TO say nothing of the
: large sums of money that have
been invested in shipyards and
railways that are now Idle oI
have been abandoned. Tn,
labor they formerly employed
Is scattered TO the four winds
, or are barely eking out an
existence at work only ii small
portion of the time. Who'll,
towns and outlying belts which
were once flourishing centres
, now present the appearance OF
deserted villages. Unwise and
imperative oyster Legislation
has brought this condition
about. and Virginia not only
supplies Marylanders with oys
. ters. but contributes largely to
, the support of Maryland mcr.
chants doing business i'm towns
near her border.