Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1899-08-19
To 'Taic Public.

ulEcTeulC my cdQVdsb ny uloi0 Pl0
seRtation of what is known as an Act
to incorporate the Broadwater Oyster
Association. My surprise has been
mainly due to the fact that as local
matter, affecting interests outside OF
my county, l had no connection with
the bill beyond that of any other
member of the Legislature. desire,
however, distinctly and unequivocal-
ly, to endorse the Act. holding my
self responsible, with every other
member of the Legislature, for its
enactment; for 1 believe there was no
dissenting voice in either branch of
the Assembly as to the passage OF the
bill. The Act, which was approved
March Sd, 1896, is open fer public in
spection.
For the benefit of those who may
not trouble to examine it for them
selves, will quote from Sec. as to
the object and purposes of the asso-
citation, as set forth in its charter
Ito promote by the application OF
scientific methods, by experimental
research, and by other appropriate
means, the propagation, cultivation
and Improvement OF the oyster; to
plant oysters on the ocean side OF
Northampton county; to fatten oys-
ers in artificial ponds and elsewhere;
to shuck and prepare oysters for
market, and to take, buy, sell and
deal in oysters, CLAIMS and other
she'll fish,
1t will thus be seen that the object
of this association embraced scien-
tific experiment with which it is sim.
DIV uncomfortable, of course, that our
people could find fault, inasmuch as
large proportion OF the material
wealth of the Eastern Shore is in
volved in the oyster industry. and
about third Of our population de
pendent upon it. But, it is true that
nonresident persons, and non resi-
dent capital, were to be utilized, nee
essarily, in the experiment; and since
this was an apparent invasion of the
settled policy of the State, the Legis-
lature was especially careful to guard
the rights Of the public and the in
terests of the oystermen from any
possible danger. To this end, and as
an evidence of the care and foresight
employed the following provisos fol
low Immediately upon what have
just quoted-''provided, no oysters
shall be taken by said association ex-
cept for planting the same on lands
to be assigned to said association, or,
for shipment after being so planted;
and provided, further, that said as
ISOLATION shall only employ in taking
or catching oysters residents of the
State, within the meaning, or as de.
fined by the general laws of the
State for taking or catching oysters
In other words, the association was
expressly inhibited, by it's charter
first, FROM dealing in oysters as
mere matter of speculation, and to
the possible injury OF our local deal
ers; second, from taking oysters by,
or buying them from, any persons
other than residents Of the State.
Even the common rights of the nom
resident Spectator to come into the
State in competition with our own
dealers, was denied TO this incorpor-
alton, and by the very conditions i'm
posed by the charter, the association
was placed entirely at the mercy OF
our Virginia oystermen. How it can
be imagined that our oystermen were
being made the victims of trust, as
has been alleged, passes ordinary
comprehension. The Association
could not take oysters for Itself, or
have them taken, except by our own
citizens. Our oyStermen could sup-
ply them or not. at their option; and
certainly, if the idea Of trust is en-
braced in the Act, its functions and
benefits could only inure to our own
people.
But it is certainly not 30 difficult
to imagine what advantages and
benefits would naturally follow upon
such an experiment. 1t promised to
test the practical value of certain
scientific theories now interesting
naturalists IN Europe, and which are
being tested in artificial ponds there.
The charter provides for extensive
buildings, dykes. boats, &C., all to
furnish employment for our laboring
classes, and put money in their
pockets. 1t was to open new mark
ct for our oystermen, and enlarge
their field of operations. Its success
full workings would necessarily add
to the value of real estate contiguous
to it's location. Upon what principle,
then, of law, justice, or common
right Was the poor people OF Hog
Island and that sec ton to be denied
the priv lege of such an opportunity
Are not their means of livelihood
limited enough at best? What section
of the E. Shore Is there, not hopeless
ly benighted, or hide. bound with
ignorant prejudice, that would not
open it's arms to such an opportunity
for its people. have put myself to
some trouble to ascertain how far the
Judgment and wisdom Of the Legis
lature have been justified by results.
l have found no FISHERMAN within
the jurisdiction of the Act who has
not accorded the Legislature credit
for its passage. So far, the operations
of the association have been merely
tentative and experimental. Wheth-
er the scheme has been abandoned
or not T cannot saw. but | do know