Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-09
THE OYSTER DISPUTE.
rHE GOVERNOR THINKS 4 SET
TLEMEyT Is PROBABLE.
ACCOUNT OF TIE ENTIRE TROUBLE.
IL Hogan with the Arrest of Wary
land vIoIntosS in Maryland waters
by virginia acknowledgements "'
settlement Capitol Notes.

The long-vexed question as TO the au-
thoriry of Virginia and Maryland over
violators Of the oyster law in the waters
OF the Chesapeake seems in fair way
OF settlement in a manner satisfactory
10 both States. though not III manner
at first contemplated by the Governors
Of the two States.
On the night Of February %, 1899, Cap
tain William Paris. of the Virginia po-
lice boat, pursued across the line in
Tangier sound and arrested the crew
Of the Water Lily. and took them to
Tangier Island. The next day the po-
lice boaf seized the Minnie Estelle, crew.
and cargo the vessel at the time lying
In White Cove Maryland. All but three
of the men captured escaped, or we're
liberated; tine three have been In Jail
At Onancock, Accomac county, until
liberated the oath of April. The boats
were held at Tangier Island until ordered
released by khe Governor on the third of
the present month. The crews OF the two
boats were charged with dredging oysters
on Woman's Marsh Rock. in Tangier
sound, and wholly within the jurisdiction
~ Virginia.
EFFORTS At SETTLEMENT.
The men were indicted by the Accomac
grand jury but were never tried. There
was quite q lengthy correspondence be-
tween Governor Tyler. OF Virginia, and
Governor Lowndes. OF Maryland. over the
case. and Acknowledgement Montague, or
this state, and Mir. Gather, the Attor-
ney-General of Maryland, conferred over
the matter In Washington. The result
Of the correspondence and conference was
that an agreement was reached which
Governor Tyler was hopeful would estaD-
lish a precedent, and settle the entire
question. once for all. His proposition, TO
which the Maryland authorities acceded,
was that the men held should be dis
charged from custody, and that the boats
should be sent back To Crisfeld, their
home port. Al the same time he was to
grant to the Commemorative Attorney
of Accomac requisition papers for the re-
leased offenders, and the Governor of
Maryland was To issue rendition warrants
as soon as the papers were presented. III
This way IL was proposed to rearre5t the
men as soon as they reached Maryland
soil and return them TO Virginia for trial
Governor Tyler was advised by Attor-
ney-GeneTal Montague that the ENecu-
tive had the authority to -eleaSe the yes
sells but not the crews OF the boats
This ARRANGEMENT did not meet with
the approval of the Judge of the Acco-
mac court and the Commonwealth At
torney of the county. They did not like
the idea OF surrendering the boats, or
the men. and Commonwealth s-Attorney
Gunter would not consent 10 make re-
QUESTION for the two which 1t was the
purpose Of the Governor to have released.
AS a result. the prisoners were released
on April oath, and the boats We're surren-
dered last Wednesday.
THEY DID NOT APPROVE 1T.
This action prevents the estab-
lishment OF a precedent such as the
Governor desired, and which he thinks
would be OF inestimable benefit in th'
future. Heretofore Maryland oystermeI
had nothing to fear except the danger O
capture by Virginia polce-bOats, ant
whenever the boats were out Of sigh
they could come into Virginia waters and
dredge until the police-boat reappeared.
Under the plan that Governor Tyler de
sired 10 establish they would be liable L
be arrested any time after the offenc
had been committed ana Win the DANCE
OF having detectives ever mingling Will
them. and the pledge of the Governor 0
Maryland 10 surrender trespassers o.
rendition warrants. the depreciation
would. Governor Tyler thinks. certainly
be greatly iessenod. II not broken up
The details OF the plan OF settlement
likely to be finally adopted are not yet
made public
4 CONVICT ESCAPES.
A negro convict named William Cobbs
from Pittsyiyania county, escaped from
the guard in the Capitol Square Satur
day afternoon. He secreted himself In the
Capitol. and was not missed until severa
hours HAD passed lie has not beer
found
When the oonvicts were turned over (
the guaro from the penitenuary by OH
Ger jenkins. % the Square police force
who had them In charge, Cobbs's absence
was NOT observed. An hour OF two latel
IL was discovered. The Capitol buildns
was searched from basement to attic. bu
the negro could not be found. lie /.
Thoughts To have hidden i'm che Capitol
and gotten out under cover OF darkness:
and made his escape. An ovefcoat left IL
tho Capitol by some one several week.
ago was missing. and 1t is supposed TN