Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-07
GOVERNOR I'Y'IE R' S MESSING
10 THE, GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
Intelligent Discussion OF Questions Involving.
th6 Interests OF Lh6 P6OD6.
The Existing Law Regulating the States Oyster Interests
Commended Admonition not to Permanently Increase
Expenditures Before Next Assessment Of Lands and
Source Of Increased Revenue Suggested to
Delinquent Tax Law Recommended The Trusts
Condemned Senatorial Primaries Advocated The Buy
ing Of VotesPaYnent Of Grimes Battery Claim Urged
Amendments to State Constitution and How Best to Sc
cure Them

Average per annum......... 1886 80
Average annual expense un-
der the old law 1921 20
Average annual expense un-
der the new lGM.. .......... 20,264 80
There should be encouragement in
such q showing.
Governor Wise, when he sent to the
Legislature his famous message in
1857, In which this subject among
Others was treated, indellbly impressed
upon the minds of the people of Vir-
Einia the value of their property in
public soil suitable for the cultivation
of oysters. The State was looking
about for new sources of revenue, and
he estimated that we had 1000 square
miles of oyster grounds, and that the
yield from them was 25.000,o00 to 3d.
100000 bushels per annum, and that a
tax of two cents per bushel would
yield n yearly net revenue of $3.50, 900.
But for the approach of the war be-
tween the States, 1T is probable there
would have been some decided IeGisla-
ton, upon the subject. AS 1t is, forty
odd years have passed, and as the Gull
mination OF several experiments, we
have just seen the beginning OF a sys-
tenn which holds out the promise of
certain and considerable revenue. The
State may hope now, for a steady In,
crease In her revenue from 4 oyster
grounds, but long years. must pass
and the planting Industry must i'm
prove vastly, if ever G3ayo can Indulge
the hope OF seeing the sum reached
anything like the amount predicted by
Governor Wise. EEL, tx.
The result Of the Baylor survey was
to show that we have about200,o00 acres
of natural Oyster beds, and about 400-!
mn nthor ri suit n 20
the cultivation{ofo oysters, Much Of the
latter. however, has muddy bottom
which must be Improved at more or
less cost before 1t can become profita-'
bic planting ground. But even if one
fourth of this territory can be utilized
and rented, the State will, receive from
planting ground alone the'sum of $780,
900, and With proper protection to the
natural beds and Just revenue from
the same, this sum can be greatly
augmented.
The great aim Of the State should be
to preserve the natural beds, whence
comes our supply of seed oysters, and
to encourage planting.
! refer you 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-
ton to judge, public sentiment is stead
lily cryStalizlng In support of the exist
ing law and believe 1t will, ere long,
be found to be satisfactory revenue
producer AS the planting Industry
prospers, more of our lands will be
taken by planters On the other hand,
this law gives to the people interested
in oyster culture a security and tenure
they have always longed for and have
not had hitherto. A survey as sue-
gested by the board should be made
by all means. am of the opinion that
any disturbance OF the basis upon
which the present law rests would be
harmful in the highest degree to the
State. dts well as to those who are
directly interested in the cultivation
and marketing of oysters. Peace and
security are what the oyster Interest
needs, and with them will come, I am
sure, q gradual but certain increase in
the States revenue. If Virginia can
be fortunate enough to always keep the
positions on such boards from being the
rewards of partisan political labors. we
will have the pleasure in the future, as
at present, In receiving such gratifying
returns. s
FINANCES.
I beg ITO call attention to the very
flattering financial condition of the
State. as shown in the report of the
Auditor of Public Accounts. The State
LIST OF January. 1902, to meet the 1 per
cent. additional interest charges on its
bonded debt. This will Impose an, in
crease burden upon the State of $1,000
per annuni. Though the report shows
handsome surplus in the treasury Il
would be risk, and perhaps irrepara-
BILE mistake for the Legislature to con.
clude that there Is less need for the
exercise of economy than there has been
in the past years. There have been
unusual causes for increase in the reye-
nue. for the last two years. especially
has the collection of arrearages on the
delinquent land tax been a potent fac
tor in producing this result. We must
bear In mind that the State has coll
lected in the two years much that
should have been coming In for the last
eight or ten years, and we should not
be allured into extraYagance. or make
calculations which will not be justified
by normal conditions. BY all means
we should await the next assessments
of lands before we. fix upon the treas
ury any permanent increase in expen-
& !turcs further than Is absolutely nec-
5essary. e :; & y
If the assessed value Of property re-
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