The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-01-25

'%~ "NA''nb "Au hePPAbk VI HneAs"su
in the county Of Aocomao, approved
December 30. 1897.
The following House bills WERE
passed:
To allow Captain N. B. Rich tc
erect wharf or pier IN AssAteagus
harbor. In Accomac county, Va.
To Ok the salary Of the Board Of So
pervisors Of Fauquiei county.
The investigation OF the Soldiers
Home. at Richmond, by q Legislative
committee is In progress. Five men
have testified and one Of them severely
criticised the food served.
STANDS ADMITTED.
After a debate extending over foul
hours the Democratic caucus Tuesday
night adopted q resolution declaring
that Mr. Stands was entitled to a seat,
though disclaiming any reflection upon
the State Committee Of the party, which
had declared Colonel Boykin to be the
regular nominee.
IMPORTANT OYSTER LEGISLATION.
The Committee on Fish aud Game
reported the following bills. which are
those agreed upon BY the committee
and State Board OF Fisheries:
Amending and re-enacting section II
OF an act to amend and re.enaot sec.
tlons 2l8i, 2l3S. 2lS4. 2lS5, 2l37, 2l4S,
2l5l. 1888. and TO repeal sections 2l4l,
9l4s. 2l43. 2l4i. 2i45. and 2l47 Of
chaper 81 Of the Code. relating to oys
tiers, and to add an independent SEQ
on thereto.
To regulate the taking and catching
OF CLANS for sale or planting in the
waters Of the Commonwealth.
To provide for setting apart and de'
ignating grabbing grounds In the
waters Of the Commonwealth.
Giving to all lessees Of fifty or more
contiguous acres Of planting grounds Il
dredge or scrspe the same. under GER
tiin conditions. and to impose g pen
atty for dredging or scrapping plant
ing grounds except as provided for In
this act
Mr.. Munford offered q bill to COM
pensate George B. Keezell. Pembroke
Petit. and John A. Curtis In the sun
Of 500 each for services rendered az
members OF the State Board Of Fish
cries.
The law creating the board, which
was passed at the last session, provides
that the chairman and secretary OF the
State Board Of Fisheries shall receive
a salary, but that the other three mem.
bers OF the board shall serve without
pay.
Mr.. Hunley. OF Mathews. appeared
before the House Committee on Courts
OF Justice Monday morning and re-
quested that action on the proposed
amendment to the Constitution. strik.
ing out section 2 Of Article x. in re
gard TO the tar on taking oysters with
tongs. bs post poned until he could con-
fer with Senator Keezell and other
members Of the Legislature. He call.
ed attention to the fact that ia amend.
ing the Constitution so ~ 10 facilitate
the collection Of revenue there are
other important rights Of the people
which should be preserved and pro-
tected
Mr.. Matthews, Of Acoomac, was pres
emit and joined in the request, and mp.
on motion Of Mr.. Oardwell, Of Han.
over, the matter was postponed until
Friday next at 10 A. II.
In an interview afterwards Mr.. Hun
Veg stated that his course on 10 oyster
question would be conservative and
fair. He feared that unfortunately
there is an impression In the minds of
many that the people OF the fish and
oyster section desire to evade proper
taxation, but this is an injustice. to
them. taking the people Of that section
as q whole He had talked with the
members Of this Legislature from that
section, and he knew that Ii was not
the intention Of any Of them to OBJ
struct legislation. I'VE propose. A"
said Mr.. Hunley. Ito meet the repre-
sentatives from the interior In spirit
Of fairness and harmony. and TO unite
in the effort to protect and improve
the industries Of our section and enable
the State to obtain proper revenue
therefrom. We desire TO impress upon
our people at home the Importance Of
the latter, but at the same time those
Of other sections need to be properly
informed as to the difficulties and EN-.
barrassments Of those engaged In the
fish and oyster industries.
Delegates W. d. Oardwell. E. o
Jordan, s. ". Mathews, @. ]. Gould.
man and W. II. Buntin, have been
appointed q committee on the part Of
the House to investigate the status Of
the oyster inspeotors Of the State.