The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1901-03-15
Oyster Legislation.


"a: of the industry IN Mason county,
lave had close call during the present
session of the legislature, and only after
The most desperate fight has adverse
legislation been defeated by our repre-
sentatives. In this fight they have
been practically unaided, as far as
open assistance of other interested
members is concerned. Early in the
session the oystermen's association met
several times and considered bills
prepared by Fish Commissioner Little.
Many Objectionable features were
found, and on several points the oyster
men themselves were divided, thus
placing our representatives at a disad-
vantage. These original bills were
amended, but were side tracked and
other measures even more Objectionable
were introduced. A committee of Oys-
termen consulted with Representative
Gunderson and formulated such
amendments as would protect the oys-
termen and the state, but they were
lost in the house last Friday night, in
spite of the desperate fight made by
him OH the fioer against the measures.
1t was then plainly apparent that a
deep-laid scheme was being worked
through to capture the oyster reserves
in Mason county, and that the desired
restrictions could not be placed around
the seed beds, so necessary to the exist
ence of several hundred oystermen who
would otherwise be ruined, and there
was nothing left but to kill the bills.
The question was new to the majority
of the members, and it appeared that a
lobby was working hard for the bills,
promising in some cases to put those
who would support the measures
next to slice of oyster land.
Threats were also made and every
effort put forth to carry the bills
through. When the bills came up for
final passage Monday they were laid
on the table by vote of Al to 3S, a
narrow escape.
Our representatives were not con-
suited i'm the preparation of these bills
and were given to understand the lobby
had enough votes to force the matter
through and would make no cOnces-
siOns to our members. The measures
provided for the opening Of the present
oyster land reserves and that the board
might offer all they saw fit for sale;
there being no limits they could sell
the whole thing, seed beds and all, and
at the fiat rate of $40 per acre.
1t was generally understood that the
parties who have been so anxious to
get the bill passed, had already
prepared plats for practically all the
lands of value, and could file them as
soon as the Governor signed the bills.
They absolutely refused to allow pub
lished notice to be given, and the re-
suit would be the grabbing of all or
nearly all the reserves at nominal
price. Had these lands been offered
"above-board" with equal chances for
all, there could be no objection, al
though any of these lands at $40 per
acre would be a windfall for the
fortunate possessor.
One feature provided for better titles
to the old oystermen, over which there
was no contention, but it was danger
GUS to attempt to carry this through in
connection with the Objectionable bills,
at this late day, and the defect lean be
cured next session by separate meas
ure. The fight on the oyster bills has
been the hardest and hottest of the
session and the oystermen of Mason
county should be thankful over the
result.