The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-07
A Number of Tidewater Gentlemen
Stated Their Grievances.
THEIR BILL WAS CONSIDERED.
Legislative Committees Met in Joint
Session. but Postponed a ction
Until To-Day-The Matter OF
sale of Chesay cake :, n d tho
Purchase of Modern
Steamer Was Discussed

Fish and oysters and the oyster navy
got in the race with the Constitutional
Convention yesterday and rrotted it a
lively heat
y large delegation of oyster planters
were in Richmond TO lodge their COM
paints with the lawmakers and to seek
protection 10 their interests.
The State Board of Fisheries held twa
lengthy SESSIONS. heard the oysgernen-
gave approval to the general objects of
their bill adopted at a conference held in
West Point Tuesday night. and referred
the planters TO the Senate Committee on
Fish and Game and the House Committee
on Chesapeake and Its Tributaries. These
legislative bodies met Jointly at night.
heard the oyster men and postponed ac-
ton on their bill until to-day.
BOARD OF FISHERIES
All the members of the Board of Fish
cries We're present. as follows: DR.. Frank
Fle her. president: Capt. Seth Miller,
secretary: Capt. John Y Curtis. Senator
George E. Keezell and Hon. Pembroke
Petit
Among the oystermen in attendance We're
the following: Messrs. w. E. Block, of
Battery Park. Isle of Wight county; D.
NJ. Nelson Charles ~ Ayers, Ashton
Fletcher, James II. Mears, of Accomac
county: j. l. Mulford, r. w. Hefferon.
DIR. Richardson, George w. Richardson,
OF West Point; Mr.. Scharf. Captain AL
mond. of Almonds. Gloucester county; j.
c. Robinson. of Hampton. Frank Lewis.
OF Lift Walton; p. l.. Farinholt, Thomas
3. Smith. of Cheriton; DR. j. l.. Wilkins
and Captain j. FL Castor, of Aceomae
county.
Colonel Farinhoit. former citizen OF
Tidewatar Virginia, and now a resident
of Baltimore. acted as the principal
spokesman for the oystern1en. He told of
their grievances, of 4 need of q resurvey.
and of the necessity OF protecting the
seed oysters.
The Board after hearing what Colonel
F'arinholt and others had To say, gave its
approval to the main objects of the bill.
but not having time to examine into the
details of the measure referred it to the
legislative committees.
NIGHT SESSION
The Board was in session at night until
11:30 o'clock. Much routine business was
disposed of and there was considerable
discussion with reference to selling the
steamer Chesapeake, the flagship of the
oyster navy. and purchasing a modern
vessel. No decision was reached in this
matter The trouble was the lack OF
funQS- Ihe chesapeake WOULD sell IoF
SO. .000 or s.. 800, but a few thousand dollars
additional would have TO be raised TO Sc
cure such a vessel as is needed. The
board adjourned to meet at 10 o'clock this
morning to further consider this and
other matters.
Before the Legislative Committee.
The Senate Committee on Fish and
Game and the House Committee on CheSa-
peake and it's Tributaries held q joint
meeting in the Senate Chamber last nigh
to consider the bill recommended by the
Virginia Oyster Planters Association, at
West Point, on Tuesday night.
Colonel Farinflolt was the first speaker
in behalf of the measure He pointed oin
the necessity for the legislation asked. and
said he had never attended q gathering
where those present were more hnrmoni.
Gus and enthusiastic in their action thai
the oyster planters who met at West Poin
and recommended the bill which he wa
here to advocate. He said his people were
not welded to details. but they needed this
relief and were willing that the committee
should perfect the measure
Col Furinholt said it was a sad fact
that some OF the oyster inspectors OF thf
State were in collision with those violat
ing the law and the bill provided for theti
removal and punishment The Speaker
discussed the bill section by section, and
asked the committee to perfect the BIZ
and recommend its passage. as it was I'M.