The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1902-03-21
HANNAH OYSTER BILL.

HAMAN OYSTER BILL.
The Hannah oyster bill, which has
been before the Legislature almost
since the opening of the session, is
now attracting considerable at
tention not only in the State but
throughout those parts of the coun-
try where our Maryland bivalve is
recognized by epicures as possessing
afavor not obtainable elsewhere. 1t
seems that nature has placed 4 food
in the Chesapeake Bay, which gives
to the wild duck, the oyster and the
terrapin a peculiar delicate flavor
not elsewhere possible. For years
past, however, it has been oticeable
that our supply was gradually de-
creasing. The rich natural beds,
which it had seemed almost impossi-
BILE to deplete, are growing less, and to-
day this fact stares the people of this
State in the FACET something is not
done to protect the Maryland oyster
its days are numbered. Many per-
sons, more especially the natives
themselves, think that the oyster
question is one Of locality only and
unless man is an Eastern Shore
man" he has no right to mention the
subject. Such, however, is far from
being the case. The magnificent in
land sea, which has made the State
famous, is as much the property of a
resident Of. Garrett county as it the
inhabitant of Worcester county.
Each person has an equal interest, land
it is for the people of the whole State
to say, and not any particular por-
ton thereof.
Mr.. Humans bill, which is now
before the Legislature, has in view
the leasing of what is known as the
barren oyster beds of the State, at a
small annual rental per acre, which
would in the aggregate produce a
handsome revenue to be used to-
wards the Improvement ofthe public
road system of this State. Hartford
county has personal interest in this
bill, for if we mistake not, it was here
that Mr.. Hannah first received sub
stantial encouragement for his
scheme. If memory is not defective
it was the Deer Greek Farmers Club
that made the suggestion to him that
the money be used towards ilnprov-
ing our public roads. The press of
this county has backed the scheme
for years and stand ready and will
ing today to further aid Mr.. Hannah
and other friends of the bill in every
substantial manner possible. The
session of the Legislature is now
growing short and it is the duty of
every citizen to do all in his power to
see that the billis enacted as a statute
The past few weeks has convinced
everyone of the necessity of an inn
proved public road system. Scarcely
one of our highways have been pass
able since the thaw commenced, and
only those who were compelled to do
SO have dared to stir about. Should
Mr.. Haman's bill become a law it
will form the basis of a system of
macadamized roads throughout the
State of Maryland; one that will in
crease yearly and at the same time
give employment to thousands of
persons both in the propagation of
the oyster and in the expenditure of
the money on public roads. Wecan see
noreason why the bill should not be-
come law and if it is defeated this
year the responsibility will not be
placed upon any political party but
on the individual members, for there
can be no possible party question in
jected into the matter. We hope
each individual legislator will bear in
mind that he will be held responsible
to his constituents no matter what
his politics may be.