Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-04

before in their history. 1t Is also true tnaL
the bulk Of the supply was not the pro-
duce of Maryland waters, but brought
here from Virginia OF, chartered vessels.
But the Virginia supply is also growing
shorter with each succeeding year. and it
will be only short while when her oyster
beds will be as barren as those of Mary
land
UP TO THE OPPOSITION.
1t is already apparent that if the oys-
termen defeat the Jordan blu. they can
only DO so by offering something in its
stead. It is generally recognized that
the necessity for some remedial legisla
ton exists and that it is growing year
by year more pressing 1naction will be
to the detriment of the interests Of the
oysters takers themselves if conditions
grow worse. The men from Underwater
usually fout any proposition originating
with members from other sections of the
State. contemptuously dismissing it with
the inquiry What does he know about
the oyster business?" On the other hand.
the mountain members assert that the
Tidewater members in many cases are
biased by self-interest and that they have
for years claimed monopoly Of informa-
ton on the subject and to which they are
not entitled.
MUST NOT BE SACRIFICED.
The men from other sections of the
State feel that the oyster interests are
too valuable to be sacrificed and eNtin-
guished by what they regard as greed
or disregard of the laws by some of the
oystermen. and that the oyster beds
should pay more revenue to the State.
Certainly, they claim. the revenue-pro-
ducing capacity of the oyster interests
should not be allowed to decline until the
State derives nothing therefrom. The
oystermen retaliate by claiming that they
of no 0f
the State already than their share, and
the lands of the up-country members
are assessed far below their value and do
not bear their equitable proportion of the
burden of government
Mr. Jordan has not yet offered his bill.
but the opponents Of the measure are
marshallinS their forces and preparing
their fight. When it does come there is
going to be more oyster talk than for
four or five years past.
The fight for the bill prescribing the
manner of electing or appointing commits
sioners of the revenue in counties. is one
which promises to provoke great discus
sion when it comes up. Several bills on
this subject are now in committee. and
when hearings are had the battle will
begin. but it will hardly end until the
question Is llllduy 1OuSIlt out III lNe Two
houses. Senator Lyle. of Roanoke. has
offered bill prescribing that commits
sioners shall be appointed by the judges
of the circuits Mr.. Lee. of Fairfax has
a measure designed to authorize the APP
pointment of commissioners by the Boards
of Supervisors of counties. Both plans
are opposed by many influential members
some of whom charge that they are
merely schemes to evade the constitu-
tional provision which forbids commits
sioners succeeding themselves. The judges
of the Circuit Court do not wish to have
this responsibility thrust upon them. and
many. people are opposed to dragging
the judiciary into politics On the other
hand. the plan of having the commits
sioners named by Boards of Supervisors
will. it is commended by some. give to the
courthouse rings" entire control of the
matter and result in the detriment of the
public service.
Many of the members agree with the
m embers of the late convention that it
is a wise precaution which forbids COM
missioners succeeding themselves and
that the limitation of their tenure of
Office to one term will result in great
good.
The other measures have their earnest
been no means Of judging Of the rela-
tive strength of the various propositions
on the subject. There is sure to be a
prolonged discussion Of the subject when
it comes up in committee.
The Capitol Building Committee. of
which Governor Montague is ex-ofticio
chairman. will meet at o'clock Friday
afternoon with the joint Finance Commit
tees of the two houses at the capitol.
1t will be remembered that all the bids
for the repairs to the capitol largely ex-
ceeded the amount available therefor
and the contract could not be let, An
effort will be made to secure an increase
of the appropriation. and this will be
stoutly opposed by many of the leading
members Of both houses Many Of the
members Of the House are disappointed
that the plans proposed by the Joint
committee for the repairs and improve
ment Of the capitol make no provision
for the enlargeme nt Of the House. which
is very much desired. 1t is not irpro-
liable that the entire matter may be re-
opened and that the nlans approved
will be rejected and others submitted. 1T
is felt by some members that II the
State Is going to- expend SO large sum
at this time, II should secure such en-
lsfgement of the old buildinEs % to ]