The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1902-01-24
OYSTER LEGISLATION ON A
SENSIBLE BASIS,

has timely article. The oyster ques-
tion is one that concerns all the pco-
pie Of the State, for all are intel cstcd
in increasing the public revenues. Leg
islation that docs the greatest good to
the greatest number is the best legis-
lation because it is in keeping with the
principles Of republican government.
The protection of local interest to the
injury 20 the public is always fraught
with danger, ard no legislation based
upon this principle is stable. Every
General Assembly legislates upon
''oys!ers," and the legislation contiE-
ues to he satisfactory. No matter
will come before the present legisla-
ture that deserves greater considera-
ton, and We hope that patriotism and
State pride will influence those who
shall bear the responsibility of tormu-
lating the contemplated law upon this
subject.
Very forcibly does, The Sun, Say:
The oyster beds of the Chesapeake
bay have been and may again be made
to be the greatest single source of
wealth in the State. 1t should be the
aim of the General Assembly of Mary
land, and in fact of the people Of the
entire State, 10 preserve the oyster
grounds and make them yield the
greatest quantity of oysters, make the
greatest contribution to the public
revenues and furnish work to the great
est number of people We have be-
held constant decrease in the pro-
duct Of the oyster beds, in the public
revenues and in the Lumber OF people
employed. With the finest oysters in
tue world, with the best facilities for
producing them, we witness from time
10 time the removal of all oyster pack
ing house from this State to others
which have been less favored by rs-
ture. The reason of all this. the r,a-
son Of the calamity which threatens us
in the practical extinction of a great
industry. is the lack OF wise lcesla-
tion. We have studied the oy stcr and
we know something about its grow
and production. We know that with
out proper protection and regulation
the oyster industry will languish + it
does not die. We can see any day liz
winter steamboats, coming to Balti-
more from the Rappahannock river
loaded with oysters, while those which
come from the Potomac bring com
paratively few. We know that in
one river there is fairly good oyster
law, while in the other no law is effect
lively enforced, and that this makes
the difference. We can see what plant
ing laws have done for the business in
Worcester county, and we can see the
very life Of the Important town of Girls
field threatened by reason Of the deple-
tion of the oyster beds.
"What is the reason of all these
things? Tie trouble undoubtedly lies
in the unwise policy Of persons engag-
cd in taking oysters either as tongers
or dredgers. Nearly all these men
have steadily opposed any law provid-
ing for planting oysters or for protect
ing planters. Thus tie oyster ques-
tion has been dragged into politics.
The oystermen are sufficiently numor-
Gus in many of the close counties to
carry them at elections for either party
they may unite in supporting. 1t has
been in their power from time to time
to determine the political complexion
of the Legislature. This being the
case their views, however impol,c
and unwIse they have been, have pre-
vailed among timid politicians, who
value party success above the public
welfare.
"There is no logic more forctful than
the logic of events, and it is beginning
to become apparent that the logic of
events is finally impressing the oyster
men. In Somerset county the demo-
cratic convention declared in favor of
oyster planting, and the party was
more successful at the election than
for some years; at least, it was not
completely annihilatcd, as was pre-
dlcted. 1t shows that the light of
reason is dawning along tidewatcr."
The Baltimore Sun Almanac for