Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-02-01
MARYLAND KLONDIK'
1t Is In The Barren Bottoms
The Chesapeake.


planation of his bill providing for leas-
ing the barren bottoms of the Chesa-
peake bay. He was listened to with
marked attention and evidently made
an impression. The recess ended before
the completion of his remarks and Mr..
Haman concluded after adjournment.
MR. HAMAN's PROPOSITION.
Mr.. Haman said: II have the privi-
lege by right of birth to speak plainly to
Eastern Shoremen on this subject from
the standpoint of the farmers of the
State. l was born on the Eastern Shore
and my people were farmers.
I'VE have under the waters of the
Chesapeake bay a source of vast wealth.
This Maryland .Klondike' has been neg
lected. l propose to open the mines..-
My proposition is to lease out the pres
ent unproductive part of our watery
bonanza. These barren bottoms con-
tain at least 1000 acres Rhode Is
land gets $40 per acre for it's oyster
lands.
Il propose a rental of from 81 to 50
per acre. That means a revenue of
s4O0. 600 to 100000 per annum TT
revenue, under the Road bill. is to,
expended in building and repairing the
roads of the State. And the as.ners of
the State would be primarily benefited
by this measure The packing inter-
ests would remain in Maryland instead
of being driven out
After the conclusion of his second
address Mr.. Haman was greatly en-
couraged by the expressions of approval
which he received from Senators. In
reply to question by Senator Apple
garth whether oyster culture in Vir.
ginia had resulted in a greater suppl.
he quoted letter from the United
States Fish Commission which stated
that the yield in Connecticut from the
natural beds had been worth $1.62 per
acre and from the cultivated grounds
S34.66 per acre. The same letter stated
the result in Accomac county. Virginia.
TO have been $l9S.7S per acre on culti-
waited grounds and s7.46 per acre on
natural beds. In closing Mr.. Haman
re.stated his position which was first
published in the Sun. He said he had
prepared at the request of tidewater'
bounty corporate bill under which ti
corporation would yay $25. O0Ay
royalty TO the State for the right to Ia
up valuable area. This bill would
Il proper one to pass if :he State CO
nothing about its general interests.
stated that he would rather have
credit and rencwn that would cor
him from the passage of the e.
bill than the profit from the spec.
At the close of the speech ther
hearty applause and congratul IL
from the audience.
Mr.. Haman has also received an inv
tation to address the House of Delegates
on this subject.
| IMBEDDED WEALTH.
As the Chesapeake bay Is the center
of the State. almost wholly within
Maryland jurisdiction, its Importance
commands attention. Prof. William K.
Brooks, of Johns Hopking University.
says:
1.-The Chesapeake bay is a great river
valley not as large as that of the Nile
or Ganges, but of enough consequence
to play an important part IN
| ET..
and prosperity population as gre
that of many famous States. Ii re
the drainage of vast area of +
land stretching over the meadow.
hillsides of nearly one third of
York and nearly all of the great
cultural States of Pennsylvania, \
land and Virginia. The most v.
part of the soil of this great
farming land. more than
acres in area, ultimately find
TO the bay, in whose quiet
makes long halt on its jour
ocean. and it is deposited nj ~.
bay. in the form of fine. Ii yht, bl
sediment known as oyster mud.
is just as valuable TO man. and jus
fit to nonrish plants, as the mud W
settles every year on the wheat ii
and rice fields of Egypt"
This ailuvinm is in fact a natural
tilizer which sustains an endless va
of microscopic plants and anima
which the Chesapeake bay oyste'
tens and multiplies and becomes Z
ceptional oyster of the world for
and other qualities. Ii is estimate
for 56 years: that is from 1884.
the oyster packing business wa
lished in Maryland, TO the ye'
upwards of 400,0O0.oe
tiers were taken from tb
in the Chesapeake bay
les for packing and sfs
proper restrictions and
farming which must o.
future, the Chesapeak
will prove an almost
of wealth and COM
to many thousands
the State.