The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-03-01
Reasons for Opposition to JordanBll

Editor or The }lImcs-DlS patch: iassa
slr.-The@ great question OF leasing oys-
ter bottoms OF Virginia, Chesapeake Bay
and rivers Is now being discussed. I
beg to be allowed space for some re-
marks in regards to the Jordan leasing
bill.
No doubt Mr.. Jordan has struck re-
sponsivo chord In the minds and hearts
Of many oyster packers" and wealthy
planters by this beautiful leasing the
ory'' which appeals strongly to their
pockets.
This is selfish world. All men arc
more or less selfish; yet seltlsiness to
certain extent Is not to be despised.
1t is selflshness that makes man labor
for himself and loved ones. 1t keeps
tho great wheels OF the business world"
turning, which, By their revolution, feed
and clothelman. Yet we should let ''chnr-
ity'' and Justice" have place alongside
OF our selfshness In our desire TO have
q few wealthy oyster planters OF oyster
packers on the Hridewater OF the Rap
pahannock River. we should not forget
tho other s!do Of tho picture which would
show thousands Of honest oystermen hav
Ing greater struggle to earn a llveli-5
hood because Of the selfish greed Of a.
comparatively small number OF avari-
cious and uncharitable men.
Oystermen say the leasing nfthe4rocks
Will deprive them Individual citizens) Of
their rights.
Oyster grounds will be taken up and
monopolized by the veal thy class to the
exclusion of a great number OF poorer
citizens.
The Baylor survey has driven shoal-.
water oystermen out In deep water all.
along the tideWater of the Rappnhannock
River.
Tho Baylor survey gave tho wealthy
class a greater part5of the oyster rocks
In this river.
Recall back 20 years that have passed
when oystermen had the rights to tho;
shore. Now their rocks belong to the
wealthy GLASS.
Tho oystcrmen as class arc very poor
people. They hardly earn q livelihood out
OF tho business On account OF PAD
weather one fifty Of tho time Is lost a.
least. n u !ss si552 4 -
tho business. They are Subjected 70 y
great deal Of exposure. and y the ave.
rage earnings among the whole class o.
oyatermen on Iappahannock RIVER. OK
ceeding a number of two or three thou,
sand, working for their dally preuu' -
not exceed 5000 per year,
1t would be well to increase taxes on
wealthy oyster planters to raise the repe-
nue. 70 run our great navy of virginia
One steamer cannot Watcn Inc e!.tlIe ttN-
ar. Why not let oyster packers Help pay
a mart Of the taxes with the oystermen;
Ear Instance, have an Inspector appointed
Nv bw Tic State at each oyster house, also
a r1easurer. Lot oystermen and buyer
each bear q part OF the expense.
I remember that In my boyhood days
could pick UP plenty Of oysters e1 and oy =,
Inc rock Of tidowater Of old Rappahan-
mock Now the cry has g9 re- forth nah that
arc depleted, From 8 to 5 or 10 bushels
4 day and the3prlce paid for them from
Il to 50 cents per bushel. When the
catch was 100 bushels per day, the oys-
3ters sold from 20 to q cents per bushel,
So you can 500 the oystermen MS n
| class ure not Tho class to pay all Of the
tax, The planter, Mt any rate, ought to
pay So. 90 an acre, &
| n They would not inch out over the Bay
lor survey and violate the laws OF tho
| land II taxes were higher.
| 7 nm frank to say that n great part Of
| the oyster bottoms In Baylor survey Is
| worthless, s5 a,I3
The planters all along Of tdewater Of
old Fn ppm hammock have lnched out from
year to year possibly some Of them are
| 100 yards from shore or oyer the line,