The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-12-19
ATTACKS OYSTERMEN.
SENATOR WATKINS DECLARES
THEY IGNORE LAWS IN
VIRGINIA.
Says Jordan Bill is Necessary TO
Save the Industry.

Mr.. Watkins. OF Prince Edward,
member of the special joint committee,
whose investie alton OF the oyster indus
try led TO the report along the line oil the
Jordan bill, made strong argument IN
support of the measure. The oyster IN
terests. he declared, had stoutly contend
ed for the rights OF the people, mean
ing by the people" the 1000 tongere
and their families, ignoring the rights
and interest of the 100000 people oil
the Commonwealth lie boldly charged
that all the laws regulating the oyster
industry had been ignored and dehed for
wears and that the State had found it
impossible to enforce them. The Sena-
tor charged the people Of ndewater with
arrogating to themselves all knowledge
of the oyster question and dismissing as
unworth of consideration any expires
sion from one who did not breathe the air
of inspiration that permeates the oyster
region.
Mr.. Watkins made a long argument for
the Jordan bin and indirectly charged by
Implication that the Board OF Fisheries
and other officers were violating the law
lie spoke Of ex- Senator Stubs, who was
ia the chamber. as the Bob lngersoll OF
the oyster interests Giving at much
length his observations in Tidewater, Nr
Watkins argued on the basis OF condi
tions as noted there that the oyster in
dustry was declining, that productive
rocks and bottoms had become barren
aud the oyster interests were in need oil
development such as is proposed In the
Jordan bill.
The Senate eOncurred in the bill appro-
priating 81 900 for fence around the
lee Monument passed the bill giving
S31 900 for additional wards at the Uni
versity of Virginia Hospital, concurred
in the Green amendment to the Pension
law renting pensioners who have be
come totally disabled, passed the bill al
/ Lowing treasurers TO give bonds with
personal as well as trustcompaDy seeur
sty. passed the House bill relieving under
I takers from iurK service and concurred
"a the House amendments TO the bill
with reference to fees of certain officers
There will be a committee on conference
over the House amendment to the bill hx.
100 the terms for the Circuit Courts under
The new judiciary plau. The Senate de
eiued tocOncur in the House amendments
and the House refused TO recede.
The Halsey bill, for determining who
are Migrants, was passed by the Ssnate
| This is based on the Georgia law, which
has been 80 effective that most OF the
loaiers in that State have been put to
] work.
/ Gov. Montague sent message 20 tht
ieneral Assembly embOdying a state.
ment from Gen. Lee that $4,000 had
been raised for the Stuart Monument
Nr. Wickhsm introduced a bill appro-
priating $4,000 for the erection OF the
| monument. The house passed the sen
ste Social Club bill, with certain amend
uents which probably will call Tor a
COMMITTEES Of conference. The vote wac
/ IL to ~.
The amended Pure Election bill and the
| General Election bill, which had preYl
ously failed, were both passed, the former
/ by a vote of IS to 3 and the latter by a
! vote OF IS to 10.
The Senate passed the House bill ap-
propriating $4,000 toward the Virginia
State building at St.Louis. Senator Nee
Iell of the State Board Of Fisheries, made
a speech in favor of the Jordan bill, while
Messrs. Stands, Gunter and Gold yigor-
ously opposed it.