Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1904-01-08
OYSTER VIEWS OF EXCHANGES,

The Nescs rejoices with Tidewater
over the defeat of this measure. Bat
that the time has come for our PEG.
pie to get together and prepare some
intelligent, properly safeguarded and
scientific measure for the readjust-
ment OF the Baylor lines is now an
parer A-Northern Meek Nescs.
The CITIZEN and PROGRESS are
each friendly to the candidacy of
Senator Martin. But they see the
oyster question from different view
points. The CITIZEN is opposed to
leasing the depleted oyster bottoms,
and conjures up calamity to oyster.
men, and a setback to the oyster in
dustry, and hindrance to Tidewater
prosperity. On the other hand the
Progress believes that the success of
this measure will be the salvation of
the oyster industry, be beneficial to
the entire State and awaken prosper
ity n the Underwater counties as
nothing has before done. But these
papers are a unit in their con victions
that this economic question has no
bearing on the merits of the Senate
rial oontest.-Poton,ac Progress.
1t has been asserted that the fail
uro of the General Assembly TO
enact oyster legislation at this ses-
sion was a victory for the tongmen.
IL by that is meant that the tong
men defeated the attempt to enact
oyster legislation, the assertion is
wide Of the mark.
Responsibility for the failure of
the General Assembly to pass RENE
dial oyster Legislation at this session
rests squarely upon the special COM
mittee named 10 examine the oyster
bottoms in the Baylor Survey and
report to the General Assembly its
findings and make recommendation
based thereon.
The committee in question made
the examination, reported to the
General Assembly and stood spop-
sor for q bill that was manifestly
wide opsn, msnifestly dangerous,
and that manifestly could not pass
upon its merits. Warned of this
in time, the committee persisted in
pushing the bill and with the aid
of an intrusive lobby, it passed the
House. The Senate would not stand
tor the measure and it has gone
back to committee and, no doubt, to
its final and lasting eleep.-Norfolk
Viryinian Pilot.
In its last issue the Enterprise ex-
pressed the belief that the Senate of
Virginia, with its reputation for con-
servatism and intelligent action,
could not concur with the House in
the passage of the iniquitous measure,
known as the Jordan Oyster Bill,
and it is gratifying to us to be able
to rejoice with the people of Tidewa-
ter that the bill was defeated. That
it was great victory in the interest
of right and justice there is no ques-
ton, but amid our rejoicipgs it is
well for US to remember, that the
few who by their earnest and active
efforts made it possible need some
thing more than congratulations if
we would have them perpetuate for
the most part the victory which they
have gained for us. In word, those
who honestly, perhaps, but ignorant
ly believe "there are millions in the
oyster industry" and that other class
who are backing them, because they
wish to appropriate to their own
private use "the natural beds, rocks
and shoals" have not abandoned the
fight. That contest will doubtless
be renewed during the session which
begins January 18th, and prompt
action on the part of our people
therefore, is necessary. The fact
that the Senate declared that the
principle of the Jordan bill was
right and defeated it, not on its
merits, but because of defects appar-
emit on the face of it, emphasizes the
necessity of the people of Underwater
getting together and acting as
promptly as possible. In what way
we can best prepare ourselves to make
the fight is another question. One
thing, at least, seems certain-that
concessions will have to be made by
as, and to that end another survey
has beet suggested as the best means
of satisfying the demands of those
remote from Underwater. Whether
or not this suggestion is good one,
we are not prepared to say, but if
changes must be made in our oyster
laws, there can be no question that
the step in that direction should be
made by the people of Tidewatcr.
The day of opposing all oyster legis-
lation has passed. We must act ifl
we would not have the wild and Wis
ionary schemes Of others prevail to
the detriment, not only of those en-
gagged in the oyster industry, but of
all of the people of Virginia.
snla Entsrprise.
THE JORDAN BILL. i
Little remains to be added to what
we have already said of that measure.
Under no circumstances should it be
enacted into Law until so amended as
to provide: /
l. For commission of sufficient lF |
long life to lease the unproductive
bottoms intelligently. 4
2. For the ratification Of leases nv |
the General Assembly or the right !