Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1904-03-11
OYSTERS AND GOOD ROADS

Among the important bills now awaiting
the action OF the Legislature, none have
more practical bearing upon the welfare Of
the State than the Oyster and Road bills pre-
pared by MIR. Haman. The first has for il
object the extension Of oyster. culture 10 the
Chesapeake Bay by leasing the barren bot.
toms for that purpose, at q moderate rental /;
while the second proposes TO expend the
revenue derived from the leases In the i'm
provement OF the public roads Of the State
apportioned TO the several counties accord,
log to the number of miles Of road main.
tained by them.
MIR. HAman has been agitating this sub
ject for number Of years, with patience and
ability worthy of all praise Much as those
who from the first understood and favored
the scheme may have chafed under what
seemed senseless delay, 1t is perhaps best,
after all, docking TO permanent and sub.
stantial results) that the delay should have
occurred. For years these measures have
been subjected 10 criticism-much Of 1t ig
norAnt and prejudiced, some Of 1t practical
and valuabe-and advantage has been taken
Of It 10 correct those provisions Of the bills
In their original form which excited the fears
of particular and local interests, tc perfect
and broaden the general purpose OF the
measures, and to demonstrate the fact that
without artificial culture our great oyster
industry was doomed TO extinction. Time
was need, too, to educate the inland sections
OF the State 70 understand that they have
real Interest 10 this great and prolific public
domain under the waters Of the bay, and
legal and equitable right 10 enjoy share OF
the benefits arising from the wise admins
tration OF 1t. The public interest in the sub
ject has grown steadily, guided by intelli'
gent and good natured discussion, and, out
side Of q few localities, public opinion lie
10 day firmly established 10 favor Of these
measures Their provisions are fair to all
sections and oil interests 10 the State, the
danger OF monopoly is amply provided
against, the failure TO realize all the benefits
which 1t seems reasonable to expect from
them will bring no injury to any one and
entail no expense upon the State.
On the other hand, If the scheme is sue.
cesslul, as there is every reason To believe II
will be, a great industry will arise 10 the
place Of waning one; the number Of our
wage earners will be largely increased bust
ness Of every kind will be stimulated and
our farmers will realize, In diminished taxes
and good roads, a benefit which Is incalcula
Bile under existing conditions. The ability
10 haul produce at all times will be direct
money advAntage-equal, according to Pro
fessor jerks, TO fifteen dollars per horse per
year-while the social isolation Of the coun.
try will become thing Of the past. These
results will not, Of course, be accomplished
10 dsy-substantial benefits take time for
their upbuilding-but the Oldest Of US will
reap some of their fruits and the younger
members OF the community will enjoy full
and profitable harvest.
We commend these bills 10 our represen
tatives at Annapolis, believing that they are
wise measures, and that the sentiment of the
county gives them hearty approval.