Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1904-12-02
FISH And OYSTER NOTES.

ton our first page will also De found fish and
DIR. Geo. Ii. Oliver, of Irvingtop.
recently purchased half of the
interest of Fred l.. Wagner, deceased.
In the Carriers Greek Fish Guano Co.
The "oyster scald" is taking the
place of the "oyster roast in some
places 1t is steaming the oysters
with scalding water In pot hung over
big lire place, stove or fire made in
the open.
Capt. j. Edwin Bussells, of Irving
ton, prominent menbaden fisher.
has bought Capt. Bob Shows inter-
est IN the Snow -Fallin Guano and Oil
Co, at Mia, Northumberland county.
Captain Bussells will fish their
steamer, VIM. s. Brusstar, next
season.
Fully two-thirds of the oysters
disposed of in the Norfolk market
last week during the rush came from
around Chiucoteague, as the supply
from James river was short and the
quality from that river very poor.
The quality of the seaside oysters
has improved greatly of late. IF
we had to depend upon the James
river for our supply" said Norfolk
packer, eve would have to close up.n
There has been general complaint
this season regarding the oysters
taken from James river. tits in that
body of water that the oyster police
claim the depredations have been
going on and which has not only
caused the bivalves to deteriorste in
quality, but the supply has become
SO low that dealers have bad few of
the Jsmes river oysters to dispose of.
Inspector, Segar, of Middiesex, while
out examining oysters on October
10Th, fined one Westly Jackson, of
gloucester, oystering near the mouth
OF the river. His oysters being so
much under the law, the Inspector
refused to accept smaller fine than
$25 Jackson thinking the fine too
heavy refused to pay, whereupon he
was arrested, taken in Mr.. Segar's
boat and brought to Locklies and
told to appear at Saluda, November
2Sth, as he wanted time to employ a
lawyer. Promptly on the 2Sth In
spector Segar appeared at Salude
with Hon. j. n. Stubs. After the
argument between Commonwealth
Attorney L. G. Jones and Hon. J.
n. Stubs had lasted about three
hours as to whether his license
would De revoked in case of convIc-
ton, Mr.. Stubs finally persuaded
the inspector to ask the Judge to
dismiss the case, as be would see
that jackson paid the fine and all
cost.
DO the people of Westmorelsnd
and King George propose to submit
to hagrant and destructive lawless-
ness-'awlessness not only winked at
and encouraged by State officials,
but for which it is said they issue
recellpted license, for which they
receive revenue? This question is
put IN all seriousness and earnestness.
and we propose to ask Judge Wright
and Commonwealth's Attorney @. c.
Baker, of Westmoreland, and Judge
Mason and Commonwealth Attor-
ney w. A, Rose, to put the matter to
the test in their respective courts by
calling the attention of the grand
lurles In each of the counties TO
the lawlessness that is publicly
carried on In the Potomac river on
the water lines of the counties
named. There is no doubt that the
bottoms are being scraped here of
every oyster and every shell on these
bottoms and carried and sold in other
oyster producing sections. 1t is a
rare occurrence to see q bushel of
oysters large enough for table use on
any OF the boats we see at our land.
ings. A vessel can be loaded quickly
with the shells and the spawn at
tached to them, and these quickly
salaole at remunerative prices, the
attention of the dredgers is directed
to planting grounds and not to pack
ing houses. We called the attention
OF the Board of Fisheries and of
Governor Mon tague to the fact that
these oystersmen claim that they paw
their inspectors for immunity from
arrest for unlawful dredging, but
have heard nothing from them, either
denying or affirming their approval
OF this lawlessness. This
paper had time and again declared
Its position as to lawlessness. The
time has arrived now when lawless-
ness should be stamped out. To tell
the truth we do not remember to
have seen the time when a bad law
accomplished any good or noble pur.
pose. We do not believe in obeying
the law that We think good and defy.
ing the law that we think bad, but
in obeying all laws, because we are
self-respecting citizens, who know
that any kind of lawlessness weakens
our system of laws, and brings our
courts and communities into disre-
pute. The legislature should be
held responsible for both good and
bad laws, and if law works injustice
aud retards prosperity the only way
it can be brought home to them and
the burden laid on their shoulders,
IS by Its strict enforcement.-Colonial
Beach Pr0Cress.