The Washington times., 1905-09-17
OYSTER QUESTION
BASIS FOR BATTLE
Political Fighting Ground
in Maryland.
BOTH PARTIES RETIcENT
Yet Legislative Ticket Depends Upon
Stand Taken by Respective Con-
testants for Honors.

BALTIMORE, Sept. l5.-tor the hrst
time in years the oyster question will
not be an issue In the State campaign.
Not that ii has been settled, for 1t is
as much of problem now as ever. but
neither party Is disposed to commit it
self al this time. for fear II may serious
ly effect its vote in those sections in
which the views regarding its disposi-
ton are radically different.
Baltimore city and all of the western
Maryland counties favor the leasing of
the oyster beds, believing that only IN
this way can the industry be re-estab-
lished and bring n revenue to the State
The tidewater counties on the eastern
shore and in southern Maryland. where
the tongers and dredgers have from
time immemorial gained livelihood by
catching and disposing of the bivalve
and in which the oyster grounds are To-
Gated, are opposed to any planting law
which would deprive them of full con-
troll of the bottoms OF the Chesapeake
bay and its tributaries.
What Advocates Claim.
1t is claimed by the advocates OF a
leasing system that the yield is grad
uaily lessening. because OF a failure TO
repienish the depleted beds, which the
state has sought to protect at great
cost. and that eventually. unless n
remedy like that proposed IS applied. the
oyster must gradually disappear from
Maryland waters. As II is the quality
as well as the quantity Is deterioratine.
while the expense attending the guard
iansshlp las correspondingIy advanc-
ed. The point Is made that in New
York. Connecticut and Virginia, where
the leasing OF the beds has resulted In
decided advantage 20 the State, i'm
proved the industry and afforded the
planters handsome profit. the oyster
is thriving and that the Maryland pro-
duetion could be made TO pay equally
as well by adopting the same or a
similar system
The oystermen. on the other hand.
contend that the conditions here are en-
tirely different. While admitting the
yield TO be far from satisfactory. they
attribute that fact to a failure on the
part OF the State 20 properly enforce the
Gull law, and in preventing an en-
croachment on grounds that should be
protected during the closed season.
They suggest various remedies among
others being the proposition that the
state replenish the natural beds and
bars with shells, to which the spawn
can adhere. and then give the grounds a
rest for several years. Their objection
10 the leasing system is that IL must in
the END result in corporations obtain
Ing control OF the most productive fields
ana drive out OF business the oysternan
who now depends upon his catch for n
living They further claim the waters
In the State belong to the people and
should not be farmed out 20 private In
dividuais or corporations
Had Close Shave.
Until now the tidevater counties have
successfully resisted every attempt TO
enact any legislation which would de-
prive them OF control. BY logroHins and
other methods only too common to lecis-
lative bodies. they always managed
either TO kill the bin outrigh. or load
II down with amendments which render
ed IL imperative. The latter plan work
ed at the last session, but II was NOT
until the closing hours that the bill was
beaten. 1t was the closest shave the
oystermen ever had. Had II rot been
for the Senatorial fight. which LEFT sore
ness and a desire on the part of certain
lawmakers to get even with certain
people. fl is more than likely the mems
ure would have passed
The intention Is to push II again at
the coming session. and already the con-
tending forces are lining up for the
fray. But the politicians don't intend
TO take sides this time
Two years ago the Republicans put a
plank in their platform which read Ike
straddle. but leaned very much TO the
tidewnter counties. The object waS TO
= fTh xrf-
yet not seriously offend those on this
side OF the bay. The Democrats simply
advocated some experiment in oyster
culture. and let II go at that. AS all
the candidates of both parties I'm the
oyster districts declared against leasing
neither side gained anything. the Demo
Gratis. as heretofore. voting for their
nominees and the Republicans being
equally partisan.
In Baltimore city and county the SEN
timent was strong for planting. but in
the upper western Maryland counties
little or no interest was taken. where
! upon Il was proposed that all of the
revenue derived from the leasing Of the
beds should be applied to the better
I mont Of the ROADS. This brought these
/ into line. and hut Cor the break at An
napoils referred 70 the planting advo-
Gates would have won
/ The Republicans explain their failure
, TO refer to the oyster question this year
/ by stating that II is sectional one
! and must be settled on non-partIsar
lines. The fact is they feared to offend
either side appreheEding some crrect
/ on the amcEdmAnt vote IN case n,
! element ignored should ccel aggrley ed
/ For thc Sane reason K Is raoTe thar
I probable tho Democrats may also con
clude 10 eliminate any reference 10 O..
sters from their platform.
Applega-th's Candidacy.
1 There is one ardent advocate CT III,
oysternlons cause in the Eastern Shor,
J Vho IL seeking reelection and who. nae
he played wsir with h.s part . rso
ciates. might have avoided rough sid
! ding ard probable defeat. lie is S-na
tor Wiilia;.l -hpplcgarta, Ct Dorchester
| THIS count. should be Republican, b.
! when the Democrats arc united ans
provided with plenty OF cash the man
Gge TO win oct. Four years ago Apple.
| gs4rth was elected TO the senate ant
three d Dsmccrats and one Rcpubiic.ir
| srHt TO the house of Delegates. The,
was no division in Tho ranks then 4
the lcst State election. how ,rVr. Ail,
Applega-tlis scat was not II Nc. Ia
! L.. IL