The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1905-11-24
EASTERN SHORE SENTIMENT
CHANGES.

EASTERN SHORE SENTIMENT
CHANGES.
The friends of the Hannah Oyster
bill are receiving much encourage
ment from reports that indicate a
change of feeling on the Eastern
Shore. As is we'll known, the bitter
est opposition to this measure has
come from the localities which will
be most benefited by the salutary
effects of the law. This is largely
due to the fact that the oyster dredg-
ers are an ignorant class who have
been manipulated to suit the selfish
ends of the politicians of both par
ties. In the meantime, the oyster in
dustry has each year been going to a
lower ebb, until there is now practi-
cally nothing left out of which those
who have followed this industry can
make a living.
The most intense opposition has
come from the oystermen who live IN
the vicinity of the Choptank. This
has been regarded as the most valu-
able planting grounds, and the resi-
dents have guarded its waters with
a selfish interest, which has resulted
in the practical extinction of the
oyster.
A recent article from Cambridge,
that appeared in the Baltimore
American, says that the people are
no longer cbjecting to leasing out the
oyster grounds of the bay, both bar
rem and exhausted natural beds, but
they do not wish n law that will ap-
ply to the rivers. They will not OBJ
ject to having dredging stopped in
the Choptank river; in face, this is
believed to be absolutely necessary.
Never was there such a catch OF
spat in these waters as has been the
case this year. If the last legislature
had prohibited dredging in the Chop
tank, next year, all the oystermen
agree, there would have been hun
dreds of thousands Of bushels oil
marketable oysters in these waters,
which are now being destroyed by
the dredgers, in that they are de.
stroyed by being scraped and han,
died so much and mud covered. A
catch of young growth such as oc,
Cured last summer may not occur
again in many years. But with the
river closed to dredging tits conceded
that in two years, tongers, as many
as may work, will be able to earn at
least So per day each good working
day"
The supporters Of the Hannah bill
have always commended that the
spirit of selhshness seems to actuate
every motive or desire of the opposi.
ton. In fact, there is feeling that
the Chesapeake bay is tue private
grounds of the watermen, and when
the other residents of the State seek
some portion of the benefit that
should accrue from this common
property of all its citizens, the act is
regarded as an intrusion and resent.
ed accordingly.
AS an example of this, the article
above referred to makes the sugges.
ton that none but bona fde resi-
dents of the counties bordering on
the Choptank in Dorchester, Talbot
and Caroline be allowed to have a
longing license, or to employ any
other than bona fde residents to
work for them. "With such law
these counties can we'll afford to re.
lease the State from any official pro-
lection and protect themselves. AL
agree that this will be a most excel
lent law, that present conditions de-
mand it, and that in a few years the
source of wealth derived will be enor.
NOUS" Fortunately the legislature
that will pass the proposed law will
be representative one from all sec
tions of the State. Its members will
rebuke such selfshness by enacting a
law which will permit those who
cannot be otherwise benefited to be
able to share in the annual rentals o.
these beds that will go towards
swelling the road fund.