The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1905-10-27

changed the waste TO land of plenty, to one OF
wonderful PRODUCTIONS source OF wealth to the
possessors of revenue to State and of pride to
our citizens and, through Indifference on the part
of the enlightened, through prejudice on the part
of the ignorant, through greed and improvidence
natural to the reaper from the common property.
and through peanut-polttics on the part of our
Lawmakers, we have allowed that property
found teeming in plenty to become a waste,
burden upon the State and a source OF shame to
our enterprising and public spirited people.
Born In an oyster district, with an inherent
fondness for the water and all sports connected
Herewith, / early in life became associated with
the oyster. caught oysters with the implements
furnished by God long before 1 was physically
able to manipulate the tools furnished by man.
Diving from canoe and bringing oysters from
the bottom is one of the first sports in which re-
member engaging At the early age of Is re-
ceived from my father the first lecture upon the
possibilities of oyster culture My father was a
land owner in Queen Annes County, Maryland.
Our residence was on the mainland and he owned
farm on what is generally known as Wye Island,
sometimes called Papa's and often Chew's Island.
For bis convenience he established rope ferry
for conveying teams to and fro across the river;
on the mainland side of the river the bottom near
the shore was soft and when the tide was low
teams would mire. To prevent this he purchased
vessel load of shells. probably $500 bushels, and
had them placed over the soft bottom. This was
done in the month OF June. In the early part of
thefollowing fall he and were waiting for the
scow on the mainland side of the river. The tide
being very low the shell were all bare To amnse
myself while waiting alighted from the carriage
and began throwing shells out in the river.
found that every shell picked up was literally
covered with small oysters, and carried several
to my father, and this occasioned the lecture to
which have referred.
Since that time have been close observer of
the oyster. have caught them with every de-
vice known to the trade. was 10years in COM
mand of one of the Oyster Police boats. have
planted oysters, and have planted shell and
raised oysters. For 80 years of my life have had
every opportunity to study a question that has
always interested me. have been an advocate of
oyster culture since my father first spoke to me of
its possibilities, and yet have in the past been
opposed to what is known as the Hannah bill.
My opposition am happy to say was not through
prejudice, for prejudice is begotten of an ignor
ance that refuses enlightenment. Ny opposition
was occasioned by Misrepresentation of the pro.
a knowledge 1 now know they did not possess.
In 1902 was able to copy of the bill, and
its provisions were a revelation to me, and then
and there determined to make every effort within
my humble power to have placed upon the Stat
ute Books of Maryland the Hannah oyster law.
With knowledge gained by 20 years experience,
do here declare that the most extravagant
claims. by the most enthusiastic advocates of
All. IL I:.-u:A
possibilities OF oyster culture under the provision
of this measure failure to realize the prophesies
OF the friends of oyster culture in Maryland, can
only be occasioned by lack of enterprise on the
part of those to whom the privileges nave been
reserved. namely. the residents of the State of
Maryland.
have no doubt but it is known to many OF you
that we have planting law that permits citizen
Of this State to take up acres of bottom for the
purpose of oyster culture. knowing this. you no
doubt think. that If were sincere in what am
telling you. / would now be engaged in oyster
culture. The reason l am not engaged in the
business under the existing law ia because. while
have the right to cultivate oysters, everybody
else has the right to come and take them such
was the case when l was resident OF Queen
Anne's. since that time one of the most radical
opponent of oyster culture. now occupying q
seat in the State Senate has had the 8 acre bill
amended that it ia criminal offence to take up
auy part of q natural rock. natural rock
according to his construction. is any place where
oysters have grown in the memory of the Oldest
living resident. this same honorable gentleman
talking to me about the Hsman oyster bill. said
he opposed every feature of it, but the clause he
mostly objected to. the one that proposed
with the shells that every one should know was
the natural clutch of the oyster and should be re
turned to the bottoms. have read the bill until
my eyes have become sore. but have failed to find
any such clause. and will bet dollars to dough-
nuts he has never read the BILL and strike out the
title he could never guess the author.
In conclusion want to say that Mr.. Haman has
truly diagnosed the trouble with the oyster, and
has prescribed remedy so searching In its effects
that every branch. yes every fbre of the oyster
industry will be invgorated. and the oyster will
assume the prominent place In Maryland's history
to which it Is entitled and should the next Legis-
lature meet. pass the Haman Oyster aud Good
promote the welfare of the State and for the relief
Of the taxpayers than all the Legislatures that
have convened in the last twenty years.
After numerous questions had
been asked and answered on the
subject of oyster culture and the
features of the bills the follow
ing resolution was unanimously
adopted:
Resolved That this club indorse the plan of
leasing the barren bottoms of the Chesapeake bay
and its tributaries and applying the revenues so
derived to road building. as contained in the pro-
visions of the Haman Oyster and Good Roads
bills; and. second. that legislation along the
essential lines OF these bills should be adopted
by the Legislature Of Maryland.
Messrs. Biles, Thompson and
Maxwell were appointed a CON-
mittee on inspection of premises
and an adjournment was taken for
dinner.
The dinner was fully enjoyed by
all present and left nothing to be
desired, showing that the hostess
and her assistants were capable of
supplying a bounteous feast, most
tastefully served.
After viewing the premises, the
club reassembled and the com.
mit.ee reported having noted IS OF
On fnno Of how Il, tho ha,x