Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1906-02-03
Wet nv for the Rev Bill

The forces attacking the Rev crab
bill adopted new tactics t, day when
an effort was made to hold up the bill
for the fourth time by having the
measure recommitted. The new plan
of campaign was for the purpose of
transferring the measure to the fl
nance committee.
The Rev men were advised that
the crab-packing interests were will
ing to make a liberal concession in
the form of taxation. It was suggest
ed that the crab packers would ac-
cept measure imposing a tax
amounting TO 500. The crab-pack-
ers have been paying less than SO a
year.
The leadership Of the forces in the
legislature aligned against the Rev
bill passed from Delegate Harry r.
Houston, of Elizabeth City county, 20
Senator Saxon w. Holt, of Newport
News, to-day by mutual consent. Sen
ator Holt expressed himself this
morning OF being confident Of defeat
ing the Rev bill Mr.. Houston made
a somewhat remarkable record for a
new member in leading the fight on
the measure. 1t was the first bill in
troduccd i'm the house at this session,
the first fayorably reported by COM
mi,tee, the first measure recommitted
and the first bill attacked on the floor
OF the house. The new member from
Elizabeth City county held it up twice
after the bill reached the calendar, in
ducing the house to pass it by until
to-day, when the measure came up
on a special order.
Delegate j. NJ. Lewis, of Essex,
made the initial speech for The Rev
bill. He declared that the measure
was a meritorious one and would ben
eft practically the whole Tidewater
section. The interests opposing 1t
were comparatively small.
Mr.. Gaines, of Norfolk, spoke for
the bill. He argued that the packing
plant interests, controlled by few
persons, alone would suffer if the bill
passed. Replying to the argument
that a vast number of persons would
be thrown out of employment, he
gave some statistics. The wages paid
to male employees by the crab mag
mates, he said, range from SIS to $50
month, while the women are paid for
their labor from s. To S a month. The
men who performed the hardest labor
he said, were paid SIS. The men who
owned the nets with which the crabs
were taken got the $50. He said he
had been informed chat only about
400 men and women were given en-
ployment at the Hampton plant, the
largest in the world
Mr.. Byrd followed 1Ir. Gaines. lie
offered an amendment TO the Rev
bill, the effect Of which is to impose a
tax upon the crab-packers' fishing
boats. This tax would enable the
State to derive annually acout 5000 Of
revenue from this source, Mr.. Byrd
said, where heretofore the sum Of GU
ly 3ll has been paid.
Mr.. Rev said the supporters of the
crab bill would willingly accept the
amendment.
"The developments of the last few
minutes" said Mr.. Churchman, rising,
convince me that Che proper course
to take in this matter is to refer the
subject to the finance committee for a
proper adjustment Of taxation"
Mr.. Rev objected 81 was inform
ed several days ago, D." he said, that
the opposition intended to resort to
dilatory tactics"
Mr.. Churchman denied that he had
any knowledge Of a deliberate inten-
ton to employ dilatory tactics.
Mr.. Fuller protested against the
proposition to recommit the Rev bill
to the finance committee. He insist
cd in a vigorous speech that twas the
luty OF the house To dispose of the bill
to-day.
4 motion to recommit the bill was
then offered and defeated. The qucs-
ton ON the amendment was put and
the amendment was adopted. This
was followed by d motion to advance
Che measure to its hnal reading and
enerossment, which was adopted 10y
an overwhelming vote. This means
practically the passage of the bill
The "antis" made but feeble fight
for the defeat of the bin after failing
10 side-track it. The Rev bill pro
vides for a "closed season. from No
vember 1 to April /, during which
time no crabs may be taken from the
water except by Che small fishers.-
News-Leader Jan 81.