Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1907-11-15
IRvINGTON. VIRGINIA. FRIDAY NOVEMBER IS, 1907

VIC 0NNNN- anu nave Nu W lllic
that if she will give them only a just
amount of funds to protect and develop
the business in a business way when
their time is up the States oyster in
terests will be in such fiourishing con-
dition that nothing but an adverse dis
pensation of Providence will ever stop
its progress, and the incoming Boards
will have to get up and hustle to keep
in the ring. Don't you see, gentlemen
of the LEGISLATURE, tfat on this
Board of Fisheries to large extent
will depend the future welfare of Vir-
ginia's great asset, the oyster in
dustry?
Now for the indirect tax Cor reyenue)
derived from The oyster industry. One
of the most important things to take
into consideration is the increase in the
value of real estate aod personal prop
erty bordering on Tidewater Virginia,
that is influenced directly by the oyster
industry. 1t is-an undeniable fact that
the nearer you get to the oyster rocks
the more assessment is put on real
estate and personal property, and the
more of it to put it on, because of the
thick settlements.
Take Irvington for a sample (and she
is only fair one): Real estate here is
assessed at from $1OO to $500 per acre;
one-half mile up the road (while still in
Irvington) the assessment is $40
per acre. How do you account for
that? Why, it proves that the oyster
rocks are the cause of the extra assess
ment. Take away the oyster rocks and
Irvington land would not bear an assess
ment of So per acre.
This is but a fair sample of what you
will find all over Tidewater. And this
tax brings in yearly hundreds Of thous-
ands Of dollars TO the Golfers of the
State, and is spread all over the State
to improve it. So you see the indirect
tax frofn TIE oyster industry helps 10
develop The whole State, and were Vir-
ginia 10 give the Beard of Fisheries
EVERY CENT collected direct from
the industry TO foster and develop the
business, she would grow richer from the
business. How? The wealth of an in
dividual is known by the amount of
property that he possesses. The wealth
ola state is also known by the wealth
and prosperity Of her citizens.
Now these oyster rocks are a perma-
nent thing if you care to make them so.
You can never deplete them if the law
is enforced. Your coal, gold, silver
and iron mines will become depleted;
your oyster rock may never. How can
we keep them from becoming depleted?
Protect them. How? BY enforcing the
law and reseeding the rocks when they
need it-put fertilizer on. You will
sow peas and clover to turn in and don't
get any direct returns at the time, dc
you? Well, sow something on your
oyster fields, like you do your farm
lands and fertilize them with shells,
inspectors, gasoline boats, etc. Don't
be afraid to spread it on deep, you won't
hurt them. Don't forget to put up q
good high fence, nine rails and rider,
for the no-fence law amt much use or
the oyster rocks.
Try spending money on them fol
while and see the results.
Well you say chow about more law?'
Great Scott - you don't allow money
enough to enforce the present laws,
and how in the name of common sense
can you enforce more laws without the
money What is the use of putting in
one hundred bushels of wheat when we
have not the facilities to harvest fifty ?
We have all the laws that we can stag
ger under, unless you give us more
money to enforce them. Give us
a reasonable amount of money.
amend the present laws by making
them more stringent on violators, and
give your managers (the Board of Fish
eries)a free hand, and one of Virginia IS
creates tassets, the oyster industry, will
soon bloom like rose.