Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-02-28

SVNh S~0NSS W SSNdpliSn q new Gull line,
and suggested that it run from Colo
NAL Beach, on the Virginia side, straight
acre ) TO Swami Point on the MARYLAND
shore. The Virginia Board is heartily
in favor of immediate legislation for
the protection of the oysters of the Po-
tomac river. This board has been en-
deavoring for years to bring about an
understanding between the two States
that would insure legislation demanded
by the industry if it is to thrive. and if
the oyster is to be perpetuated in those
waters In their last annual report Mr..
Lee urged three important essentia Is
for the preservation of the Potomac
river oyster and stated that the pres
ent session Of the Legislature is the
time IN which these laws should be en-
acted. The three points upon which
emphasis was laid were: Establishment
of a seed line; limiting the season from
January to May Is, and prohibiting
the taking of oysters in any other
manner than by scrapes and longs"
"The Tidewater delegation in the
House entertained the Maryland Oys-
ter Commission, as well as their fellow
lawmakers with an oyster roast Mon
day evening at the footof Eighteenth
Street. The officers and pages of the
House were also guests of the occasion. -
Aftertheir two days labors were over,
the evening and night before the de-
parture of the Marylanders, the latter
gave luncheon at the Jefferson to
their hosts, followed by a banquet at
night to the Maryland visitors. To
mention each speaker at the banquet
would be difficult task. Suffice it to
say that from the time the first course
was laid until the last there was one
continual round of merriment. The
supper was sumptuous, consisting of
delicacies too numerous to name, but
the fun did not commence until the
plates had been cleared away and the
cigars and coffee served. Colonel Ca
ton, of Alexandria, acted as toastmas-
ter, and though the colonel claims that
this is his first attempt to serve in
that capacity, he carried off the honors
like an, old hand. The first speaker of
the evening was Governor Swanson.
who responded to the toast of "Mary-
land and Virginia" The Governors
remarks at frequent intervals elected
great applause, and when the doors of
the banquet hall were thrown open and
the strains of Maryland, My Mary
land" floated in from the jefferson
Orchestra, there was almost unbounded
enthusiasm. Senator Linthicum. of
Maryland, followed Governor Swanson.
and was warmly applauded all through
his talk. Mr.. Linthicum referred to the
friendly relations existing between the
two States, to the hospitality of the
Virginians to the visitors, and said the
highest compliment that could have
been paid him and his people was when
addressing the joint conference Chair
man Lee declared he was so anxious to
execute the laws in the Potomac that
he would be willing to trust offending
Virginians in the hands of MARYLAND
justices and courts. The speaker re-
turned the compliment now in like vein
and said that Commander Howard had
told them to rely upon any recommen-
dations to be made by the Virginia
Boards chairman. Mr.. Lee was called
to his feet and responded to the toast.
Executing the laws on the Potomac. &"
Bright speeches followed by these gen.
tlemen before the banquet dispersed at
midnight: Senators Mulbern and
Brashears and Delegates Quinn and
Carr, Of Maryland; Senator Saunders.
ex-senator Machen, ex-Speaker Card
well, Ben. p. Owen Governor Secre-
tary), Delegate Green and Secretary
S. Wilkins Matthews. Lieut-Governor
Ellyson closed with a benediction.