The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-19
HERE AND THERE
IN LEGISLATURE
Witty Speeches at Banquet to
Visitors Held Last Night at
Jefferson Hotel.
OYSTER LAWS AGREED ON
Copies Of Measures to Be Sub
mitted to Assemblies Of Nir-
ginia and Maryland.

TITO mention each speaker at the
banquet given last night at the
Jefferson Hotel in honor Of q. the the
would be q difficult task. Suf-
flee 1t to say that from the time
there was one continual round OF mer-
riment The supper was sumptuous,
consisting OF delcacies too numerous
to name. but the fun did not coih l ,,,a',
and the cigars and coffee served.
Colonel Cation. of Alexandria. acted
as toastmaster, and though the colonel
serve in that capacity, he, carried OH
the honors likesan old hand.
Speeches Delivered.
The first speaker of the evening was
Governor Swanson, who Responded 70
the toast Of MARYLAND ana a~e Wirglh'h a.
tervals elected great applause, ana
when the doors of the banquet hali
were thrown open and the STRAINS strains Oh 5n
was almost unbounded enthusiasm.
Senator Linthivum. Of MARYLAND FOL foi.
lowed Governor swanson, ,r ana I bis
talk. Mr.. Linthicum referred to the .,l
friendly relations existing between the
two States. and to the hospitality oil
~
Senator r' Lewis II. Maehen. of Virginia,
Mr. Ben p. Owen, secretary to the
Governor. and Delegate Carr. OF May ~
the visit Of the Virginia delegation to
MARYLAND, Mr.. Machen kept the ban.
dueters In roar of laughter. He was
frequently Interrupted by questions;
and his answers. always witty, caused
much merriment.
Oysters and Pcrsinmons.
Mr.. Owens speech was entirely along
political lines. He urged the Legisla,,
lure to drop the Oyster question ana
take moro notice of the one important
.persimmon" business. which was the
seven trees OF this variety entitled a
citizen to seat in the House. and
twcnty-nine TO a seat in the. Senate.
Delegate Carr caused much laughter
by his wittcisni. lie said he was en-
tirely unprepared. and did not know
he was to be called upon to speak. but
a Maryland member Of the commission
was heard to remark in stentorian
whisper that he had read copy OF
the speech.
Ex-speaker Cardwell. OF the House
responded to toast to the third house
and his humor kept the table highly
amused.
Delegate Moses Greene was also call
ed upon to speak, and to explain why
certain copies of an important docu-
ment were lost when he was visiting
the Maryland delegation. Mr.. Greene
swore that he was cold water man.
and the investigation was not pressed
Mr.. w. New Lee, chairman of the
Board of Fisheries. responded to a
toast as admiral OF the navy There
at one time. but these gentlemen. ow.
Ing TO spirit of extreme modesty,
did not respond.
John A. Saunders, of Middlesex, TO enc
the banquet, but in graceful speech
which brought fourth enthusiastic ap
honor over to the lieutenant governor
who arose and In few remarks,
brought the speaking to close.
There was much concentrating ant
hotel at the conclusion of the supper
and at about IL oelock every one
started for home. The Maryland dele
cation will leave at IL o'clock to-day
Oyster Roust Yesterday.
Under the command of Captain b
G. pogsett. State police boat, the Com
1nodore Maury," was moored at the
Commodore Maury is a trim little craft
and quite formidable one, carrying
as she does. long range rifle for
cannon forward
Her mission to Richmond, however
was most peaceful. and was In obedi
Fisheries. Her cargo was about fit
bushels of fresh Rappallannock oyster
which weDe served in various styles t.
the Underwater legislators. the Mary
friends. there being present about 30
people. The dock was strewn witt
the shells of the bivales, and late ii
the evening Captain Doggett said =
was Just getting his dining-roon
straight from the effects of the feas,
The Commodore Maury sails this morn
ing, back to her cost in the Chesa-
peake Bay to haunt the footsteps o
tho oyster pirates.
Draft of Proposed Laws.
me subcommittee appointed by tn
Joint. commission of the Maryland an
Virginia Legislature to confer In re
gard to the oyster laws governing TIL
Potomac, River. met yesterday morn
which 1t submitted to the Joint com
mission The latter Immediately go
down to work, and by 1880 o'clock las
lowing important bills. which will b
introduced a tonce In the two stat
Assemblies. Senator Walker will thi
Senate and Delegate Roosevelt Pag
in the House. The commission lost n
time in transacting business. and frol
of adjournment: the members wer,
hard at 1t. offering many amend
ments to the report brought in b
the subcommittee, and finally adopt
ing the two laws that follow:
Gull Law for Potomac River.
Section 1. BE 1t enacted by the Ger
rrnl Assembly, that NIL oysters take
from any natural rocks, beds or shon1
in the waters of the Potomac Rive
shall he cullcd on their natural rock
beds or shoals ns taken, aud oyster
whose shells measure less thnn two an
one-hnlf inches in length. measurin
from hinge to mouth, and 5nll shell
shnll he Included in said cullinE nm
replaced upon said rocks, beds q
khonls; provided, Tint oysters ono
passed from the cutler less than til
prohibited size, ana nlI shells shall I
considered as not hnvlnE been Guile
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