Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-03-06
Communicated
''AUNTY SPEC"
CONDESCENDS.


In the issue of the Northern NecL
News of February 2Sth find that will
the exception of one article, the type
matter on the first and fourth pages
are devoted entirely to articles copied
from the Southside Sentinel against the
Board of Fisheries, its Chairman, oyster
laws, the Legislature and the Governor
of the State, but particularly agains;
Chairman Lee. There are also six edi-
torials, all abuse of the Governor, Gen
eral Assembly, Board of Fisheries, but
particularly of Chairman Lee. who is ac-
cused of being the whole shooting match
and of having more sense than all OF
the others. There is also one commu-
nication clipped from the Urbanna Sen
tinel of a libelous character against
Mr.. Lees personal and Christian char
acter. And its peroration is a commu-
nication from one who signs himself
"Oysterman" ("carpetbagger" would
have been more appropriately who a
short while ago was very prominent in
an oystermen's organization, its object
the preservation of the oyster rocks;
who was also recently defeated aspi-
rant for an Office and of whom it is re-
ported that he told the voters if they
would elect him, that he would not let
their cases come up for violating the
oyster laws, and they would not have
any fines to pay. 1t has been stated
that he was opposed to the Inspector in
his section putting fines on violators
because Of the fact that he could not
collect what the violators owed him for
work, as the State and inspectors got
all of their money. To show how alb
surd his statement is will give his
figures on the "Maury's" trip to Rich
mond some weeks ago.
Fifty bushels of oysters, about s 30 90
Five gallons wh'skey. mot
very good 3 90
Expenses of the Maury on
trip, one week, $50 90
Now he explains that the whskey was
purchased in Norfolk at 81 per gallon,
when the Internal Revenue is 81. 10 per
gallon, so suppose the people of Nor
folk gave them ten cents on the gallon
to take the stuff out of that city, or
possibly they bought it of some
enemy of the oyster people who wanted
to kill the Legislature so they
could not pass the bill to protect the
oyster rocks for the poor oystermen,
and if it costs over $500 to run a police
boat for one week, think the Board
needs more appropriation.
Now | simply state this to show the
public to what straits this crowd has
got to when they have to go down into
the filth and mire to fling mud at Mr..
Lee.
Now, as Mr.. Lee is attending to
his official duties and as he has
neither time nor inclination to fool
over mud-turtles and cells and as
he is getting thanks to the News
and SentineD somewhat prominent in
the State at large, he has to be very
particular what sort of company he
keeps, and as the old lady has not had
a skirmish for some time, "Come breth-
rem, let us reason together"
On the first page of the News is an
editorial clipped from the Virginian-
Pilot, which think is very applicable
to the News. He says:
1.-The danger lies in those newspapers
which know little of the question, try
ing TO instruct interior legislators who
know less. 1t is clear case of the
blind attempting to lead the blind, of
ignorance essaying toeducate the isno-
rant"
Out of your own paper you are con-
demned.
The News editorial claims that
Chairman Lee is trying to legislate
against the planter and claims that
Richmond, Westmoreland and Northum-
berland counties hold one fourth ripa-
rian rights. This being the case
Chairman Lee should be COM
mended in having this law abolished
for il those counties hold one fourth
riparian rights, it is class Legislation
pure and simple and discrimination
against Lancaster, Essex, Middlesex
and the other property holders in the
Tidewater counties. Now the fact is,
those riparian owners hold their one
fourth for all time, and not even so
GREAT one as you make Mr.. Lee
can ever take it away from. them.
1t is already fixed to them. Also
calls the "Sale bill" unconstitutional
and WIDELY damnable." You fellows
seem to be trying to make it damnable
all right, but if it is unconstitutional
why howl so much about it, let her go
and after the legislature adjourns wipe
her out and put Chairman Lee and the
Board of Fisheries and the oyster rocks
beds and shoals out of business. Bet
ter be careful or the 'dear public
might think that you are intimating that
they are fools.
The idea of Senator Keezel's not
knowing what his bill was, las the
News claims) if the Board of Fisheries
was the father of it, when it is wei
known that the Senator is one of the
most vigilant and valuable members Of
said board and helped suggest the chan
ges in the laws.
The News is still whining about thai
18th month in the last report of the
Board, which was the main charge o.
Congressman Jones ("WHO HAS Nc
CONTROL OF THE NEWS'O when h,
dabbled in legislative affairs. Well, wha
are you going to do about it? under
stand that there were several thousand
of dollarsof Septembermoney that cam,
into the Auditors Office after the Audito