The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-01

in every possible way.
State Should Purchase Quarries.
1t is respectfully suggested that
Quarries at suitable and convenient
points be purchased by the State, and
the long-term conyicts be required to
crush rock to be distributed to the
counties for road purposes free of
cost. 1t Is believed that the railroads
will haul the rock at nominal cost
In view of the benefits which perma-
nent highways will bring to their re-
spective lines and that with the mate
rial given and the help of the con-
victs furnished to the State, the coun-
ties can gradually construct perna-
nent highways. which will add to the
value of our lands. increase the con-
venience and pleasure of rural lite,
and keep our boys at home.
Oysters and Fish.
should create demand for pres
ent and future output. Stop agi-
tation and declare fixed policy,
having regard for interest of
State and of our fellow citizens
! engaged in the business. Fish
traps not to occupy more than
I half of stream.
The laws In reference to oysters and
| fish have engaged my attention for
| some years, and during my visits to
| an opportunity presented. have en-
/ deavored to gain information which
would aid me in looking after the In
/ terests of the State and its citizens en-
/ gagged in this industry, whether tong
ers, planters or fishermen. think II
/ will be admitted by all that the oyster
| beds are now well protected and the
! raids of depredators from other states
| entirely stopped. 1t Is also true that
l while in some localities oysters may
not be as plentiful as formerly, that
! during the seasons of 190S-1909 and
# fse9-19ie the supply of oysters mas
! haeu- areatAF-tA a8a-t4fe-d Szssa nd aaa
/ that many planters during the season
I first named did not take up their
I oysters. 1t seems to me, therefore,
! that an essential need of the industry
MS to take steps to create demand
4 which will enable las not only to dis
! pose- of what our natural rocks and
I nlanted. grounds are now producing.
| huf make desirable the leasing and
Il nianttng az the ground at the dis
! nosa1 Of the, State suitable for chat
| purpose. and which, II all could Re
/ leased, would add materially to our
4 income, .,,, ,,,.s
tian and the consequent uncertainty
attending it. do not tene to the grow ,sh
of the oyster and fish Na9stIles, az
1t seems to me that the Ssn.ashIa Ia
sembly should. as far as Sosstspie T. oe a.
Fl clare the fixed policy OF the s.ate ~
reference to these Important, matte. .
having regard not only Tor &,e ~.
Il the interests of the large number y,
our worthy citizens who are ensaSss
In the business.
Some regulation ought. to be made
in reference to the setting of traps,
fykes, wefrs and other fixed devices
in the mouths of our streams for the
purpose of catching fish. In some in-
stances the mouths of our rivers are
| so obstrucied as to prevent the Dish
from going up the streams. which u
q most important matter, especially II
the spawning season. ! think at Least
should be unobstructed: that Is, that
no device of any kind for the tax
ing of fish ought to be permitted C
be placed at a greater distance from
width of the stream
And in this connection I Suggest
the necessity for general laws pro,
| Tfdewater. Some OF our citizens have
been making efforts to stock these
streams with desirable fish. but a Few
men with nets aud seines are per-
mitted TO defeat their efforts.
Corporafionss Their Control and
Protection.
| The business Of this country Is nov
being done very largely by corpo-
rations And it is admitted. even bs
those who have some prejudict
| against these organizations. that com
| binations Of capital are necessary FOL
| to society. Railroads, express ant
steamboat companies are necessary
for transportation and convenience
telegraph and telephone companies
] power of business men and added t
: the comfort OF our wives and daugh
: ters; mining companies provide VI
: with fuel and ore and other things
! manufacturing and commercial CON
panfes produce and furnish articles o
!. necessity, comfort and luxury. beside
r building UP communities and fur
Z niShing markets for the production o
: our farms.
To accomplish the objects for whtcl
they are created many OF these cor
! porations are granted large powers
: such as the condemnation of land 70
$ which they have to be invested witt
/ the right of eminent domain and L
/ a certain extent. that IS. within GER
tain boundaries. every railroad com
: pany Is practically a monopoly, an,
: uncontrolled has the power to put u
! rates. make Determinations and re
4 quirements which are not for the bes
interests of the people. and 1t Is nee
-HessafY -that-sncterEs Misunderstanding
: guard the powers conferred and shoul'
. exercise reasonable powers Of contrc
I over the business and operations o
G public service corporations. But ono
Z admit that these corporations are nee
: essary for the progress. advancement
:. convenience and we'll being of com
4 munities, and that they are the crea
lures OF law. and that law is the crys
!, TALKED sentiment of the people of tn
State. and YOU put them In positlo
9 where they are entitled to the protec
Q ton, as we'll as subject to the contrc
OF, the law-making power. .4ssss.a -se-.s ].
: II is manifestly for the best interes
Of the State that all OF her citizens
whether individuals or corporations
should, in the exercise Of their pro
have the greatest freedom Of actor
and that there should be no imprope
Interference the one with the othel
!, III will go further, and say that tn
!. prosperity of the State Will be ad
. vanced by the existence of confidenc
u and good feeling amongst all of II
g citizens, working together. as the
Il should for the common good. Their
Il la a feeling among some people tina
, the State Is powerless to exercise II
!, law against great combinations Of cap
: ital, and that these corporations, al
I though legally constituted, are a men
- ace to society and entitled to neitne
: favor or protection at the hands Q
e the, State. | have no sympathy Wit
: enough and wise enough to enact an
: execute laws which will so control tn
: powers OF these great public servic
corporations as to make them minis
: ter to the needs and prove baessin
is to our people,. They should be SO cor
j. trolled. and should be required 10 bea
Il their just share of the public BURDEN
- citizens of this Commonwealth. shout
:, have the assurance OF protection /
II the exercise of their lawful power
q and functions. and In their rights Z