Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1910-10-07
COMMISSIONER LEE.

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The following is from the Newport
News Times-Herald, commenting on
an endorsement from the Petersburg
Index-Appeal:
The Petersburg Index-Appeal says:
I'VE do not believe that the State of
Virginia could have a better man in
charge of the oyster situation at this
time than Commissioner Mcdonald Lee.
who is thoroughly acquainted with the
perplexing and disturbing oyster ques-
ton, past and present, who is man of
cool Judgment and unquestionable nerve,
and who may be depended on to ad-
minister the law faithfully, impartially
and courageously. For our own part,
knowing his character and his capability
as well as we do, we are perfectly will
ing to leave the matter entirely in his
hands to be settled according to his own
judgment and management to the. con-
troll of the situation by any half dozen
other men in the State, and it may be
depended on that he will not be infiu-
enced in the performance of his duty by
fear, favor or affection. or by adverse
aud ignorant criticism.
Mr.. Lee has difficult work to per-
form and no one can understand his
difficulties who has not familiarized him
self with the situation.
Theorists at the North have always
found it an easy matter to deal with the
negro questions in the South. But the
case has been quite different, whenever
any northern community has had to deal
with the same question at home.
1t Is much the same with the oyster
question. 1t is an easy matter to deal
with it from afar, but the officer on the
spot who has to face it as a practical
proposition has a different task.
The constitution of the State provides
that the natural oyster beds shall be
reserved for the public and the tongers
take that literally, without the qualify
ing clause that the General Assembly
shall determine what is natural rock.
1--WE know what natural rock is" say
the tongers. land do not have to be
told by the Legislature. They resent
any encroacnment upon it 10y planters,
whether it be- in the Baylor lines or out
of it, and when satisfied that planters
are working the natural rock out of
reason they grow rebellious.
But the worst of it is that the Baylor
lines are purely imaginary and it is inn
possible to determine in all cases when
planters were poaching and when they
are not.
1t is the Commissioner lot TO deal
with the planters on the one hand and
the tongers on the other. He could dea
with either. without much trouble if
'tother dear charmer were eliminated
from the equation. But both must be
dealt with, and with Baylor's lines in the
imagination only, the lines of Lee have
not fallen in pleasant places. We know
his troubles and we are not disposed TO
quarrel with him. We are more and
more disposed to help him all we car,
and il all others would do likewise, in
stead of criticising him and hindering
him in his work, there would be steady
improvement from season 10 season in
the situation.
Mr.. Lee is trying to deal fairly with
all interests and with the State. He is
also trying to save the oyster beds from
exhaustion and to replenish them. In
this all who know anything about it
must concede that he has rendered val
liable service in this direction and ac-
complished much. He has also greatly
reduced lawlessness in all parts of the
oyster grounds and in the greater part
of the territory has altogether removed
it.
Give him more aid and less eensure,
and he will give even better results
Newport News Times-Herald.