Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1910-09-23
MILITIA NOT TO BE
CALLED TO RIVER.
Expected Clash Between 0ystre
Tongers and Planters Avoided
by Tact. Latter Demand TO be
Protected.
SAY THEY WILL HOLD STATE RE.
SP0NSIBLE.
Tuesday Richmond Times-Dispatch.i

tiANNoS AhShulouu ihttS-DlSnalCn.I
/ While no formal request has come C
Governor Mann for the services of the
State militia to preserve order in the
James river oyster grounds, such a con.
tingency may occur at any moment. Ii
is the desire of the Governor to preserve
peace and to prevent the shedding OF
blood as long as possible, but there is
little doubt that both he and State Fish
Commissioner w. Mcdonald Lee will
see that no reign of anarchy will be
permitted in the oyster bottoms.
The situation has now reached ar
acute stage through the refusal of the
oyster planters to be parties to the truce
which was declared last week between
Commissioners Lee and the tongers, by
the terms of which they were to take
no more oysters from disputed TERRITORY
pending resurvey of the natural rocks
in the river. They take the position
that they have their rights on the leased
grounds, and some of their boats were
worked yesterday.
The tongers protest that the agree
ment has been violated in that the
planters are taking oysters from the
ground which they claim is a part of
the natural rock.
Adding to the evidence that the situa-
ton Is most serious communication
mas been addressed to Governor Mann
and Commissioner Lee by some of the
largest planters in the river notifying
these officials that they will hold
the State responsible for any damage
done to their property. They warn
the Governor and the Commissioner
that all sorts of threats have been
made, and that loss of life as well
as damage to property is likely to fol-
low unless the situation is properly and
promptly dealt with.
That such a condition will he tolerated
by the executive no one believes.
This is the day set by Commissioner Lee
at the compromise last week for begin
ming a resurvey of certain of the James
river natural rocks for the purpose of as
pertaining whether or not portions of the
public ground have been leased to private
pla' tiers, as alleged by the tonpers.
Surveyor Reudiger arrived in Hampton
last night to await the arrival of Com
missioner Lee.
All was said late last night TO be
quiet at Rescue and at Battery Park.
but the tongers w,re as determined as
ever that the planters should take no
more oysters from the natural rocks
On the other hand, the planters claim
that they hold their contracts from the
State, and declared they would oppose
any effort to change their lines.
Adjutant-General w. w. Sale. who
is resting at the home of his parents in
kockbridge county, is in touch with the
situation, and knows that his depart
ment may be brought into play at any
time. His chief clerk is ready to act at
any moment.
with the tongers wrought up to the
highest pitch of excitement, swearing
that they will pull up every stake in
the river unless the planters are driven
from the natural rock, and with the
planters calling attention to their con-
tracts with the State and demanding
the protection of the law for their
property. the situation is most serious.
When TO this is added the action of
some planters in continuing to work their
leased grounds, in spite of the agree
ment made by Commissioner Lee. il
would be surprising indeed if there is
no trouble today. Commissioner Lee
will have use for all his powers of
diplomacy.