The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-09-22
Sentiment G 70 w S for
Leasing Natural Rocks
to Highest Bidder.
PLANTERS AGREE
TO AWAIT SURVEY
Fish Commission to Settle Dis
puted Points Within Three
Days-Militia Still Ready for
Service-Planters Maintain
Contractual Rights-All
Quiet on River.

"Unless the attitude of the tongers
towards law and order is materially
changed, and should be n member
of the next General Assembly, shall
propose an amendment to the Consti- |
tuition abolishing public oyster grounds !
md Leasing the natural rock TO the
highest bidder, under proper reatrtc- |
tiOns.
~ believe the trouble in the James
is due TO the mistaken methods OF
handling the tongcrs. They have been
petted and pnmpered md their tm-
portnnce impressed upon them, inrEe-
~ for political reasons, until they
think they own the river.
"while no doubt some OF the plant-
ers have tespassed on the public
grounds. there ix n remedy In the
Courts. Their misdeeds do not give
the tongers license to fnunt the Dig
nifty and the statutes of the Common
wealth, nor to remove stakes, nor steal
the property of the planters. 1t is
the duty of the planters and of Com-
missioner Lee to cooperate in secure
Ing the arrest and conviction of every
person who Is guilty of pulling UP
stakes"
These u,erances were delivered
last night b. one OF the foremost men,
IL the State public man whose name
is known IN every neighborhood OF
the Commonwealth. a legislator OF
= long aud distinguished experience, and
one who has made the oyster question
asubject of the deepest and most care
fu. study.
His attitude, together with that Of
ether people who discussed the situa-
tion in the James River yesterday, is
taken to mean the beginning of a
movement which will abolish the natu-
raj oyster rocks In the waters Of yir-
sinia, and do away once and forever
with the disturbing Influences which
officials burden and have drawn
heavily on the moral and financial
forces OF the State.
Three Days Delay.
Three days of grace were the ne,
result OF the conference held In Rich.
mond yesterday afternoon between the
Governor, the Attorney-General ana
members OF the State Commission o1
Fisheries. For that space of time thu
planters agree to take no oysters from
The river, and Fish Commissioner W
Mcdonald Lee promises on his part I,
determine by survey all acute ques
tions at issue by the end of the week
The planters We're represented b.
counsel. While not surrendering any o
the rights which they conceive the.
have under their contracts with tn
State. they recognize the ticklish ma
ture OF the situation and agreed I
give up three days of the most pro
ductive part of the best season TIL
James has ever known. in order t
preserve peace and order on the river
Troops Still Ready.
So far as the military side OF tn
affair rs concerned the only actio
taken during the day was a telegrar
4H GENT early In the morning by Adjutant
General W. w. Sale to Norfolk. in
structng Major B. W. salomonsky nc
to take further steps until he receive
orders from Richmond.
He is still. however, to keep /
touch with the members of his ba,
TALON, so that they will be availabl
for service II needed, within tn
~ shortest possible time. 1t was learne
that 1t had dnot been contemplated b
the Acknowledgement that the soldie,
be kept in the armory. or that the
consider themselves on military dut
the measure being precautionary.
Commissioner Lee again disclaime
here yesterday that he had taken an
part in the movement looking to IL
use Of troops. He added, howeve
that the Governor had sufficient eau:
TO take measures Of preparation
Expects Peaceful settlement.
Things looked very squally on la
Wednesday, said Mr.. Lee. but sin,
that time they have quleted down.
now believe that the situation Will
peaceably worked out"
The survey will be continued to-ds
with the aid of records secured by NJ
Lee yesterday. He will be on u
river again throughout the day.
Those present at the conference he
In the Governors Office during Il
afternoon We're: The Governor. A
torney- General Samuel w. William
NJ Fish Commissioner w. Mcdonald Ie
Secretary S. Wilkins Mathews al
Clerk f, L. C. scott. NJ. G.. Arnstro,
appeared for the planters. ana w
accompanled by S. Gordon Cnmmin
81 VINO said ne was counsel not only +
Armstrong Brothers, but for all 4
the eight planters who signed 7
communication to the Governor mo-
flying him that they would hold \
State responsible for damage to ths
property. g3l,,f A
Governor nnnn's Statement.
J AT the conclusion Of the conferen
1nanfinnad On Third sPaEe.as