Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1910-03-11
SPEAKER BYRD'S POSITION.
oErom Richmond Virrinian. }


Our esteemed contemporary, the Nor
folk Virginian-Pilot, makes ado over the
statement in these columns that Speaker
Byrd had made no secret of the fact
that he desired to break the Baylor
Survey. AS we had undertaken to
state Mr.. Byrd's position, we requested
him TO state it in his own words and we
give it the same prominence that was
given to the original. Mr.. Byrd says:
81 do not think some of the Tidewater
people have an accurate idea of my
position regarding Che Baylor Survey.
81 have absolutely no personal in
terest in this matter. My whole idea is
to, if possible, provide some method by
which unproductive bottom may be
made productive. 1t has never been
my intention to turn over any produc-
tive natural rock to the planters. The
Constitution of the State prohibits this.
My information is that there are large
areas of bottom included in the Baylor
Survey which from one cause or another
have become barren and unproductive.
81 think these areas should be made
productive. l cannot conceive of any
agreement which would justify the
prolongation of conditions under which
such areas must continue permanently
unproductive. The words Breaking
the Baylor Survey is phrase which
may have different meanings to differ
ent people.
''Seme of the very people who were
most hostile to making the Survey now
regard it as sacred and claim that any
attempt, however intelligent and how
ever well safeguarded, to change it's
lines is species of blasphemy.
al have never desired to do any more
than to turn over unproductive bottoms
to persons who will by industry and care
make them productive.
''If the Wickham-Byrd bill is an en-
tering wedge, it is only so in the sense
that, if the unproductive bottoms of the
James become under that law produc-
tive, their unproductive bottoms in
other portions of the Survey will by
the same process be made productive.
have no desire except to advance the
interest of the oystermen themselves.
Lately had talk with the Speaker
of the House of Delegates of North
Carolina who told me that the oyster
interest ofhis State had practically been
ruined by the inability of the Tidewater
people to get together and agree upon
any practical remedial legislation.
~ hope that this will not be the fate
of the great oyster interests of this
State"
Mr.. Byrd, Senator Keezell and other
citizens from the interior have taken
an unselfish interest in the oyster in
dustry, and have endeavored to work
out some plan by which the supply of
seed can be increased and the planting
industry developed, without depriying
the tongers of any Of their rights. But
every attempt at legislation is opposed
by certain element from Tidewater,
and no remedy offered for existing evils.
The opposition insists that the status
quo must be preserved, that the lines OF
the Baylor Survey must not be changed
in any degree, and that every to-mor-
row shall be as to-day. And if ever
any man suggests that these lines
should be changed, he is set down as a
publican and sinner who wishes to rob
the poor tonger Of his rights, that the
natural rock may be given to the rich
planter. The Commissioners are worse
than tired. They are disgusted. The
State will not continue for long to spend
Sl0. 600 year to collect $4,000 in reve.
nue. from James river oystermen. There
must be change for the better or the
James river beds will be abandoned.
L