Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-10-09
WAY NOT DISCUSS THE SiTuA
TON AS IT ExisTs7

In attempting 10 discuss the oys'e'
question most of the inland news
papers lose sight OF or are ignorant
OF the conditions as they actually ex-
list. For instance. the Richmond News
Leader, commenting upon an edi-i
torial of the Roanoke Times. asserts
that The Times takes the very ra-
tional position that these oyster beds
are not the private and peculiar prop
erty OF the men in their Immediate
vicinity. tongers and others. but be-
long TO the whole state of Virginia,
and that II is the height of folly FOR
any TO contend that they should De
turned over for unlimited exploitation
and ultimate exhaustion to the men
OF few counties"
This may sound very wise and iosi'
cal to people who know nothing about
the facts but the informed must see
that 1t is absurd. The constitution
of virginia in very plain language sets
forth that the natural oyster rocks OF
the state shall not be rented or
leased but shall be held in trust Tor
the use of the people. Surely no one
can misunderstood this. II means. IN
the firs; place. that the private oyster
planters. of whom there are many,
must confine their cultivating opera
lions strictly to bottom that Is not
naturally productive. The state has
no right TO lease single foot OF nat
ur3l rock, unless and until the constr
tuition is amended The material rocks
shall be held In trust for the use oil
the people" says the constitution. the
Times declares that the oyster beds
are NOT the private and peculiar prop
erty Of the men in their immediate
vicinity and so they are not. But
when the trainers OF the constitution
prohibited the renting and leasing OF
the rocks and required that they be
held in trust for the use Of the people.
they certainly intended that some
bcdy should use them. or. In other
words. that somebody should have the
privilege Of going cut on the rivers
and inIess and taking oysters from
the rocks. And whom did the makers OF
the constitution have in mind when
they wrote "for the use OF the people.
the residents Of the valley or the peo-
pie who live along the shores of the
rivers and Abays in which the oys-
sters are to be found, The only peo-
nile who are within reach Of the rocks.
the men who for generations nave
made N living for themselves and
their families on the waters OF the
state. sre the logical users of THIS
natural resource II the mountaineers
want to tong oysters they can come
down this way sad exercise that con
ssitufional privilege to their hearts
content: the rocks are here for every
citizen 70 use II he cares 20.
Therefore is tommyro; TO talk
about II being the heizh; o. folly for
any to contend that they lthe oyster
rocks) should be TUNED over" to the
men OF a few counties. The consutu-
tion, prac; cally, does turn the oyster
rocks over to the people living IN
their vicinity. within certain limita'
tons defined BY statute. u q i s"a.
tended that this provision Of the or
xsnie laz n the HEIGHT Of folly. then
in the name q common sense le'
those Who believe u is openly and pet
eistsniiy advocate an amendmeat
Norhins ls &c be sa,ned By Sombasti'
tax about the vast potential r.
sources q these nssrsi treasures
and vague references 20 what ~