The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-02

highways. next TO the agricultural interests
the vital question in Virginia to-day do
rot undervalue our schools. but they are
firmly established. under wise and progress
Improving condition. and do not so much
need our care as do our public highways.
Permanent Road Fund.
favor the recommendation made by
Governor swanson in his message, that al
least one-half of the franchise tax on rail-
roads, which is a constantly increasing sum,
be set apart for state aid TO the counties
TO be used in building highways. and II
should be understood that this sum VIII
be increased from time to time as the
resources OF the state permit. and that 1t
is the settled policy OF the state TO help
along the work OF building good roads In
ever. possible way.
state should Purchase Quarries.
Ii is respectfully suggested that quar-
purchased by the state, and the long
term convicts be required to crush rock 10
be distributed to the counties for road puf-
poses free OF cost. II is believed that the
railroads will haul the rock at nominal
cost in view of the benefits which parma
nent highways will bring TO their respective
lines. and that with the material given
and the help of the convicts furnished by
the state, the counties can gradually con-
struct permanent highways which will add
TO the value OF our lands, Increase the con,
venience and pleasure of rural He. ana
keep our boys at home.
Oysters and Fish.
should create demand for pres
ent and future output. stop asl-
tation and declare fixed noicy.
and OF our fellow citizens engaged
in the business. Fish traps not to
occupy more than half of stream.
The laws in reference to oysters and fish
have engaged my attention for some years
and during my visits to the 'ridewater sec
ton and whenever an opportunity presented,
have endeavored to gain information
which would aid me in looking after the
interests OF the state and It's citizens en-
gagged in this industry. whether tongers,
planters or fishermen. | think 1t VIII be
admitted by all that the oyster beds are
now we'll protected and the raids OF dopre-
dators from other States entirely stopped.
/ Ii is also true that While in come localities
| oysters may not be as plentiful as formerly
that during the seasons of loos-loc and lsG9-
| 1910 the supply of oysters has been greater
/ than the demand, and that many planters
during the season first named did not take
up their oysters 1t seems to me, therefore.
| that an essential need of the industry Is
| 10 take steps to create a demand which
! win enable us not only to dispose of what
| our natural rocks and planted grounds
are now producing but make desirable the
/ leasing and planting OF the ground at the
/ disposal of the State suitable for that
| purpose and which, II all could be leased
would add materially to our income
The constant agitation OF this question
and the consequent uncertainty attending
lii do not tend to the growth of the oyster
4 and ash industries, and it seems. to me tina
4 the General Assembly should as far as pos
in reference to these Important matters
4 having regard not only for the Interests
4 and revenues of the state but the interest
of the large number of our worthy citizen
4 who are engaged in the business.
some regulation ought to be made IL
reference TO the setting OF traps. fykes
4 weirs and other fixed devices in the mouth
OF our streams for tho purpose of catching
| t1l.a-tt r,,,th he Of ny
Z rivers are so obstructed as 10 prevent tn
Il nsh from going un tho streams which i
a most important matter. especially In tn
!. spawnnc season. i think at least half o
sp niath- OF the streams should be unob
atructcd. that is. that no device of any
Kind for the taking of fish ought TO bc pcr
miited TO be placed at n greater distanc,
4 from tho shore than onc-fourth of ths
4 width of the stream.
And in this connection, i suggest til,
necessity for general laws protecting hsh II
i our streams above Tidewater. Some OF on'
7, citizens have been making efforts to stoGt
4 these streams with desirable fish. but few
a men with ncts and seines are permitted tt
defeat their efforts:
Corporations; Their Control and FRO
The business OF this country is now belni
4 done very largely BY corporations. And I
is admitted, even by those who have SOM
Il nrejudice against these organizations tina
Il combina OF capital are necessary TO
"a tho performance of certain services to SO
II ciety Railroad. teNpress and steamboat con,
panies are necessary for TRANSFORMATION ant
\ couvenicnce: telegraph and Telephone com
tpanics have largely increased the working
power Of business men and added 10 W
COMFORT OF our wives and daughters; min
"A Ing companies PROVIDE US With fuel and or
X and other things; manufacturing and com
Il marcial companies produce and fprnis
articles OF necessity, comfort and luxury
a besides building UP communities and fur
4 nishing markets for the produce OF gu
Il farms. & 535
are created many Of these corporations ar
h nation OF Land, for which they have To d
4 invested with the right or eminent domain
and to certain extent, that Is, With
Y certain boundaries. every raill bad c.,apan