The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-07
The Report of the Commission of Fisheries.

The fifteenth annual report of the commits
sion of fisheries. a copy of which lay before us
as we write, tmpresses noteworthy. not to
say remarkable; in general, because it heralds
the glad tdngs of return of the oyster to his
own. and especially because it contains some
thing, which so far we recall, is II not
unprecedented in the annals OF modern official
dom-we refer TO the recommendation of a SUBJ
stantial reduction in its legislative appropriation
for maintenance.
Instead of dead many through selfshness.
ignorance, or common malice sought to kill 1t,
and as some from one. more. all these mo-
tives still insist ii is, oyster culture in the Old
Dominion is yet one Of her 1iveliest Industries,
last years output tonged. cued. shucked and
prepared for shipment being valued at the
plump sum Of 10000 00 Glance again at
those figures Before leaving them. and conceive,
II you can, what that means in years time to
the laboring men of Tidewater Virginia When
you have comprehended that observe that these
together with the fishing and crab Industries of
the State brought within our borders last year
about 1900 600: then remember that as pro-
ducers there In not after all such disparity be-
tween the fishermen and farmer. for Virginia's
annual corn and wheat crop. combined will not
greatly exceed, II equal. the figures last named
virginia's fisheries, no less than her farming in
terests then. constitute a tremendous and highly
important property right, and. by the way. there
must be a reason for this not. however. to be
sought in cooperative acts encouraging words
or sympathetic expressions even. for there have
peeH Hone, OF next 10 IL, II relentless warfare
instead from sources who it would seem had
rather the whole enterprise die, with all the
loss and suffering 1t would mean than that 1t
prosper in the hands of those who for the past
eight years have administered it's affairs
Now. be 1t remembered, the Times has no
candidate for any position the commission a
disclaimer we would deem unnecessary were it
not that timely discussion OF this report is Of
necessity contemporaneous with that Of the gov
ernors consideration of applications for sue
he ipcn ,has,tc but
opportunities for study of the character and
needs of fisheries in general have been. we may
say, exceptional; have awaited ourselves OF
these in moderate way; claim therefore
some information the subject, and offer ii as
our deliberate opinion that virginias fisheries
are today what they are because Of the vigor-
Gus, intelligent elf-sacrhcing lahors and at
tentions brought to them by the present ad-
ministraton, and despite the most selfish silly,
unreasoning and vicious resistance any depart
ment OF State. national government ever re-
ceived from within or without ascendant party
ranks
With commissioner less learned and skilled
in respect to the problems and difficulties which
beset his Office less diligent. devoted and deter
mined in his efforts and purpose TO rescue and
reclaim OF most valued possessions from
the ruin wrought by transformation snd mis-
chief our candid belief is that instead OF a re-
duction an increased maintenance appropria-
ton would to-day be asked feFFhe air1intstra--
ton Of our fisheries is one OF the most delicate
functions OF government: deny that and you
confess your own ignorance. What to the un-
informed self satisfied, might seem a trife,
may prove fatal in Its effects upon the industry
for years TO come.
Governor ELECT Stuart Is abundantly capable
and welcome to make his appointments Of
this body. unaided, far we are concerned
but the Times. which confidently boasts more
genuine originality, IAN original Stuart news
paper than most of it's contem poraries can
offers the suggestion In all kindness and friend
liness that any appointment short Of an expert
II not one actually and practically experienced