The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1914-03-26
SENATOR SPE|CHER ON
THE OYSTER QUESTION
Remarks Delivered BY the Senator
From Garrett.

SANAAS "CobCIl oGSIlOl VI TIE
where the oyster industry is almost I'M
known at least to number of my con-
stituents. vet feel | owe an explana-
ton of my vote not only to my con-
stituents but to the tide water Counties
as well. During the session of 1912
there was considerable discussion on
the subject of oyster legislation: and
after listening to the tide-water repre-
sentatives in their appeals for the pro-
lection of the God-given rights of the
FISHERMAN, | rather felt that perhaps,
there was some room for their COM
plant against the Shell Fish Commits
sion, but did not feel that the mis-
takes could not be corrected by the
Commission if any had been made, so |
waited for the results from the Price
Campbell bill amendment to the Hay
man law, hoping that this would bring
about the relief the oysterman were
asking for. However, do we find con-
ditions now worse than ever before?
And since giving more time and more
study to oyster legislation and listening
to the appeals of representatives of
the tide-water counties for the rights
of the FISHERMAN, am more convinced
than ever that there is not and never
has been any God-given right to
to the FISHERMAN, but a God-given
right to the State of Maryland, and
do not believe that the oyster question
will ever be settled or the proper pro
lection to the oyster industry in this
State (Which should bring a revenue
of several million dollars to the State of
Maryland annually until we change
the Constitution of the State and let
the Shell Fish Commission have full
control of the oyster industry of this
State, not only barren bottoms, but
depleted and natural beds and bars.
By reason of the fact that some ones
father or grandfather years ago dredg-
ed for oysters in the waters of this
State is no reason why the right should
be handed down from one generation to
another. | am a citizen and a tax
payer of Maryland, and by reason of
the fact that live in Garrett county,
could not, even If wanted to, come
any of the tide-water counties and
cake out license and dredge for
oysters unless came and lived in the
county for six months.
What rights has the miner in Western
Maryland? Is he given the right to 90
ntO the mines and dig coal and sell it?
No, and neither is he compelled to re-
side in the State or county for even a
day before he can secure a job in the
mines. The question comes from the
tide water counties; what would you do
with the poor oystermen if you take the
natural bars from him. My answer to
this question would be, let them lease
an acre of the natural bars and pay to
the State what it is worth, and those
who are not able to lease an acre, let
them work for the man who is able to
lease and pay the price the same as the
poor miner of Western Maryland who
digs coal for the men who are able to
own and operate the mines. The same
question might be asked about the poor
miner. What would you do if the mines
should shut down or the coal be ex-
hausted? The miners are compelled to
look elsewhere for another job or seek
other employment. They are not allow
ed to fall back on the natural resources
Of the State for a living. | am fully
convinced that the State of Maryland
owes no more protection to the oyster
hen than to any other class of working
men or women. When | look back to
The time when the Government owned
he great grazing prairies of Montana
md the middle west and the squatters
{ettled on the Government land and
ONE of them grew very wealthy from
l1e natural resources and they began
y think that they owned that which
hey so long held in their possession,
at, when the Government decided to
throw this land open to settlers, the
Jquatters had no more right than men
Who were from the North, or from the
South or from the East. The Govern
ment made no provision for those who
Thought they should have the land by
right of possession. To obtain pos
session of it. they must file claim, as
any other citizen of the United States
had to do | think and feel that the
same construction can be placed on the
obligations of the oystermen of the
lie water counties, and | am ready
to vote tor an amendment to the
stitution of this State to give to the
tie of Maryland full control of ali the
ttoms of the Chesapeake Bay and
butaries so that the State may re-
i've the income from the natural re-
ource that belongs to the State of
Maryland, and not to any class of peo-
pie by right Of possession. And further
would say that to my mind the natu-
raj oyster bars which belong to the
State should not be considered an aims
house for the poor in the tide-wat