The Sun, November 28, 1892
Captain James B. Baylor's Views on the Oyster Question.
Sea -- Shellfish - Oystering : SurveyingSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : PlantingSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : Legislation
He believes that Proper Legislation Would Make the Industry of Inestimable Value to the Commonwealth.
RICHMOND, Va., Nov. 27 -- Capt. James B. Baylor, of the United States coast survey service, who is engaged in the important work of surveying and delineating Virginia's oyster grounds, is deeply interested in the work, being a Virginian by birth. He has given considerable attention to the subject of oyster planting, and is satisfied that by proper legislation that industry can be made of inestimable value to Virginia. Vested rights should, this officer thinks, be given to those who desire to acquire these planting grounds. His idea is that these might be conferred on condition that the holdings should be developed and made more productive. He is opposed to the policy of disposing of lands close to the shores, say within a mile or mile and a-half limit. These, he believes, should be reserved entirely for the small planters and tongmen. The policy of encouraging this class to take up small holdings, Captain Baylor thinks, would result in rapidly developing and extending this important industry. No vested rights could, of course, be acquired in the rocks exempt by constitutional provision. In deep water where the oysters are so far below the surface as to require a considerable expenditure of money to remove them, the tongmen and small planters could not profitably work. If vested rights were bestowed these sections would no doubt be acquired by capitalists of sufficient capital to work them on a large scale.
The official report of the United States commissioner of fish and fisheries for 1891 furnished some interesting statistics about the value of the oyster industry in the different States of the Union. For instance, the sales of oysters during the year of 1880 were as follows:
Virginia, $2,218,376; North Carolina, $46,129; Maryland, $4,739,176; Connecticut, $386,625; New Jersey, $2,080,625.
In 1888 -- eight years later -- the same States made the following showing"
Virginia, $1,336,612; North Carolina, about $60,000; Maryland, $3,056,458; Connecticut, $1,012,259; New Jersey, $2,245,659.
It will be seen from these figures that the falling off in the sales of the States of Virginia and Maryland was proportionately greater then in any of the others enumerated. In Virginia the decrease reached nearly one-half of the whole amount returned for 1880.
In Connecticut where the rights of public and private owners are clearly defined, and where the area of oyster lands is not one-eighth of that of Virginia or Maryland, the increase of the product was nearly three hundred per cent. Steam and not sail dredges are used, it is said, in Connecticut. These vessels are compactly built, of about fifty tons burden, and cost about five thousand dollars. There are very few public lands in Virginia, Captain Baylor thinks, upon which dredges ought to be used in the present condition of affairs. Of course under a system where the planter had vested rights in his grounds there could or there certainly ought to be no attempt made to prescribe how he should take his bivalves. His own interest would prevent him from adopting any system which would threaten to curtail the increase of the product of the beds. This selfish desire to make his investment profitable would be sufficient to prevent any resort to means likely to be hurtful to the industry.
Captain Baylor expects to complete the surveys and have all the delineations ready by next summer. During the present winter his time will be occupied in the preparations of the maps of the grounds already surveyed. In the spring, as soon as the weather will admit of his doing so, he will resume the final work.
MR. CLEVELAND'S SUNDAY.
Infrastructure -- Public : SchoolsTourists and sportsmen -- Field sports - Hunting : Waterfowl and shorebirdTourists and sportsmen -- Field sports - Lodges
He Rises Early and Goes for a Brisk Walk -- Later Takes a Drive.
EXMORE, VA., Nov. 27 -- Notwithstanding that the Sabbath is considered a day of rest, President-Elect Cleveland arose at 5.00 this morning and took a brisk walk in the vicinity of Mr. Farrell's cottage. He afterward breakfasted and remained indoors until afternoon. It was decided not to attend divine services at Rev. Mr. Sturgis's Island church at 11 o'clock, as had been previously planned.
About 2 o'clock this afternoon Mr. Cleveland, accompanied by Messrs. Jefferson and Davis, took a drive along the beach, in the club-house undercut carryall. The party were out driving for over two hours. After their return the regular 5 o'clock dinner was served.
No unusual number of natives from the mainland visited Broadwater today, and the customary quiet of an ordinary Sunday prevailed. In the evening the little steamer Sunshine came over from Exmore Landing for the purpose of bringing three young Philadelphians, who have had three days' shooting on the island, their fathers being members of the Broadwater Club. Charles B. Jefferson also came over in the yacht and took the 10.21 train tonight for the North.
This leaves the island entirely free of visitors except the President-elect and L. Clark Davis. To a reporter of the United Press who presented his card Mr. Jefferson strenuously declared that it was a case of mistaken identity. He asserted that his name was "Smith."
It is believed that Mr. Jefferson had gone to New York on business connected with his theatrical combinations. It is said that he will probably not rejoin the party on the Broadwater Island.
Mr. Cleveland has promised to visit the little island school during the coming week. He is expected on the first bright afternoon and Miss Florence Hudson, who superintends this rather primitive institution of learning, has placed everything in order for her distinguished visitors.
The school building is a small frame structure situated a stone's throw from the little white church. It will accommodate some forty pupils, and is fitted up with old-fashioned single desks, a drumhead wood stove and a regulation blackboard.
There is considerable rivalry among the islanders in the matter of bringing in delicacies for the President elect's table. A bountiful supply of fresh and select clams, oysters, terrapin and water fowls of every description are daily presented in the hope that it may furnish the basis of a palatable dish for the visiting party.
In the absence of Private Secretary O'Brien Mr. Cleveland attends his own correspondence. Almost every afternoon, when the conditions are unfavorable for shooting, the President-elect seats himself at Mr. Ferrell's private desk and faithfully devotes himself to answering such letters as require immediate and personal attention.
Mr. Cleveland sleeps remarkably well, seldom awakening during the night. The perfect quiet which prevails with the invigorating air is well calculated to both cure and prevent insomnia.
The bay today is literally alive with flocks of water fowl. Red heads, brant, broad bill and black duck are everywhere seen in large numbers. The tide is rapidly settling into its bed and hourly becoming more favorable for ducking. The prospects for sport now appear better than at any time during the present season.
Yesterday was rather calm for duck shooting in the bay and Mr. Cleveland's bag of game was not so large as it might have been had there been more wind. Still he seemed very well satisfied with it.
The Old Dominion Club, near Wachapreague, have extended an invitation to visit their club-house and shoot on their preserves. They will probably send their yacht for him Monday or Tuesday. There will be quite a crowd of sportsmen down to the Broadwater, the Old Dominion and the Accomac clubs the coming week. The Old Dominion Club is composed largely of New Yorkers, some of them personal acquaintances and friends of Mr. Cleveland, and he may also visit that club.
LAKEWOOD, N. J., Nov. 27. -- Mrs. Grover Cleveland attended services at the Presbyterian Church this morning, being accompanied by Mrs. Freeman. She received a few friends in the afternoon and remained at home during the evening.