THE OYSTER. 167 



terest of the tongmen and dredgers who now earn 

 their living by fishing the public beds to supply the 

 market, for every one appreciates that the destruction 

 of their means of employment would be a great mis- 

 fortune to all the people of the State. 



After much thought upon the matter and careful 

 examination of all the opinions which have been ex- 

 pressed, I am able to perceive only one way to protect 

 and develop this branch of the oyster industry, and I 

 am sorry to say that I am not at all sure that even this 

 plan is practicable. 



It is the co-operative organization of the oystermen 

 themselves for the purpose of improving the public 

 beds. 



If they were to form an association for this purpose, 

 and were to organize it in such a way as to satisfy the 

 people of the State that the desired end would be 

 attained, they ought to be aided and encouraged to 

 make this experiment. 



The people of the State should, however, require 

 ample assurance that all industrious, law-abiding oys- 

 termen who are citizens of Maryland shall have a 

 chance to join the association and to share its advan- 

 tages ; that the number of oysters taken from the pub- 

 lic beds each year shall be restricted to the amount 

 which they can yield without injury; that a proper 

 proportion of the proceeds of the sale of these oysters 

 shall be spent in the improvement of the beds; that 

 the equitable distribution of the balance among the 

 members of the association shall be provided for, and 



