798

JOINT RESOLUTIONS.

and they are hereby appointed and constituted a

commission to examine into this subject and re-

Appointed a

port to the next General Assembly what legisla-

commission.

tion is necessary and proper to protect and foster

the forest growth of Maryland, said commission-

ers to serve without pay.

No. 7.

WHEREAS the oyster interest of this State is

one of its most important industries, giving em-

ployment to thousands of its citizens, and having

millions of capital invested therein; and whereas

it is reported that recent investigations have shown

that the oyster beds of the State have been

seriously impaired by over dredging and unwhole-

some laws, and are in danger of complete de-

struction at an early day unless checked by reme-

Preamble.

dial legislation; and whereas it is impossible for

the present legislature to adopt proper laws for

want of time, and of reliable and sufficient infor-

mation upon the subject, and it is important that

the next General Assembly have laid before it the

true condition of the oyster beds of the State,

and such other information as will enable them to

devise such laws for the immediate protection of

the same; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Delegates

of Maryland, That the Governor be and he is

hereby authorized to appoint, on or before the

Examine con-

first day of June next, three citizens of this State,

dition of oys-

to examine the condition of the oyster beds of

ter beds.

the State, and report the same to the next Gen-

eral Assembly, with such recommendation as will

conduce to the protection of this important in-

dustry.

Resolved, Second, that each of said commission-

ers shall receive the sum of five hundred dollars

Compensation

and actual expense for their service, the same to

be paid out of any money in the treasury to the

credit of the oyster funds.