Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-02-11
Virginia Legislature.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.

Friday, February 3.-OHIo CouRr-HoUsr
on motion OF Mr.. Fizhugh, Report of the Committee
OF Propositions and Grievances, for the appointment of
Commissioners to fix upon central site for the County
seat oil ONO county, was taken ups Mr. Parrott having
follows:
Mr.. Speakew-If can gain the attention of this
House for short me will state succinctly the reasons
why the proposed amendment should be sustained; and
such matters OF fact as shall state, relative TO this subject
call on my colleague to admit The history which he
has furnished 10 this House of previous legislation
ing the site Of the Courthouse of Ohio county is
neither these proceedings incorrect is
now mmatcra; for that which time under GER
tam circumstances may have been right another time
and under other circumstances may be wrong Ii is Sir
proposition which will be denied, that on questions of
this kind the will of the majority should be the rule of
decision by the census of 1880, the county of Ohio
shows white population of O29 at this time is about
10000 The county is thirty mine forty miles in length
with an average breadth of sixteen miles. The Court
house IS in the town of Wheeling, the West side of The
county nine miles from the North line and thirty or tbirtv
one from the South lue. The town contains now near
oOOo inhabitants; and the space between line drawn
from point seven miles South of Wheeling East to the
Pennsylvania nc and the North line of the county will
contain hreeiourths of the population of the county-
My colleague complains of the location of the Court
house, made by the justices of the county shortly after
the county OF Brooke created According to the
principles which have assumed, and under the circum-
stances OF the that location was correct IL is the
centre OF population, and not the geographical centre
which should be sought such occasions Let u.s. Sir
advert to the circumstances then existing The TERRITORY
now composing the county OF Tyler, then was part of
Ohio county and the whole contained in 1900 i6S in
perhaps, zoo resided South
Creek Surely then, the location was made properly,
and TO suit the convenience Of the majority Of the People
VIII now, Mr. Speaker, call the attention of the House
10 the situation oil affairs at the several times between
1910 and 1920 when redress of grievances on this sub
ect was sought by the inhabitants of the Southern part of
The county In 1870 the white population of the county
numbered 1851; and in 1920 1920 In 1914 the countv
OF Tyler formed, which for the small in
crease between the years 1910 and 1920 At the latter
Pcroh the majority of the citizens resided in the vciny
OF the Courthouse and in the Northern part of the coun-
y The efforts TO change the site of the Courthouse had
then grown into the shape Of bill similar that which
is now contemplated; and il lost in the Senate in 1920
or FL Since that time, Sir this question has been
raj times agated at the polls; and call upon my worthy
colleague TO admit that when he first obtained on
this nOor he obtained il under pledge that he would moi
agitate this question here: and further, Sir that
who would advocate such proposition could have been
or can now, be elected in that county Thus, Mr. Speak
err, 1t appears that the majority Of the people arc
satisfied that the Courthouse shall remain in Wheeling
That Town now contains population of 5000 and in few
years nothing adverse happenings viii increase 10000
IL Is the market place for the produce of the surrounding
country and the place thate people for procuring
their supplies. In 1920 believe its population was moi
more tan l1OO-the increase since is 1900, and Il mus
continue TO increase with rapdity far beyond that OF an,
ton IN that county, is produced within the lands which
have before named containing -ors of the popu
laon Of the country.And here il is niodestlv asked
remove the Courthouse and that the few may be accom-
modated to the injury and Inconvenience of the many
charge II, Sir, and request the admission that tie oh
Jet of the petitioners is TO have the of Justice ocate
ut Elizabeth learn that my colleague is directed b,
them TO have this done regret that there is any differ
cnce between my colleague and myself TO my assertion
OF his being pledged not to advocate the pctiton-I con
slider him pledged His explanation does satisfy me
Who agiiaes this question: Isthe peoplcor maori