The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-09-04
At'heeling Register.
Wednesday nerains,- September
The Capital Question.
correspondent writing from Braxton

4 correspondent writing from BraXtor
county fsvors us with his views upon
the capital question. His letter will
he found in another column. As this
;sa question of considerable interest tC
the people of our State, we have con-
clnded to open our columns for its dis
russ:on. We shall, Of course, impose
Snme restrictions as 10 the length and
perfinence of the matter furnished us,
hut for reasonable number of proper
presentations of facts and arguments
bearing upon the subject we will find a
place. We therefore invite such wIi-
ters as may feel concerned in the loea-
tion of onr State capital to present in a
brief. concise and pertinent manner
their views upon the vexed question.
Weexpect 10 show no partiality in per-
hitting our columns to be used for this
purpose We de sire to give the merits
OF every contesting point fair and
equal showing, and to this end will Ne
serve the right to reject such
articles as may be of undue
number OF length. One of the first
requirements which correspondents
upon this subject will be expected to
observe IS brevity. Few writers know
Wien TO stop, and good article is often
weakened by excessive amplifcatiOn.
Hence the Importance of relying mainly
ou palpanle facts rather thai fine spun
arguments. If your facts are clear and
appropriate, people will reach your con-
,lusions almost without your aid. If
your statements are obscure or ques-
rionable. no amount of words can pro-
duce conviction.
As the taxpayers are the proper par
Ties t0 he consulted in this matter, the
financial aspect of the case should not
he lost sight of; those articles will not
hr without effect which are prompted
~ considerations of economy, and
which appear to consult the best inter
eSts of the State, not only for the pres
-nr. hut for all time. The most tedious
aud unproftable discussions will be
these which inv olive the "loyaity' and
sacrifices of this or that point. Snch
considerations are entirely out OF place.
If localities expect to be paid for their
public virtue the people will justly
deem it not worth the purchase. True
patriots ask no reward {; bogus patriots
deserve none. The people who are pay
ing the expenses of this State Govern
ment will be more concerned about the
cost of the capital; its convenience; its
Effect in developing the surrounding
country, and in beneftting the State at
,argr. than in the heroic suf-
irrings of some particular vii
!age. or the militia musters
OF some patriotic hamlet, or the devo-
tional loyalty of some unflinching and
superhuously zealoas crossroads. The
amount of martyrdom claimed to have
heeu undergone in the early days of the
var. by an indefinite number of towns,
hamlets and neighborhoods in West
Virginia, is out of all proportion to the
results, and the people are by no means
obliviOus to the true state of the case.
Exaggeration is provoking ridicule and
weakening the claims that are sought
10 be strengthened thereby.
We make these suggestions for the
benefit of ali parties and places inter
ssted on the capital question. We now
invite general setting forth of claims
and statement of cases. We intend to
give every locality an impartial hear
ing, under such limitations as we have
limited at. 1t is scarcely necessary to
say that We are not waving our own
right to advocate specially and editori-
ally that location whose claims we may
consider the strongest.