The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-01-07
LOCArION OF THE CAPITAL.


LOCATION OFTHE CAPITAL.
The Considerations that should Gov,
ern the Legislature In the selection
ola Site.
The Clarksburg Conservative has what
we are bound to consider, n sensible
and well considered article on this sub
ject. The editor processes to look at
the matter from disinterested stand
point, and he urges upon those who
will be charged with the responsibility
of locating the capital of the State Ell
Their at the coming session of the Leg
islature, or at some future time, the ne
cessity of discarding all false and mar
row views, either personal or local, in
making selection of the spot. He
snys truly that the ideas generally en-
tertained on the subject, such as the
importance of the mere capitol build
ings to any locality, are exceedingly
crude and erroneous. The old time no.
ton of selecting the geographical CEN
tire of State for the location of the
capital, Is played out in these days of
railroads. and other considerations far
more important in their bearing are
taken into the account. Accessibility,
henlthrulness and abundant convent
ences for all the purposes ofIegislation,
ure the chief points to be considered,
and they should control the selection
OF the locality. Another important
item is the cost of putting up the ne
cessary buildings. on the lines of
railroads transportation becomes dear,
as matter Of course, and all building
material is enhanced in cost.
1.-The principal benefit the people of a
State can derive from II iudicious loca-
ton of its capital, apart from its con
Nenience of access, is in the cost of the
construction of the public buildings,
and in these days of high taxes this is
an important item. There is, probably,
no point in our State ut which eyery
thing that Will be required for this pur-
pose can be furnished on the spot, At
some points designated, very little can
be supplied. At others. nearly all can
De obtained in the immediate vicinity.
AZ II considerable distance from IA river
or railroad, the cost of TRANSPORTATION
will be the greatest item of expense.
We know of points urged for the capt.
tnl where the cost and transportation of
the single article of lime alone for the
necessary public buildings, would
amount TO S2O, 600 while mt other points
the whole expense would scarcely be
one-fourth of the amount"
Some people think that all that is
necessary to insure the spriuging up of
IA city, or n very considerable town, is
To locate the capital ut some given
point. They suppose that at once COM
merce will turn her longing eyes to the
spot and make preparations to reach it
by some line of communication, such
AS II railroad. This is great mistake,
as the editor of the CouSerUdtfrc well
observes. Such considerations do not
influence commerce. She looks now
a-days for straight lines, direct routes.
cheap grades, and the diminution of
time. Every day these considerations
are becoming more and more impor-
tant, because of the immense COMPETE
ton sPringinE up all over the land,
We may be sure, therefore, that the
location of the capital of West Virginia.
wherever it may be. will never procure
the building of railroad, unless it is
built by the State Mt the expense of
oppressed taxpayers. Happily our
constitution throws formidable OBJ
staele in the way OF any such wild
project.
It's undoubtedly true that the real
convenience, as well AS the true ipte- /
rests of the people ola State, including
the legislature, is always best consult |
ed by availing themselves of the facili-
ty created to their hand. We mean. by |
this remark, that it matters very little
to large, growing, and established
city, where the capital ofthe State may |
20, but it does matter great deal 10 the /
inhabitants generally of the State. that
their legislature should be able to nvniI /
itself of the facilities offered nv com
merce, trade, manufactures, libraries
and every variety OF practical life. The
aSitations now on foot to move the cap
itals of several Of the States from the
interior to the leading commercial CEN
tres, are illustrations of what we mean
There is serious and growing desire
in Pennsylvania to take the caD;,,,
from Harrisburg to Philadelphia. and
in Kentucky from Frankfort To I .oris
vile. As the editor OF the C5ns,.y,,-
see observes, capitals of States ara
located by men," but cities and bust
ness are the result of circumstances
men cannot control"
"a capital may be located at n favori,a
place, for the purpose of ma king a Ia r,,s
city OF 1t, but unless the location is af a
commercial centre or on the line of
trade, the object will not he attained
Let us refer to facts and learn from m
experience of others. Alihonrb
napolis is the capital of MARYLAND md
has the advantage of tine h5rbor I; t'i ~
an Insignificant out-of-the-wnv niars
compared with Baltimore, which Is IN (
the line of trade. Who ever heard ~
Springfield, the capital of Illinois aS
sept as the place of residence of PrsSi-
Hent Lincoln Chicago does the hnsi-
nie ness OF that State What is HarrishnrS-
me me, capital of Peunsvlvanis basi,S.,
t,i niladelphia and a number OF Other
PsnSes IN that State? Columbus. the
SoMpared with Cincinnati and n
Wen Wen other cities within its borders
mo ho ever hears of Columbia south
Na'''ha, while the world has rnnc