The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-03-14

IntorostinG Devciepnents.
PARKERsBURG, W. Va. March IL, 1867.
Editor of the Register:
Having an hours leisure this morning,
would like to occupy it in jottins
down some items of interest to your
readers, but unfortunately so much OF
dullness pervades our city that l have
little hope of success. Business mat
ters in this locality are remarkably
quiet. Radical rule, with its blunder-
ing management of the public finances
and it's reckless political exploits, seems
to have paralyzed the energies of our
people. Uncertainty, distrust and often
despair are depicted upon the counte,
nances of many business men who have
heretofore been most buoyant, conf
dent and active. The channels OF
trade appear to be blocked up;
speculation of all kinds is dead, and
enterprise in every line seems to take
fright at the darkened aspect OF the po-
litical sky, and halts upon the thresh-
hold of business. Aside from the dis
beartening effect of the Radical policy
upou every branch of commercial life,
an effect felt by the whole nation as
we'll as ourselves-this city is laboring
under peculiar, though temporary, dis
advantages from the present dullness In
the demand for the great West Virginia
product, petroleum. As the great oil
centre of this region, employing vast
amounts of capital in its development,
Parkersburg cannot be affected ma
terially by such dearth in oil tran
sactions as at present prevails. This
in the nature of the case,, however, is
only temporary, and would sooner or
later be succeeded by the same bustling
and thriving activity that character
ized our city q few months. ago, if the
men who control our National affairs
would only give such evidences OF hon
esty and competency IS would reassure
the public mind and restore and
strengthen in business circles that gem
eral confidence, the want Of which is
now so severely felt. With discreet
and faithful direction Of public con-
Germs, neither our own nor any other
city in West Virginia need have any
doubt of a prosperous and happy fu.
ture, but so long as folly reigns, and
corruption governs, we must expect to
share the misfortune incident to such
laInentable state of affairs.
Among other current subjects of dis
cussion, our citizens have been consld-
ering the prOpriety of sending to the
Great Exposition at Paris, a special
representative 0 to look after the material
interests of West Virginia, and especial
ly to call the attention of foreign na-
tions to the wonderful oil and mineral
resources of our State. If the proper
person or persons be selected, it is be-
iieved that o magnificent market for
our petroleum products can be opened up
in Europe, and that soon there Will
come across the waters such demands
for this West Virginia export as will
enure to the lasting advantage Of our
citizens and to the solid prosperity Of
our State. No definite action in rela-
ton to this subject has yet been taken.
but from the Importance of the inter
ests involved, it is hoped that such
measures may be adopted as will secure
to West Virginia business men suit
able and able representation at the
Great Exposition.
The fact that the Legislature at its
last session almost recognized our
merits by locating tho seat OF Govern
ment ut this city, created no little COM
motion among our interested citizens.
Pending final action, the most absurd
and contradictory rumors were circu-
lated in our midst, and 1t was quite
amusing to note the anxiety of many
gentlemen as reliable reports from
the Legislature indicated alternately
the realization or defeat of fond and
proud anticipations. Now that the ex-
citement has cooled down somewhat,
public sentiment seems disposed to take
an independent stand, and to re-
feet that if the Legislature does
not place the Capital here, it
will simply be their fault and the
general misfortune. Distinguished merit
firm in the consciousness Of its own
deserts, is the part we are now person
ating, and if you and the balance of the
State are 90 blind to the general well
fare as to refuse substantial acknowl-
edgment Of our worth, it will not be the
first time that exalted excellence has
been ignored, and public prosperity sac
rificed in consequence.
Lest weary you, / will close by de-
failing an interesting occurrence which
for a day or two has furnished some
sweet morsels to the tongues and fan
cies of our city gossips. The Daily Times,
a Radical sheet Of this city, has hereto
fore been conducted by Messrs. Drahosh
and Fornshell. This morning the fol-
lowing editorial item appeared In the
Tin,es: "a, 4is-aE -a Doe. .
lowing to certain circumstances the
Daily and Weekly TSp.es will hereafter
be published by E. T. Drahosh".
To use . common, bat peculiarly
suitable expression, athereby hangs .
taIe.n The Junior editor of this delight