The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1869-02-01

1
edly can be accommodated bet
ter with the Capital at Clarks-
burg, than at any other point.
The argument offered, that in the event
of locating the Capital at or near the
centre of the State, railroad will be
made to it, is simply absurd, and has
not, to my mind, a particle of weight in
it. Short local reads are never paying
roads, even with light and easy con-
struetion, and in wealthy and fully
developed country, and we all know
that TO construct road in our State,
must be attended with extraordinary
expense, and who, think you, (to say
the least of ii, would invest in such q
visionary enterprise. But there are
other advantages to be derived by its
location at Clarksburg-thst town is
remarkable for its healthiness, and salu-
brity OF climate-epidemics scarcely
ever visiting it, and none within the
last half century. This truth can be at
tested by the "oldest Inhabitants and
for the last twenty i've years by my own
experience. To a legislative body, 1t
presents the fact of easy and
expeditions communication with al
parts of the world-daily mails
arrive aud depart from the east
and the west, and also from the border
counties. 1t also has telegraphic COM
munication in every direction. Clarks-
burg also has, perhaps, as good hotels
and clearinghouse, as any town IN the
State, of its size, and will keep pace
in that respect with the demands and
its growth; and more kiAd, intelligent,
hOspitable people does not exist. Again,
almost everything necessary for the
construction of the public buildings is
in abundance Immediately around the
town, thereby saving the enormous ex-
pense of land transportation By teams.
'Clarksburg is also situated IN one OF
the best and most pOpulOus counties IN
the State, divided into small but high
ly cultivated farms, producing the most
magnificent crops and herds. Neither
has Clsrksburg land spectators or land
jobbers, at home or abroad, to make for
tunes at the expense of, they care not
who. There is no myth, equivocstion,
or vague uncertainty in her PROPOSE
ton, but she comes before you, frankly
pointing TO her position, as We think,
for the advantage and convenience of
the whole State, for the location of your
Capital.
In locating the Capitol, the ground
necessary for that purpose, (glving
three different points to select from,)
will be decided to the State when such
| selection shall be made, and also the
/ free use of buildings for the annual ses-
siOns of the Legislature and govern
meut purposes - may be necessary dur
ing the time Of erecting the capitol
buildings.
There are two things | wish respect
fully TO call your attention TO, to-wit ::
| An objection may be made that the
river is not always nayigaUle in the
winter. This IS true. Yet there are
I generally but few days at a time that it
/ il closed BY ice, and some winters it is
open all the season. The other fact is,
that if the Capital is located at any
| point nearer the State centre than
Clarksburg, a majority of the represen
tatives will have TO pass through that
| town on their way TO the Capital. One
other thought under this head 1t may
be said the population of the southern
counties will increase in . greater ratio
than the northern; my response Is en-
phatically-aever. The character OF
the eoustry forbids it-a retrospective
and prospective view fUrbids it. The
southern half of this State is mountain
Gus and strictly pastoral-the northern
half highly agricultural.
Now, 10 sum up my argument. lst. II
is 10 be presumed that the location will
be made with reference TO the practical
convenience of the State, rather than
an exact centrality, but still approx
mating as near the centre rs incidental
convenience will admit. 2d. AcCessi-
bility, where the greatest nun Der, rath
er than the few, can he accommodated,
with the most convssient and least ex-
peusive mode Of reaching the Capital.
3. Healthful and pleasant surroundings,
aud the facility OF mail and telegraphic
communication with the world around
together with superior advantages in
buildings and building material These
questions aud these alone, conceive,
are for the candid consideration of the
honorable members in fixing the State
C.u!tll