The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-01-19

along the line of the road. This great
turnpike was first made by the General
Government, bnt was afterwards trans
ferred, onnditionally, to the State Of
Virginia.
The existing legislation relating TO
the management of the road is not suf-
icient to enable the Board of Public
Works to free il from obstruction, or 10
obtain mateiial to keep it in thorough
repair. This is espcciallytrue In regard
TO limestone, which is constantly needed
in large quantities, and which is much
more dit1icalt TO obtain now than when
the improvement was first made. Chan.
ter 60 OF the Code ofNirginis, 1850, gave
the requisite authority to prevent and
remove distinctions and condemn ma
terials for keeping the Told in order;
but there is some doubt as 10 whether
that chapter is now IN fCrce. Ii its
provisions were To-euGcted with some
notifications, sufficient power would
be given 10 the proper authorities to
keep this very important highway in
good condition.
DEVELOPMENT AND RESOURCES.
The agricultural productions of the
State were greater, it is believed, the
past year, than any previous one in our
history. Manufacturing, mining and
commerce have been prosperous. These
great and leading inter, SITS cannot I've
TOO carefully fostered by the State, since
they are so closely, identified with its
prosperity. Particular branches of
manufacturing are increasing rapidly,
especially upon the great thOrouGhfLres,
the rivers and railroads. Every induce
ment should be held out 10 capi aliSts
and laborers, at home and abroad, TO
build up more manufacturing establish
ments in cur midst. They become a per-
manent source of wealth TO the State, by
converting its raw material into shapes
that can be exchanged for money, asd
by making certain aud profitable home
markets for the produce Of our farms.
At the present time there are no
means, apart from the decennial United
States census, for collecting correct
statistical information as TO the amount
of the agricultural, manufacturing and
mining products of the State, except
the partial returns made to the Audit
or's office. IL we are 10 compete sue
cessfully with the surrounding States in
population and securing ad-
ditional capital from abroad, we must
adopt some plan to show what we have
already accomplished, and to make
known the vast amount of natural
wealth which still lies undev"Ioped
Al DIs GInlI9fInal A.
ports furDishcd annually to the Auditor
might, without much additional cost,
be made to embrace greater number
Of subjects, including population. As
it is now, we grOpe in the dark, and
many important facts which, If known,
might be greatly 10 our interest, remain
hidden and useless. Oar coal, lumber,
iron aud oil interests are almost un-
known beyond the limits of the State;
and even many of our own people have
no adequate conception of their value
aud extent. No State has greater capa-
bilities or opportunities than West Vir-
ginia for multiplying and diversifying
her industrial productions; but this
fact, to be of advantage to Us, must be
made generally known. The condition
of the treasury viii not justify any con-
siderable outlay for this purpose; bat
even limited appropriation, judicious-
ly expended, would be productive of
much good.
A thorough geological survey Of the
State should be made; but il this can
not be done at present, partial or pre-
survey, made by State author
ity, the result of which could be given
in popular language and in cheap form,
stating the character aud extent of our
coal fields, soil, iron ore aud other min
erals, could not fail to be Of immense
value, especially if accompanied by in
in regard to productions, eli.
mate, timber, railroads, water power,
etc.
A much greater interest is manifested
now than at any previous time in farm
ing, stock raising, and the mechanic
arts. We have gratifying evidence Of
this fact in the increased number Of
county agricultural and mechanical fairs
held during 1869, and in the success
which attended them. These annual
exhibitions of the products of the farm
and workshop shoult receive all the en-
which you can give them;
they are unmistakable indications OF
healthy growth in the right direction.
4 State agricultural society, which
would hold annual fairs in some cen
tral locality, where the productions Of
each county could DO exhibited, is
greatly needed. The organization Of
such a society need net require any out
lay on the part Of the State, but would
be facilitated by the prestige given by
legislative sanction.
Statements have been circulated,
by persons who lack proper
and sometimes by persons
who lack proper motives, that the State
is losing population and falling of in
the production Of wealth. Satisfied
that the prevalence Of these reports
might be used TO Our injury, haye
taken some trouble to investi gate their
truth. The Importance Of the subject
is the only apology ] have 20 offer for
speaking Of it so much in detail.
have corresponded with gentlemen
in many parts Of the State who are en-
gagged in various industrial pursuits, in
regard to the productions Of the farms,
mines, IaCJOIleh anu IOIcbls dt pItSSub,
as compared with the time when the
State was organized, and have been for
nisbsd by them with numerous state
meuts, the substance of which ] think
it my duty TO give you. As the facts
were hastily gathered, they are neces-
sarily imperfect, and can only be relied
upon az approIimating the exact truth.
l received them in nearly every case
from parties familiar with the different
branches Of business to which they re.
late.
These facts prove not only large,
but in many cases Surprising increase
in the productions Of the State.
The manufacture Of salt in the Great
Kanswha Valley, Notwithstanding the
many adverse circumstances growing
ont Of the war, unusual floods and nm
certain navigation, has increased, until
the amount in 1869 exceeded that in
1864 about half q million of bushels, the
number Of bushels shipped at the pres
ent time being 10000 per month. The
increase in the production Of coal in
the same region in 1869 was three hun
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