The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-12-13
THE CAPITAL QUESTION.
Few Words on an Old Subject.
From the Ritrhia Ga Zette

Legislatures 10 meet, transact business,
adjourn and go home without saying
something about the Capital question.
Since the Legislature convened last
October, we have been possessing our
soul in patience, expecting all the
while, that before the close Of the pres
ent session. the matter would be
brought to life and discussed. Not
withstanding the fact that go much
time has been misspent heretofore in
considering the subject OF the removal
Of the seat Of government from Charles
ton, we were quiet anxious
to see the question agitated again
and what is more than this, to
zee il disposed OF in an honest way. To
Charleston as a town, we have no obJec
tons whatever, but it has always seem-
ed TO lie that the act of a former Legiss
laTure locating the capital at that point
was rather an unfortunate piece Of
work. Many arguments have been
brought to bear to prove this and they
have been reiterated go often that they
nave become hackneyed. But repeti-
on has not detracted in any way from
'her validity. The more the people Of
ne State think upon the subject, the
r"re they are dissatisfied with the
resent condition OF things.
For several years before the bill was
passed locating the seat Of government
where it now stands, the question as to
where it should be put became bone
OF contention" over which there was
much fighting, and the usual amount
of strategy. The matter was never
considered in an impartial way, and
after it was settled, dissatisfaction was
the natural sequence. Incesseat
wrsngling over the question was bad
enough, but the disposition OF it was far
worse.
We are inclined to the opinion that
our capital was located rather prema-
turely. AS time passes away the peo-
pie begin to zee this, and three-fourths
OF them are now in favor OF removing it
10 some more accessible point. To-
day even West Virginia Is not pre-
pared to locate her Capital permanently.
Comparatively peaking she is still in
An undeveloped condition. Railroads
have been projected to traverse the
State from north 10 south, but until
these roads are built, we will not be
able to locate the seat OF government to
the satisfaction Of the majority Of the
people.
The most potent argument against
Charleston is its insccessibility. Our
Lawmakers and State officers are COM
PEELED to resort to all kinds OF neon
veniences in order to reach there, and
after their arrival they fnd that they
have isolated themselves from the OUT
eide world. Postal facilities with many
parts OF the State are inferior, and the
accommodations furnished by the town
are far from being the best. In short,
the man who goes there to serve the
people, must make up his mind before
hand to accommodate himseI! 10
many disadvantages. Besides all
this, the masses are affected
by the inconvenience mentioned.
Representatives are sent TO Charleston,
and the people are compelled to await
their return before they can find ont
what has been done. This assertion
may have the appearance OF exaggera-
tion, but then it illustrates in kind
of a way the obscurity OF our legisla-
lures, and the ignorance which abounds
in regard 10 their work. Let your
light shine before men" is equally ap.
plicable to private individuals and pub
lie bodies. Taking the foregoing lacts
into consideration, we repeat what We
said in the opening OF this article, viz
we hope the question OF the removal Of
the Capital will again be revived aud
discussed. Our people demand that
some action be taken in the matter aud
they will be dissatisfied until these
demands are honored.
As we have stated, we hardly think
the present development Of the State
will enable US 10 make q satisfactory
permanent location OF the seat OF gov.
ernment at this time. In order, there
fore 10 render matters more satisfactory,
would it not be wise for theI Legisla-
ture to accept the proposition made by
our leading city, which has reference
to q temporary location? We refer TO
the offer made by Wheeling. If this
should be accepted, the necessary
building would be finished, free Of al
expense to the State, for the term OF
ten years. At the expiration OF this
time We would probably be able to
make a permanent location. II rail-
road communication should then be
such as 10 make Charleston accessible
we would be perfectly well satisfied for
that town to have the permanent seat
AS is well known, Wheeling, at present
ia the business centre OF the State. II
is easy of access both by land and by
water, and its mail facilities are the
best. During the whole time that the
State government was administered
there, we never heard word OF COM
plant from the people in regard TO a
dearth OF legislative news; nor did We
ever zee disconsolate looking legislators
travelling in that direction in supersnu-
ated army ambulances. II the propo-
sition from that city should be accept
ed, the people throughout the State
would be satisfied, and future State
officers and legislators would rise up
and say a good word for the Legis,a-
ture OF lS72-73.
Fields OF Dock.