Litchfield enquirer., 1873-07-03
GRAFTON WEST VIRGINIA. June. 1873.

MR. EDITOR: The writer hereof, whose 1 parental ancestors were natives of Litcll- l field County, Connecticut, purposes. with your kind leave, to publish from time to time through the columns of the Enqui- Ter, in such manner and form as may suit [ his humor and leisure, concise accounts of matters in the home of his adoption, in in the State of West Virginia.
 ! 1t is proposed to glance at the public af- i fairs of our new State from it's earliest his: tory; to survey in brief its magnificent re- sources of fertile soil, giant timber, and useful minerals; it's sublime. variegated, and glowing scenery of mountains, rivers, 1 and vaies; its unlimited and almost un- improved water power, adaptable to man. ufacturing purposes; its politics, and the character. social peculiarities and econo- my, and the public spirit and intelligence of its near half million of people Such details ought to interest New England CTS, if from no other cause, from the fact that in a majority of its ffty-four coun- ties, are found natives, or the descendants of such, of some of the New England States. These, as 8 general rule, have at least marked individuality of character, andsa marked influence in their several neighborhoods, and have usually infu- enced to considerable extent the pubic action of the various counties and locali- ties where they have settled. It is with in the general scope and purpose of the writer, in a series of these communica- tions, to refer particularly to these Puri- tans and their descendants, for the pur- pose of disclosing the supposed results and influence of this leaven of New Eng land population in the formation and development of our State.
 It may not be amiss to mention here the fact that in the counties of Pocahon- tas and Randolph, respectively, reside Sheldon Clark, and David Blackman, who were old citizens of the country when the writer came here, over quarter of cen- tury ago. Yet,within plain sight from the steples of s:Litchfeld Hill, ,. can be seen the towns where they, as we'll as the writer, were born, reared; and acquired the rudi- ments of character and education charac- teristic of the hardy son of New England, and of which he becomes more and more proud as his experience in life enlarges. Both of the gentlemen named are promi- nent in social position, wealth, and re- spectability. The latter, whose history is best known to the writer, came to this re- zion in his youth, in the capacity of a ''Yankee Pedlar," and though in common with all citizens of much pecuniary sub- stance, he suffered loss during the rebel lion, to figure not less than $3O, 900, he will yet leave to his numerous grand-child- ren, independent inheritances of valuable real estate. But my purpose at this time being only to announce the general out line of my future communications, l will avoid further particulars.
 AS to public affairs, there is but little to interest any one in the current politics of this State; as we have no important cleo tions during the present year. Our elec- tions, under the constitution adopted last year, are made biennial. Perhaps the most important matter of public concern, is the meeting of Railroad Commissioners on.behalf of the State, at .Parkersburg, June 10th, for the purpose of assessing for State and county taxation throughout the various counties where located, the valuation of certain railroad lines and property in this State. This Commission is composed of J. E. Boyers, republican, from the First Congressional District; 8. Dayton, republican, formerly of Goshen, Connecticut. from the Second, and G. G. Burgess, democrat, from the Third Dis trict. The two former of these gentlemen have repeatedly held public positions, and MT. Burgess, though but young man, has represented his County in the Legis- lature, and now holds the office of Attor- ney for the State. in it. Mir. Boyers was the first Secretary of State under the Constitution of 1868; and Mr. Dayton, du- ring several sessions of the State Senate, held the position of chairman of the h. terhal Improvement committee in it. at time when the railroad system of the State, and its principal charters of such roads, were developed and granted.
 When it is considered that the acts of these Commissioners, as to this subject, are made final by law, and that the two leading lines of railroad in West Virginia, were, and have been opened and operated under Baltimore and New York auspices, and capital; and that the State from it's poverty, and absence of commercial and manufacturing emporiums, must still de. pend mainly upon capital outside of it, for the progression of it's similar chartered Improvements; and, at the same time. that it is matter of momentous concern in the future statesmanship of our spacious country, to provide that these giant mo- nopolies shall be made subservient to wholesome regulations, it will at once be recognized, that these Commissiorers have duty to perform, requiring good degree of intelligence and discretion.
 TAX PLEBls
 Referring to the Beecher scandal the Springfield Republican says: It is time, however, for ignoring or Investigating the whole business This scandal has run on in loose way long enough. If the Plymouth church are ready to over