Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-01-07
A CARD.

To the Citizens of Jefferson :-You are
aware that prior to the adjournment of our
State Legislature for the Christians Holidays,
the members from the Northwestern Dor.
ton OF the State had made strong effort to
remove the Seat of Government from Charles
ton, and that this effort had produced bitter
anc acrimonious controversy which consumed
a large portion Of the time of the members,
and greatly retarded the public business.
In this controversy the members from our
section of the State opposed the removal. and
in doing so it seems to me, they have served
the true interests Of their constituents, and
that their actions should Be approved and
sanctioned by you.
The Capitol was by the Legislature per>
mancntly Located az Charleston. under the
power conferred upon it, by the first Consti-
tuition of the State. Upon the faith of the
rernanency of this location, the citizens of
Charleston have purchased eligible grounds,
and have erected thereon large and cnrnmo>
dious State House, costing some $40. 900, with
appropriate and convenient Legislative chains
hers. Offices. and corfimttce rooms This
building and grounds have been occupied and
used by the State tor 1iore than two wears.
free from rent or other charge. Believing
that this location was as the Act Of the Leg
islature declares it to be, permanent-they
have also erected since the location large.
convenient. and extensive lTorel-aud made
other large expenditures of money.
Under these circumstances to remove the
Seat of Government for slight cause or for no
cause, would be great and gross act of in
Justice, and would necessarily emhfter the
whole third Congressional District who take
lively and vital interest in this question,
tl,a
the removal.
The removal wonld also be an act Of had
policy, costly and Injurious to the best interest
of this State. Before tho locatinn ut Charles
ton, the question had been a.itatod and dis
cussed at many sessions of the Legislature,
consuming much time. and embarrassing all
the public business. The present Bill only
provides for another Temporary 1oaation IF
the Bill passes, the same capitol question will
be again agitated, and will again emhar1ass
the public business, increase the public ex-
pense, and waste the public money, for many
sessions.
This agitation Injuries the reputation of the
State-it produces the impression that our
rulers are weak and vacilIatinr, and that they
do not respect pIieh'cd faith or vested rights
it alarms capital, it discouraces immgra-
ton, and is destructive +" our best interest.
That portion Of the State. North OF the
Kanawhs, and West of the Allegheny noun
tains already has within its borders the PEN
itentiary, the Asylum, the University. and
one session of the Court of Appcals; it has
furnished all the Governors, and all the T.. s.
Senators, save of each ; 1t has now three
out of four of the Appellate Judges. 1t does
not seem TO me right or proper that one sec
ton should seize and enjov all the patronage,
power, and offices of the State, and that this
grasping spirit should be encouraged
The Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad will
be completed in January next-ths great
work will produce great change in the third
Congressional District-it will greatly develop
their mineral resources. and increase their
communication with the world. The mail
facilities and tecgraphic connexions of
Charleston will he nnsnrpassed-it will he hy
mail only twenty>four hours from New York,
and in few months, the distance between
Memphis and Charleston will be the same
1t can he reached from any mart of our State
in twentv>forr hours. it will he nearer to a
nortion of our valley than Wheelinc-it will
be equally as near to the other portions of
our valley as Wheeling.
This agitation should cease. If the Capi>
tai is to be moved, if this expense is to be in~
CURED by the people-the people should be
consulted.
There was no discussion in Jefferson coun.
ty upon this question at the August elections
When suddenly thrust upon the Legislature
was uninstructed by you. and had to rely
upon my best Judgment. Upon calm SUR
vey of the question, had no hesitation as to
my course, firmly convinced that removal
would be detrimental to your present and
future interest. hope my action upon this
question will meet your approval.
Your fellow citizen,
r. HUME BUTCHER.
Our CIRCUIT CoURTs.-The recent act of
the Legislature fixing the time for the terms