The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-01-11

From the Martinsburg Era.l
The Capital Question in Jefferson
CHARLEsrowN, January 2, 1878.
Editors Era:
The Hon. R, Hume Butcher is at
home among his constituents. He is
quite nervous about his course on the
Capital question, and since his return
has been exceedingly active in bis en-
deavors to convince our people that he
acted with an eye single to their inter
ests in voting to retain the capital at its
present inaccessible location: How
ever, the gentleman has sisnally failed
in his efforts, Notwithstanding the free
use Of all the sophistrY and eloquence
at bis command. r The people Of Jeffer-
son cannot be induced to believe any
such clap-trap, 1t is entirely too thin.
Mr.. Butcher had a meeting called in
this place to indorse his course. The
proceedings represent it "a meeting OF
the citizens of Jefferson county" Let us
see. The entire meeting did not emr
brace one hundred persons, men and
boys, and they were almost exclusively
composed of citizens of Chsrlestown-
Ii Charlsstovn is Jefferson county, then
the gathering might properly be called
"a meeting of the citizens Of Jefferson
county," not otherwise. Nov we pro-
test against the action OF, g. few men in
Charlestown presuming to speak for the
citizens OF Jefferson county on this
important, question. creating the false
impression that the action 4, OF Mr..
Butcher and Mr.. Shirley, in voting
against the removal Of the Capital TO
some accessible point, is Endorsed by
our citizens. Such is not the fact, and
thew know it. Two thirds, at least, OF
Mr.. Butchers constituents disapprove
his course, as any intelligent man who
has mingled with the people will tell
you. So, ..s % -
The meeting held in this place on the
Goth ult., however, was oot entirely
without result. 1t did what no one &C
ouainted with the gentleman supposed
possible. 1t brought out the Hon. W.
II. Travers to a positive position on the
Capital question. The Hon. VIM. ID.
Travers is a very cautious gentleman
he is usually negative aid non.commit-
tai. He is not apt to take sides until
pretty well convinced that the side he
espouses is going to win. In fact, he is
what might be termed willy politician.
Therefore no one supposed that the
Hon. w. II. Trsvers would take a de-
cided stand on the Capital question. But
he has. Whether he was induced TO
this course by the persuasive arguments
of the eloquent Butcher" or the gilt
teripg promises of the special agent sent
here from Charleston, your correspond
ent is not able to say. But he has come
out square against removal, and show
ed his zeal SS66EiHs sssoi S6l6 uI IN
;:' &: 81 $s;' '';:s q
pin here. -
There is no doubt fhat "a change has
come over the spirit of our dreams
here in regard to the Capital question.
A little while ago, the "citizens OF
Chsrlestown," as well as Of the county,
were loud in their demands for re-
moval. The, newspapers here could
employ no sarcssm, irony or rid'cuIe
TOO strong in its application to the ln-
accessibility of the present location OF
the CAPITAL. But now those in this
town, who were most earnest In Their
demands for removal, allude to the
matter with bated breath, while others,
not quite 40 earnest, have rothlng at
all to say about it. There must be
some canse for this. Can it be
that the people of Charleston and the
Third District have promised Charles
town valuable consideration for the
active services OF Messrs. Butcher and
Shirley in helping to keep the Capital at
Charleston Had an Agricultural col
lege and a session OF the Court Of APP
peals ANYTHING to do with it7 What
were the inducements offered by the
Minister Plenipotentisry sent from
Charleston to CharleStown' Is there a
III eathen Chinee," with dark eyes and
vain tricks, mixed up in the matter
Will somebody rise to explain. 1t
certainly looks "pecooliar." But,
THE best laid plans OF mice and men,
Aii!s agiee.