Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-01-10
/" ABOUT SECTIONS. 2

We have not seen an article in
the Charleston Courier under this
caption, and only infer its charac-
ter from quotations in the Wheel
ing Register Of Friday last. It
seems to have had special reference
to the Democratic party, however,
and some contention between the
politicians Of the First and Third
Congressional Districts as to it's
policy and management. Inas-
much as the Second district does
not appear TO be included in this
imbroglio, we certainly have no
purpose to take part in any discus
sions likely to occur between the
Register and Courier; besides, our
position as independent journal
lists makes US rather Indifferent to
any mere partisan issues which
may spring from such source.
But we will take advantage of
the opportunity thus afforded and
protest in the name of peace,
unity and common sense against
this constant reference to sections
and localities in the discussion, by
the press and on the hustings, of
almost every important question
affecting the interests of the State.
Of course, there exist in West Vir.
ginta, from geographical and to-
geographical necessity, divisions
which separate the people and
render them much less homoge-
genous than IS desirable for any
people subject to the same govern
ment. There are different inter-
ests in different localities, result
ing from the ranges of mountains
and the direction Of rivers. These
interests are entitled to every pro-
lection, and it is the province of
judicious legislation to afford it.
But there are many questions OF a
higher and broader character, az
fecting alike all parts Of the Statey
which should be discussed and de
termined in the highest and
broadcast spirit, and without refer
ence to localities or sectional dis
tinctions. 1t is the fact, however,
that an accidental and periodically
changeable arrangement of con-
gressional districts has been per-
mittedsto divide the people as eff
fectually, as if there were insuper-
able natural barriers marking the
arbitrary lines which define these
districts. In the legislature, in
party conventions, in the contro-
versies of newspapers, indeed,
everywhere, we hear constantly OF
the first and third districts-the
second, fortunately, not occupying
equal prominence with the others.
Now, what can it matter where
penitentiaries or asylums may be
located, If they be generally and
conveniently accessible? Indeed,
no one need care where the "Per-
manent Seat" that ghost which
will not down-shall be estab-
lished, if it be nearer than Omaha,
or can be reached, or heard from,
in less time than it takes to 60 to
Denver. Yet touch one of these
subjects-an appropriation to the
penitentlary, a grant to an asy-
lum, the subsidies to normal
schools-and, Immediately, is
evoked war of words about this
district or that; what this has had,
and what that deserves how lit
tie public money is on deposit at
Wheeling; how much at Clarks-
burg; and so on-not to the end of
the chapter,..for the chapter which
records all these chickering's and
jealousies is, thus far, without
sign of conclusion.
Before the separation of the two
Virginias we heard of objections
to the East, because of alleged in
justice to the West, that involved
questions, the discussion of which
good men, in both sections, then
deprecated. Such discussion oc-
casioned bad feeling and led to