The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-03-22

The Tone Of the Newspapers on
the Capital Question.

1t is useless to attempt to disguise the
fact that the tone Of our West Virginia
exchanges is not as encouraging as We
could wish in view Of the proposed action
Of this community in reference to putting
up q Capitol building, The people OF
Wheeling have disposition to put upa
building that will be credit to the city
and the State, but owing to the uncer-
tainty that exists as to whether the Capi-
tai may not speedily be removed to some
other point, Cporhaps at the next session
Of the I.cgislature) they hesitate to go to
the necessary expense, This hesitation is
natural under the circumstances, and Ger.
tainly our coLemporurios Of the West Va.
press, who arc throwing cold water on the
idea Of a permanent location Ofthe Capital
at this point, ought not to be AstOnisbed
at 1t, There IL not private company in
the country that would undertake to ex.
pend large sum Of money in the face Of
30 much uncertainty. A reasonable as
surancc Of at least temporary perma-
nency (if we may use such a seemingly
contradictory expression) would not be
an unfair demand before going into the
erection Of large and costly building,
II our newspaper friends are determined
that the Capital shall be again put in
motion rs soon Ms ali opportunity offers,
ills quite likely that they will be able to
induce a.feelipg Of this kind in the next
Legislature. While we admit their III
Auence, and also their perfect right to
advocate the immediate settlement Of the
question Of permanenCy, yet we take oo-
casion In advance Of the vote Of our
people on tho proposed issue Of city bonds
wherewith to put up Capitol building,
to say that the fact Of divided
public sentiment on the question ought
not to surprise them, II cannot be won
dered at that there are many persons who
take tic ground that II the Capital is
simply TO stop here few weeksOr months
oil It's way to some other point, II Is un'
wise and unnecessary to go to heavy OK
pense to provide proper building
These persons would not feel this way II
there was any reasonable assurance that
the State would agree to make Wheeling
the Capital for few years. On the con
trary they would bo glad to unite with
the balance Of their fellow citizens In
voting the funds wherewlth to put up q
building that neither tho city nor the
State would be ashamed Of.
We desire to put this question squarely
before our newspaper brethren through
out the State. They have 1t in thcil
power to influence tho action OF the ad
journed Legislature that meets here ii
November. The people here understant
and appreciate this fact perfectly. II
therefore, the newspapers are determined
that q fresh agitation for removal shal
commence at an early day the fact cannO
but have a discouruging influence on tn
vote here in April. II, on the cOntrary,the!
believe that tho Capital having been rc-lO
Gated at Wheeling for good md suilcien
reasons) after an absence Of i've years
in should remain here for term Q
years, candid expression to that eiTec
on.their part would do much to roliev
the hesitation that many persons feel a
to what Is our duty Us community
the State.
There arc only a few newspapers /
West Virginia that can have any purcl
local reasons for wishing to immediatel
reopen the agitation Of the Capital quel
tion. The most Of them are therefore Il
a position to view the matter solely wit
reference to the best interests Of the com
imonwealth. We bespeak from such ps
pes a fair and tlnprcjudiced expreSsiO
on The subject.