Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1875-01-30
FROM CHARLESTON.
CHARLESTON, w. VA,
January %, 1875.

Eds. Independent:
Sitting to-day meath the drop
pings of eloquent tongues, / have
declared that 1t is vile SANDER
upon our little Legislature to be-
little its ability or eloquence.
might be willing to concede that ii
lacked that show of dignity or pol
ish which attached to similar or
CARNATIONS in other States, where
development has brought wealth,
and wealth facility for intercourse.
association and education. But
am not willing to concede, nor do
l believe that it can be truthfully
maintained that the Representa-
tiveS of this little commonwealth
are not the equal in intelligence,
weighing chances for advancement
in the scale, of those Of any other
State, great or small. From the
indications of to-day / would pre-
dict that the Legislature has been
saving its powers for these times.
For clearer speeches / have not
listened to in Legislative halls,
than has been given here to-day by
both parties upol the Louisiana
resolutions. MIR. Pugh, of Tyler,
led off with a debate upon the Re-
publican side, and although l diff
fer widely with him as to his con-
illusions, he made strong speech,
showing great study and research.
He delivered it in a forcible, manly
manner, but without violent dec
lamation or denunciation. He was
followed by Mr.. Hall, of Richie,
and others. Mr.. Good, Of Wheel
ing, Mr.. WEIGH, of Mineral, and
MIR. Miller, of Kanawha, all made
telling speeches on the Democratic
side. The session lasted from ten
O'Clock in the morning till three
O'Clock in the evening, and was
the first really interesting and pro-
tracted- days labor of this session
The Senatorial contest is now at
the very height OF its interest and
excitement. Intrigue and specula-
ton go hand in hand, and little
else is thought of or cared about
save this question. Mr. Faulkner
declares himself out of the field
and is anxious that it be known
that he declares himself as never
having been a candidate. He says
that his aspirations in the Senate
rial direction was entirely depend
ent upon the will Of the people
from his own district and that as
,,arcnroI s,,farnn.rrca hafu,any, ba,,a
and himself was an impessibility,
their wishes could only be ascer-
tanned through the mouth Of their
Representatives In the Legislature
and that their action alone, with
out solicitation on his part or influ-
ence on the part of his friends,
must have determined his candi-
dacy. No force of circumstances,
he declares, could haye made him
a candidate against the popular
will of his constituents, or to have
accepted any position other than
the one which he now holds by
their suffrages. Ere you have
received this, the question as to
who will be Senator, will have been
settled. The speculations which
you have had in this correspond
ence heretofore needs no addition
or subtraction.
AS the Senatorial contest draws
to a close. the Capital question
looms up in greater proportions,
and, after this week, will become
the absorbing topic until finally
disposed of. Charleston has here
tofore succeeded in keeping the
Capital, only by the expenditure Of
large sums of money in buying
votes in favor of its remaining. This
may seem a rather bold statement,
and would be, if not founded on
fact. No Legislature can be sent
here fully representing the people.
and left to act flee from lobby in
fiuences, that would not by a de-
cisive majority remove the Capt.
tai. Removal was only defeated
in the last Legislature in which
the question came up, by the pur-
chase of votes on the part of the
Charleston people. IT is no secret
here, that, the sum of one thousand
dollars was paid to Representative
Caldwell, for his vote against re-
moval. He was paid $500 in hand
and given negotiable note, signed
by several citizens fthis place, for
the remaining $500, the payment
of which not being promptly made
a suit at law was threatened by the
holder thereof, and payment Fore
ed. With these facts known to the
public how can any representative
whose location and every interest
demand removal, vote against II
The people Of the First and Second
Congressional Districts, who are
deeply interested In the ques, ion,
should mark the votes of their rep
r8ssntatives. l..