The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-04-07

name is associated, are questions at this
time OF absorbing interest, and challenge
her best and most Enlightened inteilects.
OH her railroads she is lifelessl Impov-
erished and wrecked by civil war-her
roads worn out and bridges burned, and
her people too poor to repair them, he
alone who sees for himself can form a
just estimate of her necessities. &.
Disguise it as you may, there Is but
one remedy for the evils complained of,
and that is State patronage to aid the
people to build good roads. Mr., Arnold
showed his sagacity and good sense when
he proposed the incorporation of a pro-
vision IN the constitution, looking to that
object. Unfortunately for the State the
convention was deferred from its duty IN
this respect least at that time its ratifca-
ton would be defeated by the opponents
of the convention. And in our judgment
never was greater mistake made by sen :.
sible men. Who ever heard before of
fundamental law being made for the gov
eminent OF new, undeveloped mountain
State, born in the Threats of u devastating
civil war, with a negative on the power
it up to immigration and settlement
The hypercritical cant that old Virgin
ia crippled and bankrupted herself by
loaning her credit to build roads, Sc, is
not true in fact But for our unfortunate
civil war, Virginia to-day would have
been one of the most prosperous States of
the Union. Forty cents on the hundred
dollars value in 1860 realized an annual
revenue of nearly four million of dollars,
and that, too, when our lands were
not assessed ut one-half as much as they
are to-day. With our present rate of
taxation, Virginia undivided could have
paid off her State debt and other expen-
SEES in less than four years. The non
railroad counties now pay IN taxes four
times as much as in 1860. Then they
had good roads made, in whole or in
part, by the State. To-day they have
none, and it is almost impossible to get
from one courthouse to another. We
are not, however, unmindtul that per-
sons and politicians living on railroads
are mainly opposed to lending aid to
those who live off of them. But is this
wisdom or good craftsmanship? The
policy which prevailed in New York
and Pennsylvania and made them the
two wealthiest and most populous States
of the Union, are worthy of example
ynd emulation. And the friends Of those
great schemes of internal Improvements
which made them rich and powerful
were met in their day by the same kind
of opposition we now NEE. with
in our State Want Of patriot
ism and political unselfshness are
the greatest enemies to the scheme.
In the valleys and hills of West Virginia
are immense untouched natural elements
of civilization, wealth and power. To
utilize them and convert them INTO
money, and provide for its profitable
employment at home, are questions
worthy of the thoughts of our most en-
lirhtened statesmen. That man who hes
means to solve them, and industry to
carry them into practical effect, would
deserve well of ms country. In our
Judgment there is not a better man in
the State better qualified to the perform
ance of the undertaking, or who would
more faithfully carry out the wishes OF
people in this regard, than William r
Arnold. AHhlCoLA'