The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-05-06
LETTER FROM COLUMBUS.
Editors of the Register

Il
As regularly Is comes the day ts the
world, 80 comes the REGISTER to my Of
fee. A most welcome visitor, too, full OF
news touching the affairs Of Wheeling
and vicinity, around which linger some
of the foundest recollections Of my early
life. What radical changes are produced
by the lapse of years. The Wheeling Of
my boyhood seems no more-almost all
gone down under the surgings of time,
and d new, larger and far grander city
has taken its place.
1t is not, however, of your capital, but
of ours, that have pointed my pencil
to write. We still 60 on improving, of
which there is some complaining. Is
this not q civic pride or vanity that
leads US inevitably to financial embar-
rassment and ruin to the corporations in
which they hold sway, as do intemper.
ance and prodigality individuals?
1t would seem commendable thing
in us, as the Capital and central city Of
the great commonwealth Of Ohio, not
only to seek TO attain metropolitan di-
mansions, but to clothe our streets, build
ings and public thoroughfares in
metropolitan splendor and magnifcence.
also. There is an immense expense at
tending our vast street improvements,
double.tracked and grandly arched tun.
nels under railroad crossings; elegant
school buildings, market houses, City
Hal. and all such edidces as are necessa-
rily connected with the water works, gas
and police departments of the city gov
eminent. All these we have, and they
are reaching a degree of splendor not
often attained by city of the second
class as we rank-being the third In size
in the State.
AS might be expected we are much in
debt; and owing TO- flaw in the law
giving the Council the right to
raise the money to carry on these much
needed Improvements. We are just
now under q cloud Of financial embar-
rassment that we fondly hope may soon
pass away.
1t is a great mistake to suppose, as
some do, that Columbus is dull, lifeless
place all the year round, except the few
months when the Legislature is in session.
Once this may have been measurably so,
but 1t is SO no longer. Indeed, the pres
ence or absence of the General Assembly
makes no perceptible change in the
crowds that by day and night throng our
streets and places ofpubhc resort.
A few scores of men are as
nothing in scores OF thousands.
These representatives of the people,
come among US annually, stay awhile and
then return again to their respective
homes, almost entirely unnoticed, little
missed, and certainly less mournea over
by US. The social status of your ordi-
nary legislator, is not usually very high,
nor is the moral bearing Of many Of
them always such as to entitle them to
exalted rank in the esteem of the good.
But to all who have from year to year
connected themselves by their intelli.
gence and virtue to the respect of our
better class of citizens, Columbus has
ever extended most cordial greet
ing at their coming, and
expressed as sincere regrets at
their departure, rs the most exacting
could ask So it has been, will be, and
should ever be-worth secure respect
The advantages financially to this city
from the presence of the State benevo-
lent and penal institutions cannot be
small. In these institutions there is an
aggregate of three and four thousand in
mates. To manage: these requires the
agency of hundreds more. These, with
their families, must of necessity here
abide. Hence, it is seldom there is not
strong demand for full market.
The new Lunatic Asylum is not yet
finished. 1t is Immense in size-far too
large think, to be safely, economically
and successfully managed.
1t has cost already millions of dollars
Think of one edifce in whose walls have
gone over 100000 of brick, whose
periphery is one mile and q quarter in
length; where there are acres upon acres
of flooring, and five times as much plas-
tering; where there are miles of halls,
endless labyriaths of cellars and subter
ranian passages, a whole canopy of blue
slate roofing, and rooms, and chambers,
and ;osets, and departments for cook
ing and sleeping, and washing and ex-
ersising: all surmounted with battle.
meats, and towers, and domes, and
spires in an endless variety of
form and use Imagine, l say,
mammoth structure Of this
character and you have in your
mind ar imperfect outline of this huge
building, the wonder of all who see it,
and see it many do, for it is easy of &C
cess over q street railroad extending
along Broad street from Its intersection
with High street, over the Scioto, through
Franklinton to this maryelous mass Of
brick and mortar.
It is said it will be completed in Octo-
Der, but it cannot then be occupied, as
the late Republican Legislature refused
to make any appropriation for furnishing
it, wishing for mere party political effect
to keep dowR the appropriation bill to
the lowest possible minimum this presl-
Dental year. Bad policy this,
for as the building is
greatly needed the people would
be far better pleased with party that
would honestly vote money to meet the
known wants of the suffering among
them, than feel like sustaining measure
not only mean but in itself cruel. Not
cent would the majority of the late Legis-
lsture agree to give for this most humane
purpose, although urged with emphasis
and eloquence to do so BY the Democrat
ic leaders of the House.
Mol 1t would seem that many in that
party that boast of their superior intelli-
gence, humanity and piety, would tar
rather rob and steal from the people in
secret than to make public appropris-
ton of means openly, even
if i, should go to the
advantage Of the unfortunate.
And that hundreds of thousands have
been squandred by the friends OF this