Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1877-02-03
LETTER FROM WHEELING.
WHEELING, W. Va,
Jan. 25. 1877.


in company with several of our County
friends, for some days past. We have
daily visited the Capitol to see and hear
all that is going on. The themes most
especially engaging the attention of the
Legislative body, up to this writing,
was the election of U. S. Senators and
the Capitol question, as it is called.
The first has beer removed by the cleo
ton of Hon. Ii. G. Davis for the long
and Hon. Hereford for the short term
in U. s. Senate. If the other, the Cap
itol question, was out of the way, the
body would be in fine trim for energet-
ic work
Perhaps our people would like to
know something of the personale OF the
two bodies. We do assure you that
for material requisite to a make up Of
good Legislature, sll the essential ele-
ments are at hand. Energy and capac-
ity largely preponderates-there is more
than ordinary intelligence ditfused
throughout the body, and occasionally
an outcropping of genuine eloquence.
We were struck with the readiness in
debate of Senators Turner, Dennis and
Johnson, and the torcible utterance OF
your county man, Z. w. Wilson, and
j. Ferguson of the House We men,
ton these especially, because it happen
ed to be our privilege to hear them.
There is one thing noticeable about
this body, that is there does not seem
to be desire either TO make or listen
to buncombe speeches the members
really act as though they design work,
all to their credit.
Our representatives, Butler, Cross and
Hoof, are always in place, watching all
legislation, and no county of the State
can boast of more yigilant, active, earn
est representatives than ours.
Senator Butler is here just as he is at
home, prudent and cautious, virtues to
be commended. His caution has been
misconstrued by some 10 be timidity
how mistaken in their man. When he
knows he is right, and feels prepared,
he will strike at the right time and
place, commanding at the same time
the respect of his adversaries and chal-
longing the admiration of his friends.
The great scheme for establishing m
Agricultural College i'll Jefferson, meets
with universal approval, There is no
uncertain sound coming from all parts
of the State this great interest is Ge
handing proper recognition, and feel.
ing as they do the necessity of special
education, they are determined that this
enterprise shall not fail. Jefferson, the
great centre of our fertile valley, is con-
coded to be the best point at which to
establish the College.
We have no State Chemist This
College will supply this great want of
our farmers, and that too without cost
to the State. AS matters now are, no
chemist to analyze the foreign fertlli-
zeIs, for while thousands of dollars are
yearly expended, and no College in our
State to prepare the farmers to avoid
this terrible strain upon his exer:ions,
such state of facts seems deplorable.
The bill before the Legislature asks 10
money from the State, it on y asks for
100000 worth of public lands, which
may be given the State by the general
government, for Agricultural Colleges.
This land is yet to be secured from the
Government but it is thought that Ag-
ricultural interests will receive, by prop
er effort, the attention of Congress, and
that they are disposed to donate public
lands for the purpose.
l notice your valuable paper lying
upon the desk of our representatives,
and without extravagant compliments,
permit me to say that it is eagerly read.
Truly Yours, BERKELEY.