The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1877-05-12
Clarksburg and the Capital.

legislation and an clement of section
al irritation and discord ever since
the formation of the State, at the
expense of many thousands of dollars
to the public, and the waste of much
valuable time of the Legislature. 1t
has suggested and afforded the occa-
sion to designing schemers of both
political parties to fern combinations
to the detriment of the best interest
and advancement of the State The
present plan offers the opportunity
of defnate solution and settlement
of long vexed question, and would
relieve us from unnattering comments
from abroad upon the Inherent char
acter of our seat of government. If
this is secured it is a consumation
which should command the approval
of the people.
The greatest convenience and econo-
my to the greatest number being the
criterion, those who favor ClarlIsbueg
believe these conditions would be
best met by location there. This
view is sustained by the fact that it
is near the geographical center of the
State, in teeming, fertile and pros
perious region, the center of the
largest and densest population, to
whom are afforded, direct. access by
424 miles of railroad to this point
Her direct communication by Rail
road line extends through eighteen
counties, with an aggregate popula-
ton Of 23S,010, whilst that of Charles
ton passes through seven counties,
with an aggregate population of 81,
925, giving an excess and advantage
of direct access of 156,0S5 people
more to be accommodated in favor of
Clarksburg over this competitor, and
economy too obvious for comment
The water communication possessed
by Charleston in its season, is also
available to Clarksburg by her rail
road lines to the Ohio River In this
region are sustained many industries
whose products are used and consum-
ed by our own and many other States.
Situated, as this point is, on the West
Fork of the Monongahela river, at the
head of slackwater communications
will afford ready transportion for these
and other produts.
In the prevalent discussions of
this question, there has been much
talk and speculation as to what action
| Clarksburg is going to take. She is
not going to make the capital ques-
ton of purchase, but is willing to
! pursue liberal course in a generous
and honorable emulation with the
other competing points. She is will
ing to appropriate site for the cap
ital building, but feels reluctant to
| designate such site at the present, as
1t might not agree with the views
OF a commission appointed for the
purpose of making such selection,
but is willing to give a sufficient
guaranty that whatever site may be
chosen will be appropriated free of
expense to the State. The pledges
guaranteed by the names of the most
substantial citizens to this effect, are
an ample assurance of the fact. She
will also encourage the Weston a.
West Fork Railroad, now in process
OF construction to this place, by a
satisfactory and liberal subscription
to that improvement, for which she
will incur no debt, but will pay in
hand when required. She also, with
ouf county, will aid the people of
Marion in their propositionto continue
this line to that county, which, with
the assistance of Monongalia, CON
templates its early completion to the
Pennsylvania line, and she also has
stroug desire to see the line com
pleted to the Kanawha Valley, and
/
will aid in efiecting that desirable
object she sees in this line a sub
stahtial benefit to her interests, in
dependent Of the Capital question.
This election is more than ordin-
arily important, affecting not only
intimately the interests of the pres
ent voters, but the convenience and
economy of the people of the State
for all time to come An unsatisfac-
tory and disadvantageous location
might result in vexatious recurrence
OF the question in future legislatures
and constant annoyance to the peo-
pie, who have already had smrfeit
OF legislative discussion Of the sub
ject. 1t is therefore hoped and urg-
ed that all, on the 7th of August.
will consider it their personal duty tn