Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1878-12-02
CHARLESTON LETTER.
GIORIES OF THE KANAWHA VALLEY
Signs of Prospirity-GOvernment Works
- Newspaper Troubles - What
of the State Capitol2
CORRESPONDENCE OF the Register.

There has been much written on inns
part of our little State, and OF Charles
ton in particular. The glOries OF the
Great Kanawha Valley have been the
fertile theme of throng of newspaper
writer's. Visitors not often, perhaps
never elsewhere, afflicted with the
caceothis scribendi, have sent out attrl-'
butes in its praise. Frequently these
sketches of its sell, climate, scenery,
farm products, and most OF all, the un-
bounded mineral resources OF the vast
mountains that skirt the fertile valley
on either side, have swollen into vol
ume of prodigious proportions. Butthe
ripe book on the great resources OF the
Third district has not yet been written.
1t is too early for such book as the
natural resources demand. Prophecy Is
not vet bold enough for the volnme
which is to come from the pen OF some
future author. Beyond all doubt
the Kanawha region Is the one
section of our State which
offers the best and highest inducements
to immigration. No section OF the State
is SO full OF rich promise to the seekers
of wealth or to those who desire to
found home and acquire unto them
selves the ease and comforts OF compc-
tency. The valley in its combination OF
qualities and attributes OF soil and
climate which await ordinary thrift and
industry to surround its people with the
circumstances Of a happy, fortunate,
generous and contented living, 1t Is
superior to any other section OF the
State. / had not concluded on such an
extensive preface when l began, but
like things We most love We dwell upon
the longest.
SIGNS OF PROSPERITY.
In Charleston your correspondent has
found much to be proud OF. First q
good old fashion hand-Shake with every
one. Second, the vast improvement
that is going on within the city limits.
There have been number Of new
buildings gone up within the past few
months, and those who now have lots
to improve, are doing so with right
good will and determination. The sign
'ior rent" is stranger in this city;
there's not tcnantable building
but what is occupied. The great de-
mand for dwelling houses has caused lot
owners to construct buildings on their
property.
Tie merchants claimthat they are do
ing much more prosperous business
than at any time since the panic Of IS.
which they attribute largely to the
speedy approach of better days among
the masses.
GOVERNMENT WORKS.
For some time past the work OF erect
ing locks and dams on the Great kanG-
wha above this city has been pro ;reSs-
ing slowly, except at lock No. 3, on
Paint creek, where the government
hands struck on the 18th OF October last
and remained out until the 18th OF No
yember. The trouble was brought about
bv the government discharging a num-
Der Of the wOrkmen, and by number
of the men striking with the dissatisfied
element. Some refused TO act, and con-
tinued on in their work, but were final
lv compelled to relinquish labor by
those who had either been discharged,
or by those who had struck. The work,
however, was resumed on this work
last Monday, and now moves smoothly
on, there being none OF the strikers re-
turned To labor.
Lock No. ), at Cabin Creek, is progress
ing, the abutment being finished; also the
Golfer dam for the construction OF the
pass. The Brownstown Works, on
Lock No. 3, is going ahead rapidly,
as it was the first contracted for and
will doubtless be completed during next
summer. All the material for this lock
and dam is being purchased rapidly 10y
Lieut.. Turtle, of the United States
Army, who was detailed to take full con-
troll of the governments interest on the
kanawha river.
NEWSPAPER TROUBLES.
This city is still well represented by
the public educators known as news
papers, The Gazette, Ledgts and Leader
still hold there beads above the news
paper seas, although the latter are not
as good as the former, it having the
largest support from the legal fraternity,
besides glOrying i'll a rather extensive
circulation and being the Democratic
paper OF the Third district since the
Courier went under. 1t is a certain fact,
that by next Tuesday the publication of
the Courier will be resumed, with Henry
). W"lker AT the editorial helm. With
this gentleman at the head OF the paper,
it will eventually come to the front
again, as Mr.. Walker is known as one
,-of the best editorial writers OF
the country. He can he
c..ustic or mild with his
pen, the sting OF which has been felt
most bitterly by the opposing party in
this section of the State. The Courier
will 60 to sale on the llth of December
and it is generally believed that Mr.
Walker will again get the controlling
interest in it.
WHAT OF TIE CAPITOL
No sooner had your correspondent
fairly settled on the first convenient lot
than came numerous questions in regard
to the State capital, Charleston bread
and meat, as it were. The majority OF
those with whom / have conversed APP
pear very respondent in regard to the
matter, giving it as their candid belief
that if the much vexed question should
be sprung, Charleston will lose, as it is
claimed that her representatives are not