Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-04-01

through the products OF agriculture,
and il is through them mainly that our
new war and other debts have been and
must be paid. II the farmers for
given wear should only raise enough for
their own support the consequences to
the other classes would be almost ruin
Gus; and if the crops should absolutely
fail for a year the ruin and the starva-
ton that would follow would be beyond
description.
We have rich gold and silver mines,
inexhaustible iron, coal, copper, anu
lead mines, great salt and petroleum
wells, large forests OF timber; but none
of these, nor all combined, are equal 10
agriculture. Not only are the people OF
the United States interested in Amerl-
can agriculture and dependent upon 1t
for support, for revenue, and for pros
Derity, but the whole world, because
America is the granary OF the world.
In the United States more general
and better interest is being awakened
in agriculture; It's importance Is fast
becoming better understood and appre'
ciated; the people are beginning TO
learn and understand that mainly 10
agriculture, now and in the great future,
We must look for our prosperity
as nation. 1t is not so much
discredited and abandoned for the
overcrowded profession aud cities, for
mercantile pursuits, and for clerkships
now as in times past.
Senator DAVIS goes on to give some
very interesting statistics of the value OF
the products of the country, and re-
ferring to West Virginia, says:
And now, Mr.. President, l trust |
will be pardoned for turning aside and
briefly referring to the State which |
have the honor in part to represent,
whose mineral and agricultural re-
sources are so great and SO varied. They
are largely undevelOped as yet, the great
er part ofthem lying dormant; but when
the treasures OF this mountain State are
unearthed, rs they must in time be,
they will astonish the world. In min
erals, such as coal, iron and salt, West
Virginia stands unrivaled, with the one
exception, Pennsylvania. In the pro-
duction OF oil, which has become one OF
our largest industries and one Of our
most productive sources of national rev.
enue, West Virginia and Pennsylvania
are entitled to all the credit.
West Virginia has also agricultural
and other resources of which the general
traveller, in passing through the State
over our principal thoroughfarcs, has
but an imperfect idea. The Baltimore
and Ohio and Chesapeake and Ohio, the
principal railroads which pass through
the State in their search for the lightcSt
GRADES follow closely the streams in their
deeply sunken channels cut through the
mountain gorges, and the stranger see
ins nothing, comparatively speaking,
but wild, rugged, and picturesque scene
ry. would naturally have erroneous I'M
preSsiOns rs to soil, topography, and re-
sources.
Prot. Maury, in his work on West Nir-
ginia, says that the large proportion Of
the State is fortunate in having a loan
soil, composed of clay and sand mixed
in about equal proportions. 1t may be
said To bc the characteristic soil OF the
State.
The bottom lands along most OF the
rivers are widely celebrated for their
productivencss The mountain and hill
sides and even the tops are unsurpassed
for grazing, Some Of the finest and lar
geSt cattle sold in the eastern markets
are from West Virginia.
Indeed, the State presents great advan-
tages to the successful prosecution Of
farming and other industries. We are
progressing intellectually and morally.
There is no State in the Union that has
made greater advanccSin schools within
the lase decade. Our taxes are about as
low as any State in the Union.
He refers in detail to the mineral re-
sources, to the coal fields, salt and pc
troleum, nails, iron, &c, and concludes
very interesting review of the subject
with the following conclusions:
The general government has from
time 10 time found warrant in the Con-
Stitution To- aid directly and indirectly
other industries OF minor importance,
Then why not seriously take in hand
the great underlying and fundamental
interest upon which all others depend,
and do what may be- properly done To
promote and encourage it? All other
interests and industries in comparison
are subordinate and insignificant.
The eXtrcmitieS should not be- nurSCd
and nourished and the body and heart
remain abandoned and neglected.
There is 4 feeling in the minds Of the
people that there is too much political
agitation and contention in Congress
and out Of it; that too much effort Is
made To- gain and maintain party suprC-
macy while weightier matters and the
things that make for peace and tend TO
promote prosperity are neglected.
The country and the business inter-
eSts want quiet and rcpOsc. Progress,
success, and prosperity such as never
blessed another nation or people are
within our grasp; our manufacturing,
commercial and agricultural supremacy
in the world is no longer doubtful, hut
certain and assured il only proper effort
is made.
Just Ia what extent and in whatman
ner and by what methods the great az
ricultural interests OF our entire Cuun-
try may be best promoted, it will hc the
duty upon the adoption OF this resolu-
ton of the Senate and House Commit
tees on Agriculture 10 determine, and
have no doubt they will bring 10 the
subject that careful and thoughtful con-
sidcration which il So Justly merits.
France has very recently appointed
through her Department OF Agriculture
acummiSSion Of able and distinguished
persons To examine into the subject al
agriculture, and to report what should
he done To advance and encourage il.
In urging the attention OF Congress to
agriculture, | do not wish Ia dctraCt
from the importance OF mining, manu-
featuring, snd commerce. The latter rs
pccially ought to be considered 10y Con-
grrSS. Between 1880 and 1860 Amcri-
can bottoms or vessels carried fully -
per cent OF our commerce; now only
about - per cent. This ought not 10
hc, and a remedy is needed.
THERE are some things now coming To
light under Senator WALLACE'S manage
ment which Mr. TELLER would never