Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-02-27
and Senator Hollinrsxorth stand ON


8. State something else that would
bear on the question.
In the discussion before the Commit
tee aimed to show the Committe:
l.. That the Typographical conforma'
ton OF the county, by which 1t was di'
vided by three leading streams rising in
the western part OF the county and run
ming east to the Ohio river, divided 1t
into four strongly marked ridges, and
that the means of communication, the
railroads, were along the valleys formed
by the streams, and that the business OF
the county was rapidly drifting to these
lines of commerce and trade.
.. That the increase OF population aud
wealth in Belmont county during the
past thirty years had been confined to
the townships and towns along the lines
Of trade, while during a portion, II not
all Of that period, there had been an act
ual loss OF population in the other town
ships OF the county.
3. That One-iOurth OF the business
Of the Court OF Common Pleas during
the past four years was from Pultney
township; that two-thrds OF that busi-
ness was from the four leading railroad
townships, and more than three-iourths
of it from the townships on the railroatis
and south OF the G. o. railroad, and
would be much better accommodated at
Brllaire than it could be at st. Claims
vile.
t. That in the cases tried in the Court
of Common Pleas during the years 1878
and 1879, in which three or more wit
nesses were called, the aggregate mile
age allowed was over 44,OOO miles, and
that il these cases had been tried ut Bel
laire the mileage would have been only
IS, 900 miles.
5. That the influence OF the county
seat to aid in building up town or
trading point was entirely lost at st.
Clairsvile for want OF q cooperating
public spirit, or the enterprise ncces.
sary TO take advantage OF it to develop
business and trade. That il that inilu-
ence and the money and prestige which
should grow up under it were removed
To Bellaire, where spirit OF enterprise
already exists, il would become potent
factor in the development and growth
OF Il live, business city within the limits
of the county.
6. That 5000 people were asking for
the privilege OF exercising clearly de-
fined legal right 10 vote upon the propo-
sitiOn, and that there was no other way
by which it could be settled; that 1t
would remain constant source OF an.
npyance until submitted for decision, and
it was the dutyof the Legislature to grant
the request. II there were not Il clear
majority oi the people in favor OF re-
moval, there could be no removal, and
il there was such majority they ought
to he allowed TO control the matter.
The other side held:
That unless there was a great public
necessity for the removal, OF which the
Committee must be the judge, there
should be no law passed authorizing a
vote.
That there was no such necessity.
The county seat had been at st. Glars
vile since 1904, and had accommodated
the people. That the roads ot the coun-
~ had been made with reference TO ITS
continuance where 1t was, aud that
there were no roads, except railroads,
leading to Bellalre.
That two.thirds OF the people OF the
county were against removal, and the
agitation upon this question had been
kept up by few land and lot specuIa'
tors ut Bellaire.
That the county buildings were am
ply sufficient for the business OF the
county, and would last until the gentle
men who were agltating tins question
were in their graves.
That the removal would be an act OF
injustice to the people who had invested
their money in property at st. Glars
Vile, as it would greatly reduce the
value of such property. =,
The committee is an unusually intel
ligent one, and seemed to be anxious tC
GET at all the facts in relation 10 the sub
iccL | am satisfied the committee
intend to treat the subject with fairness
and Notwithstanding the prevailing dis
position among members vi the Leglsla
lure to eva.le the responsibility of de
Gliding questions oi this kind, so as tc
change or unsettlc the existing condition
of things, | believe the committee viii
report the bill back recommending it'
passage. OF course, | have no means o
knowing what the committee intends tC
do. and there will be no report made be
fore Wednesday next, but | think the
report will be favorable to us.
Mr.. Atkinson, in the House, does not
hesitate 10 express himself IN iavoT O
the passage Of the bill. He has been and
still is in favor Of the removal, but re-
grets that the agitation OF the question
Was not deferred until after the Presi
Dental election.
Mr. Hullingsworth Processes to stand
neutral upon this matter and VIII b'
governed in his action 10y the FACTS o
the case when il comes TO the Senate
lie will certainly give 1t lair treatment
The majority OF the members OF tn,
House are uncommitted, and their &C
ton will be determined pretty largely
by the report of the committee and the
Developments made when the matter
comes up for hearing upon the calen
dar, which perhaps will not be belor'
the 10Th OF March. Both sides have
some very warm friends in the House
and several speeches will be made OF
each side when 1t comes up Tor action
Two conflicting ideas are operating
and " i'll continue 10 do 50 until the ques
tion is disposed OF. The general dlsposi
ton to evade or dodge the responsibility
of changing OF disturbing the presen
status, and the recognized fairness OF tn,
proposition that the people who are dI
rectly interested in this matter ought 4
be allowed 10 settle a.
II after a full investigation OF the sub
iect the House passes the bill, thlni
| the Senate will not take the responsible
ity Of defeating it, unless the Senate
from this district encourages such action
think the work for Bellaire has beer
seasonably well done, bat u has lacke'
In experienced managers, and advocate
having state reputation and influence
while the other side, under such shEew'
j nnar.i.,ra as Major kennOa. Judy