Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1881-01-08
Washington. DC. Dec. Q, 80.

dSnlDglOn. IL. \. l'tN. -, CV.
Editors of the Free Press Congress has
enlivened Washington to, perhaps, greater
degree than is usual. The reaction from
theexcitemcnt attending the campaign lei
us completely PROSTATE here, and more
quiet time than that succeeding the election
until Congress convened has perhaps never
been witnessed.
There is so much telegraphel and written
20 the metropolitan papers about public
affairs that anything might say in relation
to them would necessarily be stale and un-
profitable to you. | have therefore con-
cluded to refer only to matters Of local con-
cern to the people of West Virginia.
The bold physical characteristics and ex-
isting railroad system OF our State maxi
Washington city the theatre for many Of il.
great political manGuvers as well as II.
business enterprises. During the last wee
we have been adorned by the presence Of a.
the prominent democratic candidates To-
United States Senator, and not aiew Of then
factors Of the House Of Delegates and th'
Senate. The controversy Is waxing hot, and
therefore propose TO discuss it.
The position of United States Senator i
the.highcst dignity in.the gift of the State
The recipient Of this place should in ever
substantial particular represent the princi
pies Of his people. His heart ought 20 be
with them in their effort 10 make their poll
tical philosophy as broad as the Union;-
and all his energies ought to be devoted e
such devel0pmentOf of their material resource
as will add most to their prosperity ant
progress. .s9To do this in the Capitol Of o
great nation like this, both ability and ex-
perence are absolutely essential. A Stat
should never carelcs5ly discard 4 iaithiu
and efficient. Senator. Before such an cx-
pertinent is tried there should besubssantia
evidence that his successor will be NOR
potent to accomplish the ends Of his ofiic
than himself | have stated in the above
what. believe, will stand, without denial.
but the misfortune is. that the peoples i'm
mediate representatives too frequently forge
the public welfare in promoting their owl
aims and interests: and rs a consequence,
the senatorial Office becomes substantially
the sport Of petty ambitions. If thepeol
would hold their representatives 10 a stTic
accountability for their votes in filling sue.
station. this dangerous delecs in our system
would be cured; for no man who had am
bition or who wished TO retain the supper
and respect Of his neighbOrs would thei
dare TO trihe with interests Of such magnl
tude to them. There may be added to thii
another feature that is now said 10 entei
into the control Of the disposition OF suci
public fayOrs: Times are 50 sadly out Of
Joint that the impression prevails that Le-
gislators are b u ht b do the beaest Of
capital. This is ir,qncntiy inIcTcu Tor ID,
reason that the well-known desire OF their
constituencies are openly dcted. ! do not
believe that this can occur 70 any apPrecia-
ble extent in our moral and physical health
giving State. ANY man directly or indi-
Tectly under the influence Of mOaopolies,
corporate or individual, is incapable Of pro-
perly representing democratic principles, OF
properly advancing the material welfare Of
the people do not wish 70 be understood
as personally hostile to such men, for they
are generally men Of great energy, but their
relations to society are such that the public
welfare necessarily becomes q secondary
consideration. Such men when in place are
through their associations and interests es-
pecially hurtful to undevelOped countries.
II their alliances are with existing railroads
thev are hostile 10 competition IN carrying,
and are therefore hostile to farther railroad
building. in favor Of preserving such rates
against the producer IS their greed may
dictate and also in favor Of maintaining q
monopoly in the transportation Of minerals
10 the seab0ards and the manufactures. In
the first instance, in such country they are
necessarily the antagonists Of the farming
interest, for the more competition in carry
ing the more reduction in rates. In the
I second instance, they are the foe Of the de-
velopment Of mineral resources in which
our State is so richly blessed, for the reason
thattheir development IS impossible without
facility for transportation to market
West Virginia has more 10 tempt capital
( if properly represented by her Put lie men
than any other equal geographical area On
the continent. Lying almost at the gate.
ways of the commerce of the world hel
mineral resources are conceded by the few
who know her to be almost boundless il
extent and illimitabls in value. If sh'