The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1884-08-11

"Gatb," writing Of the marvellous wealth
hidden away in the wilderness Of West Viz
ginis, makes these striking suggestions,
which VIC take at random from his letter !:
(l.) The railroad which We spend 80
much OF our time abusing is the angel to
open upthis wilderness.
(2.) Almost every penon with knowl.
edge Of mineral resources, who has en-.
tered West Virginia, has returned very
sanguine OF its future, provided the political
conditions can be made reasonable.
80 Where the manufacturing Bystem is
allowed TO continue without insane jeal.
ousy, much Of which Is II remnant Of the
old Secession spirit, railroads will ascend
such rivers rs the Big Sandy and the Guy.
andotts and cross over into North Carolina.
az Noth!rg will civilizs so like the man
uiactures. Wh.rever they have gone ano.
Their spirit has come over the society.
~ /. is unhappily true that railroad
companies are not always above reproach.
Sometimes they discriminate againat indi.
viduals, sometimes against communities.
All discrimination is unfsir, and in good
time it is to be hoped that the people may
through lawful methods come to better
understanding with these great forces with
out which modern progress ia impossible.
Its aiso and quite Us unfortunately true
that wherever a railroad raises its head
somebody is ready 10 hit it, sometimes for
areal grievance, sometimes fol- an e1sgger.
ated grievance, often for grievance which
does no. exist. Generally the railroad Is
hit in way which makes the remsdy
worse than the disease, and ssme-
times, in wrath as blind, the
monster" is missed altogether. A
great deal OF good timeia spent abusing the
railroad, sometimes in one way, sometimes
in smother. The recent Democratic State
Convention spent enough of its time in
this NAY to nominate for Governor man
who had made his campaign by the abuse
Of railroads. The convention took up his
cry and wrote its full endorsement on the
railroad abuseI's back. Yet tho railroad
is the angel to open up this wilderness Of
West Virginia which nature has made rich
almoHt "beyond the dreams OF svarice." It
Is not a wise or patriotic party which
makes SO mad an attempt 10 turn back the
hande.
(2) The resources Of West Virginia are
commanding attention. 1t is gone to the
world that this young Slate, 80 poor in
money and population, is really rich in all
that mskes State populous and great
the raw material for the most profitable
classes OF manufacture, admirable sites for
manufacturing towns and cities, and am.
pie water.power. But this is not enough.
"The political conditions must be made
reasonable" a State governed by party
which does not respect the Constitution
and the laws OF its own making, which
squanders the revenues, misuses its school
tund, pilea up debt in. defiance Of law, Jug
giles the values OF real and personal property
to conceal It's delinquencies-which,
in short, conducts the aGsirs Of the State in
partisan waatefulnees- such State govern
ment repelB capital and hurts every inhabi.
tant Of the State. There can DO but little
progress with such political conditions. It
is for the people to alter these conditions,
and this they can do with their ballots.
Their is no other way.
ST. Tho Democratic nominee for
Governor has raised the black flag against
corporations, whether formed for mining,
manufacturing or transportation. By
nominating man Of such views md pur-
pos,H the Democratic party Of West Viz
ginia has enlisted under his black asg. IN
this dsy great enterprises are promoted by
corporations. West Virginia mus invite,
not repel, capital in whatever form 1t may
come. Mining and railroads, manufactures
and railroads, move together. Withrail,oads
a dozen Wheeliues will spring up in West
Virginia on spots more favored than
Wheeling-where splendid forests Of hard |
woods, where coking coal and iron and |
limestone are found within easy reach. |
The railroad will bring population and |
money to unpeopled wilds, and this |
means progressive and cultivated people.
"Gath's" suggestions arc very peril.
nent. They como at time when the peo.
pie aIe thinking, and when they are about
to have an opportunity to act. Not every
man can build q railroad, but every man
can fsy BY hia vote that he wants railroads
and mines and manufacturer. Speaking
with one voice the people Of West Virginia
can cay that they sre for. progress.
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