The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-02-20

f,ne wear % Six mont 20
tiIeat REDUCTION % Clubs. Bend for sample copy
-- FRRw, CAMPBELL S HART,
wheeling, ": Va.
tt,ro,od Al tho postnfice Of Wheeling, v. Va, a.
n railroads In west virginia.
When a great party, already in control
in West Virginia, nominated for Governor
man who had made his prelimina.
~ campaign on an ayowed hostility
10 railroads, there was much unfayor;
able comment outside Of the State as well
asinit. Men who took no interest what
ever in our politics wondered whether q
young State, 30 richly endowed and 50
poorly supplied with facilities for its de-
yelopment, would put the rope about its
own neck and string itself up for the mere
fun Of making demagogue Governor.
When we say that the nomination o.
such a man was in itself hurtul to the
State, we say what thousands Of men o.
lis own party believed then and believe
now. This blundcr OF party was follow
ed by the graycr blunder Of the people
the same Thousands OF Democrats prefer
ing TO cut their State rather than to GU
the head of their State ticket.
1t may be said that the other side made
the mistake OF confronting Wilson with 81
unpopular man. Judge Maxwell coule
not AXE himself over for the occasion
lie Is too high.minded and honorable
man TO seek popular favor through tile
demagosue's arts. But this may be sale
Of Judge Maxwell, that while he stand
wei! with men who labor with their hand
for a livelihood, his election would no
have been interpreted as menace to cap
!, ital already in tile State and warning t
other capital that West Virginia wants NJ
outside assistance to help on her develop
ment.
Observe q very early result Of the cleo
ton Of demagogue to be Governor o
West Virginia. Encouraged by his sue
IS, prcsuming that the sentiment Of The
S ateis in harmony with him, there Isl
savage assault all along the railroad line
indeed along the whole line of industrial
development. Mining bills are throw
into the Legislature against which the Goa
operators protest and which til
miners themselves do not want
Measures arc concocted which neye
could be carried into effect or
made effective would strangle West Viz
g;nia's progress in its infancy. In sup
port Of these measures the speeches Of tin
Goyernor.elest are quoted, and something
is made OF The fact that the people hay'
chosen this man TO rule over them-thi
man whose own railroad bill would hay!
closed up the mines Of the Kanawha Val
lev and left the miners without employ
ment.
The ISTELIIdENcEg does not doubt tn
right Of Congress to regulate commerce
between the States and to abate many 0
the evils OF which complaint is just,
made; though we do not suppose tina
Congress can force every railroad to trca
every shipper without exact justice
When single State undertakes to regu
late railroad traffic the country over ]
aims at an impossible thing, though !
may very easily place 1t own people q
great disadvantage. Legislation must b.
reasonable and practical or it is a waste o
words and money and may do infinite
damage.
TSsre are some very captivating provi
stons in the bill which Col. Ben Wilson
is pressing; but 1t will be sorry day TO
West Virginia when she enacts so IN
wise and illiberal law. II executed IL
letter and spirit such law would un
doubtedly hurt the railroads; but this Il
not compensation enough for measure
which would hurt the State more. w
have no idea that the way shippel
would be allowed to get an!
great benefit from it. The railroad
companies-the few that are here-beint
thus set upon would be in mood for re
taliation, and they would find way L
make the people Of this State sick OF TIT
Job. The INTRlLloRNcgR underestimate
neither the value to this State Of tho rail
roads nor the very great power for harm
which inheres in their peculiar business.
There are certain principles Of justice
often discussed in these columns, which
ought to be laid down by Congress and b,
every State iorthe government Of common
carriers. Railroads ought to be willing t.
submit to reasonable control, and /
they are unwilling they should DO made
10 submit Notwithstanding. There is little
wisdom, however, in people putting upor
any interest hardships certain TO return Y
plague the inventors. Such measure il
Colonel Ben Wilson's bill, now in the
hands Of the House Judiciary Committee
Some Proverbs.
Il IL NJ