The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-03-01

| lore tne hnflek ot me iron car. ne eG'
presSsd the hope that the convention
would bO harmonious, and that politics,
sectional and personal feeling might all
be loot sight Of, q sentiment which Was
applAuded to the echo.
TIE ADDREss oP wELcoME
DR.. 7. H. Logan, President Of the
Wheeling Chamber Of Commerce, was
then introduced. After the SpplAuse with
which he was greeted had subsidized, be
spoke as follows:
NJ. Pr1iddli GSd GhloI>A Of ~ oORrdiiOa;
To q Convention Of business men Il
pTeSs in as few words rs possible formal
bat cordial welcome,
feel sure, however, that the Chamber
Of Commerce Of the city Of Wheeling,
which nov have the honor 10 represent,
would not be BAtuAed with 4 mere for.
mAlity.
You are here to-day In acceptance Of an
invitation extended by that Chamber to
devise ways and means 10 promote the
growth and prosperity Of the State. Your
response 10 that invitation has been made
with an emphasis Of character and ol
numbers which demands corresponding
emphGsiB Of welcome which do not feel
myself able to lulIy and appropriately ex.
preos.
This is no ordinary assembly. It ls l
think without precedent In the history Of
the State.
l recognize here the IAces Of men who.
In former yeArr, have besn prominent and
useful servants Of the people in the Ma.
tionAl and State governments; also oil
men who are now filling places Of honor
and trust In both.
Here are representatives Of railroad
and transportation companies, Of mining
and manufacturing companies, ol trades
and labor organizations representatives
Of the press, educators, farmers, meChan'
les, bankers, merchants aud others.
For the time being We have laid aside
our political differences and our partisan
preiudices, and have assembled here with
the slngls purpose oi promoting our State
70 that honorable position 10 which, by
her ample resources, We think abe 10 lair |
ly entitled.
Under these RuSplclous circumstances
We End reason not only for m emphasis |
TO our Welcoms, but also an occasion for
hearty congratulations, both Of which we
cordially extend TO you.
We are glad to welcome you, because Of
the opportunity which your presence |
affords 10 secure better understanding ot
our mutual business relations and obllga.
.ionL Hitherto We have not thoroughly |
understood or appreciated each other.
Seemingly conflicting interests have at
times provoked local and sectional jeGl. |
.-kIak baaa ha1,..NEal Ua
need to understand that we cannot de. |
ve!op West Virginia by fighting each
other in legislative halls or elsewhere.
II West Virginia was 10 be simply an
agricultural State, like Kansas or Nebras-
ks, we wolld not neet 10 consider here or
elsewhere the subject Of mining or manu-.
featuring. II she was to be simply man.
utAc.uring State, ,like Massachusetts or Con-
necl.cut, We would not need to consider the
interests ol mining or agriculture. II che
was TO be simply 4 mining State. like Ne.
yadA, We would not need to trouble our.
selves about agriculture or mAnuiScsurGs
But WOSt Virginia has ample resources
in all these departments, and II she is TO
become wealthy aud prosperous they must
be developed hHmonlously. There must
be no Rnimoaties or pArtiality. No one or
moro interests should be allowed to op.
prees or unfairly embArrAss others,
They should all grow up tog ethsr like well
behaved children, In the same well.or-
dered aud harmonious household.
As an indispensable prerequisite to this
healthy growth We will do we'll 10 remem-
Der that va must have more railroads and
more money.
In the capacity in which I now appear,
Il might not be proper for me TO speak for
the people Of the State ut tlRrge, but speak
ing for the business men ot Wheeling, |
may truly say. that they feel Themselves
greatly indebted 70 the gentlemen who
have been successful In the construction
Of railroads which contribute directly and
Indirectly TO the prosperity Of Wheeling,
We anticipate still greater benefits when
proposed lines and extensions now being |
constructed shall have been completed.
Some Of the6s lines are comparatively |
remote from Us. Yet all have opened up |
avenues Of trAdo, which our merchants
and manufacturers have been quick 10 |
cultivate.
We feel that every additional mile Of
rSilroAd which 10 built In West Virginia, |
creates q want which Wheeling Is able |
and willing to supply. And II Wheeling |
is thus benefited by railroads, how much |
greater are the benefits which accrue 10 |
the people living on the line Of these
roads.
IhRys referred to these enterprises, not
for the sake Of paying q compliment to |
the msn who have successfully carried |
them forward, bat to tocommend their pub.
lie spirit and enterprise, and encourage |
al 10 fntlaur NhatR a-nNuAla I haV
referred 10 them also, In order to en-.
phasZs the statement, that We cannot AZ |
ford To quarrel or haggle with the people |
who propose TO buildo railroads. We
need no. only to be Just, but We must be
prudently generous TO those who are
willing 70 furnish the capital and enter. |
prise, which are Indispensable 10 the rapid |
development Of our resources.
Senator Camden In an able letter pub |
lished lew days since referred to Wheel
ing as "the chief commercial and mAnuiAc.
turing city Of the State"
Governor Wilson, in an address made |
some months since, referred 10 Wheeling |
as "plucky little city, illustrating by her
example the possibilities Of West Viz.
giniA with corresponding enterprise"
l have not quoted these gentlemen In
any spirit oil boAsting or vain glory. The
fact Is that for come time We have not
been fully satisfied with ourselves, and
have been chldinR each other for not max.
ing mere rapid progress In planting and
supporting more diyeraihed industries.
We have lately taken new lease Of life
and hopeful activity, and are glad 10 say,
bu. not In the spirit Of boasting, that we
are moving forward and We want you to
70 along with ug.
We are glad that you are here to soc and
Judge for yourselves. We hope that you
will improve the opportunity which will
be afforded you 10 visit our steel plants
aud blast furnaces, our nail mills and
glass manufacturer and potteIleg, our
Wholesale and retail warehouses, and other
establishments which have not time 10
mention.
We are anxious you should do this for
two reAsons. Fret, that you may encour.
age uS by your approval, hero or else
wheTo, as occasion may suggest. WenBed
your encouragement, and modestly think
we deaerVe 1t, Second, that you may,
Ns suggested by Governor Wilson, form
some idea oi the possibilities Of West
Virginia under such generous treatment
40 will rapidly develop her rich resource6-
In conclusion permit me to say, that
although We are situAted In q corner Of
the State, We feel that our interas,s are In.
limAtsly Identified with yourB. The meas.
ure Of your prosperity 10 proportionAtely
the measure Of ours, Had We thought or
islt otherwise, We would not have invited
YOU 10 this Convention. We are willing
and anxious TO cooperate with you, and
70 cherish with you that wholesome spirit
Of State pride, which will stimulate US all
70 vigorous efforts for her advancement.
Mr.. President and gentlemen, We have
great faith that the measures you inAu.
gurale here will lead TO gratifying practical
Pesulls; and that We AhAll soon rejoice In