Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-02-25
From Hon Is. +. Martin.

GRAFTON, W. VA, February rs.
To tie Editor # he Register:
SRI have jlst received yours OF the
18th inst, calling my attention 10 the
action of the Chamber of Commerce on
the lst OF this month and requesting a
reply.
When l first saw aud read the proceed
inSs of the Chamber of Commerce l waa
impressed with tue belief that it WAS a
step in the right direction. Since then |
have watched tine letters written, and
YOUR editorials in reference 10 the proposed
business meeting, and now have 10 doubt
of the result at oil. You will have a large
meeting Of earnest, represeutltiye menfrom
every part of the STATE, unjtiag IN friendly
council for the public good. / am also i'm
pressed With the idea that this meeting
will accomplish very great coed. From
this time Oh our people will take advanced
ground in the race Of progress; a new I'M
petus will be given to all kinds Of bust
ness and trade. IL will be found
in the near future, to have been the seed
sowing of an abundant harvest. l have
often said, and think it Is true, that we
have more of TIE elements Of good living
iu this State than can be found in the same
numbsr Of square miles in any other State
or Territory. We have pure air, a health
full climate, fertile lands, lneXhausable
mines Of mineral Of great variety and
value, pure water, 4 water power sufficient
10 run all the machinery necessary for q
dczel States, abundant timber of all kinds
and of the best quality. True, we may
not have mines OF gold and silver, but we
have what will give us 10 return all the
gold and silver we want. The sources OF
wealth in this State are varied and I'M
merse. Turn our vast coal fields, forests
of timber, iron, salt and oil into money, and
develop our vast resources, and the result
woUld astonish the world. But to work out
the best results we must have More Tai.-
roads, net working the State, that all these
great fields of wealth can be reached
aud utilized; that transportation to the
markets of the world may be c~heapened,
so that all the profits shall not be con
sumed in transportation to market. Hlth-
erto our energies, industries, n business
OF every kind, have been repreSstd, retard-
ed, discouraged in a great measure. Let
the railroads adopt a liberal and eneour-
aging policy, and thereby induce the ln-
yestment OF capital in various departments
of industry all ever the State, and we will
soon have the brain. muscle, and money
requisite to rapid growth and development
in our midst. Then, too. our young men
of pluck and energy will remain with US,
and not 90 to seek their fortunes else
where. There will no longer be 3 drain on
our population, but on the contrary, skilled
labor, capital, men of pluck and energy will
unite their fortunes with us, and assist In
developing End building up the State
There is little use in individuals and news
papers making an effort to BOOM the
State sud talk about its immense wealth
and boundleSs resources, unless the great
arteries of commerce shall 0hserfully and
heartily cooperate in the "bsom," and
assist in laying the foundations of CONNER
cial and business activities. / am glad to
see indications that orr railroads will soon
adopt a liberal and inspiring policy. II
will certainly pay them as well IS the psc-
pie of the State. Hearty cooperation, in.
telligeut and united effort, such as is con
templated by your Chamber Of Commerce
bl ACSOluIiOu Vi ISL Vi ILLS "Ohbh, WIN
indeed cause our State and people to start
upon = career Of prosperity hitherto un'
known among us. l believe in railroad
enterprise, and want them to succeed. They
have done much, Tut in my Judgment nigh
have done much more for the public good
as well as themselves By pursuing a policy
that vonld have set in motion active in
dustrial forces that would sooa utilize thu
resources Of the State, vhose possibilities
are wonderful and as yet comparatively
unknown. trust the meeting on the 29tf
will be characterized by harmonious ae
ton; that there may be o full and free in
terchange Of opinion, and that it will re
suit in lasting good to the people OF tn
State as well a. inspire new life and vigo
into all business and commercial indus
tries. l trust it may be my good fortune
and certainly q very great pleasure, to b
present on the occasion referred to. i am
Very respectfully,
B. F. MARTIN.