Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1888-03-20
State Development.

of the late Convention, held at Wheel
ing on the 29th'o of February, for the
purpose of attracting the attention OF
people beyond our borders to the
resources of West Virginia. That
body vas a representative one, and
brought together gentlemen of all
shades of political, opinions who were
willing, in the promotion of the inter
ests of the State, to lay aside polit-
zeal differences.and' unite heartily in
devising the bestmeth0ds of utilizing
the neutrality-suspicious. advantages
which West Virginia possesses for
building up a great and powerful COM
monwealth. All recognized that this
work should not he longer delayed,
but that earnest concert of action be-
tween diversified interests should be
effected with a view to the most eff
ieient work in the future.
There was no disposition so far as
we could see, to give undue prom
inence to one subject over another
All seemed to have n object in view,
and that was so to harmonic the eff
forts of all classes of our citizens as
to bring about the best results for
the common good. There were no
jealousies or fears at any time man.
ifested, lest II particular interest
should obtain advantage over another.
A proper zeal, it is true, was shown
by those identified with peculiar re-
sources, in presenting their values
and showing the important part they
might be made to play in the success
full development of the State. This
indeed was one of the main objects
of the convention-to hiring together
gentlemen of intelligence who were
connected with special and
who could, therefore, furnish accurate
information concerning them. But
in doing this there was no disposition
evinced to disparage others.
But while the best spirit and tenn
per were thus shown, every one felt
that the labors of the convention
would accomplish but little unless fol-
lowed by organized effort throughout
the State, and especially through local
associations, which should become
auA:liaries to. the central organization
effected by the convention.
1t will be remembered that the plan
adopted was to resolve the Conven-
tor then assembled into "the West
Virginia Immigration and Develop
ment Association, said association to
have in each county a County Aux
Hilary, to he organized as soon as prac-
ticable by the representatives of each
county in this Convention, the ne
cessary steps to be taken to organize
the counties not here represented"
The officers of Observation-Disclosures
sist of a President, one Vice-Pres-
ident from each Senatorial District.
and a SeGretary-any five to consti-
tute a quorum. The President and
Vice-Presidents are required to rem
der their services without pay.
A Board of Immigration was also
established which shall have an Office
at some central point, and shall have
a salaried secretary and other ne
cessary assistants, who shall he under
the immediate direction of the Pres
ident, acting for the Association and
the Board.
The duties of the Board were de-
fined to be to I" IL to be collected,
printed and circulated such informa-
ton as will be likely to bring to the
State capital and immigration, and
within the limits of its funds. do in
its discretion such other things as may
tend to promote the objects of the As
ISOLATION. The Board of Immigra-
ton shall invite Iandholders to file in
its office, free of cost, such informa-
ton as intending purchasers would
desire, to the end that buyers may
be brought into communication with
Sellers"
In addition to these duties The
Board of Immigration shall prepare
and publish an annual report of re-
ceipts and expenditures and of its
general work.
To further the plan there was raised
and pledged by voluntary subscrip-
ton the sum of about So, ZOO. The
hope and expectation were INDUCED
that if the scheme should be c
full, in the hands of the organization
thus devised, the Legislature of the
State would furnish aid for its con-
tinuance. This subject is one to
which the attention of that body will
be called with more or less favor in
proportion to the C or failure
of those having in charge the asso-
citation organized by the convention
at Wheeling.
But as we have already intimated,
much will depend upon the local eff
fOrte of tho DoOpln tbrourh THAR Local