Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-03-01
HON. STEPHEN B. ELKINS.

A GIsat Addres, by Thoroughly Conf
dent Orator.
There were loud calls for Stephen B. FL
kins, and he came forward amid great sp-
plause. He said:
GESTLEMES:- Until this time no Or
ganized effort has been made TO bring to
the general attention Of this country and
Of Europe the intrinsic wealth Of West
Virginia. The State presents unusual op-
portunities and advantages TO the immi-
grant, mechanic, farmer, manufacturer,
business man aud capitalist. The local
press has done its work we'll, but in the
Language OF an illustrious queen, when Co
quoting with the wisest OF kingI, The
one half of the greatness was not told"
According to its area West Virginia is
the richest State in the Union in natural
resources, particularly in coal, iron ore
and timber, which furnishes the basis OF
so much wealth, and which goes 10 far
towards making country great and pros
porous. West Virginia does not need the
machinery of exaggeiation employed by
the modern boomer TO call attention 10 her
advantages They are apparent to the
casual observer. The beautiful scenery,
he<hful climate. inexhaustible mines Of
coal and iron ore, forests Of fine timber,
and fertile valleys, need only To be known
and understood TO draw within her borders
people seeking employment and homes,
business men, manufacturers and capital
ista desiring TO make Investments.
SITUATION AND PosITIoS IN THE UNION.
An impression exists that West Virginia
isa iaT-of Southern State, almost inac.
casible By ordinary lines of travel.
Wheeling, its most important city, is far
ther north than Philadelphia, and Cher.
lesion the Capital is on line but little
south Of Washington City.
With one arm the State reaches north
TO within 100 miles Of Lake Erie, with the
other it extends east 10 within 10 miles o
tide water at Baltimore and ca miles OF
the Capital Ofthe Great Republic. Two
thirds Of iis territory lies as lar north az
Ohio. West Virginia borders on the State
Of Pennsylvania l25 miles, il divided by
the Potomac river from the State of Mary
land for $50 miles, and by the Ohio river
more than 300 miles.
by rail West Virginia can he reached in
less than one hour from Pittsburg, in two
hours from Baltimore and Washington. in
five hours from Philadelphia, Columbus
and Cincinnati, in seven hours from New
York, and in fourteen hours from Chica0o
The State lies on the great highway from
the Atlantic Coast to the Mississippi Val.
ley. Two trunk lines Of railroad mass
through 1t from East TO West For The
population on the Atlantic seaboard. reach
irg from Philadelphia to Richmond The
natural and best route 10 the West Ia
through West Virginia. The old National
road, which in its day corresponded in
importance to the great Penn
syiVanla railroad Of to-day, was built
through what il now the territory of West
,Virginia. Lying on both sides Of the AL
leghany range Of mountains. the ststs
looks east and West and divides its trade
and commerce between the Mississippi VAL
Ley and the Atlantic seabcard. The situ-
alton makes il easy Of access from all the
great centers ofpopulation, and its position
N relation TO the whole country and its
markets aEs central, commanding and i'm,
portant:
POPULATION AND AREA.
The State has 81 counties, with Q popu-
alton of about 500 900. Sixty per cent Of
he working people In 1880 were engaged |
n agriculture
The AREA is "a, 750 square miles, more
han twice as large as the State ofMary-
and, two and half times a. large a Mass
ehusetst with 1900, 900 population, and
arger than Massachusetts,, New Jersey,
and Rhode Island combined.
The kingdoms Of Belgium and the Hets-
rlands have together Q population Of more
han IL, O00, 900 people. The areA of West