Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-03-01
THE ADDRESS OF WELCOME

|
DR.. Logan thsn came forward and said:
Hr President and Gentlemen of the COHreR-
ton
TO a convention of business men it
might seem sufficient that should express
in az few words as possible a formal but
cordial welcome.
/ feel sure, however, that the Chamber
OF Commerce Of the city Of Wheeling,
which / now have the honor to represent,
would not be satisfied with mere for
mality.
You ara here to, day in acceptance Of an
inyitalion extended by the Chamber to
devise ways and means to promote the
growth and prosperity of the State. Your
response TO that invitation has been made
with an emphasis of character and of num-
bers which demands a corresponding
EN- phasis OF welcome which do not feel
myself able to fully and appropriately ex-
press.
This is no ordinary assembly. 1t Is
think without precedent IN the history OF
the State.
| recognize here the faces OF men who, in
former years, have been prominent and
useful servants of the people in the Nation
al and State governments; also OF 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, of trades and
labor organizations, representatives OF the
press, educators, farmers, mechanics, bank
eIs, merchants and others.
For the time being we have laid aside
our political differences and our partisan
prsjudices, and have assembled here with
the single purpose Of promoting our State
to that honorable position to which, by her
ample resources, we think she is fairly en-
titled.
Under these auspicious circumstances we
find reason not only for an emphasis to
our welcome, bat 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
to secure a better understanding OF our
mutual business relations and obligations.
Hitherto we have not thoroughly under
stood nor appreciated each other. Seem
ingly conflicting interests have at times
provoked local and sectional jealousies,
which have been harmful We need to
understand that we cannot develop West
Virginia by fighting each other IN legisla-
tive halls or elsewhere.
Ii West Virginia was to be simply an
agricultural State, like Kansas or Nebras-
ka, we would not need to consider here or
elsewhere the subject of mining or manu-
featuring. Ifshe was simply to be manu-
featuring State, like Massachusetts, or Con
necticut, We would not need to consider
the interests of mining or agriculture If
she was TO be simply mining State, like
Nevada, we would not need to trouble, our.
} selves about agriculture ur manufactures.
But West Virginia has ample resources
iu all these departments, and 1t she Is to
become wealthy aud prosperous they must
be developed harmonlously. There must
be no auimosities or parliality. No one or
more interests should BIZ allowed to oPpress
or unfairly embarrass others. Thev should
all grow up together like we!l-behaved
children, in the same well-ordered and
harmonious household.
! As an indispensable prerequisite to this
healthy growth We will do well to remem-
ber that we must have more railroads and
more money.
In the capacity in which | now appear,
: it might not be proper for me to speak for
the people of the state at large, but speak
, ing for the business men OF Wheeling, |
may truely say, that they feel themselves
greatly indebted to tine gentlemen who
; have been successful in the construction of
railroads which contribute directly and in
directly to the prosperity of Wheeling. We
: anticipate still greater benefits when pro-
posed liues and extensions now being con-
3 structed shall have been completed.
Some OF these lines are comparatively re-
mote from u.s. Yet ali have opened up
avenues of trade, which our merchants and
manufacturers have been quick to culti-
vate.
We feel that every additional mile of
railroad which is built in West Virginia
creates a want which Wheeling is able
and willing to supply. And il Wheeling
is thus benefited by railroads, how much
greater are the benefits which accrue to the
people living on the line of these roads.
have referred to these enterprises, not
for the sake of paying compliment to the
man who have sncce siully carried them
forward, but tO commend their public
spirit and enterprise, and encourage others
10 follow their example. have referred to
them also in order 10 emphasize the state
ment that we cannot afford to quarrel or
haYgle with the people who propose TO
build our railroads. We need not only to
be inst, but we must be prudently gener-
ous 10 those who are wiling TO tnrnish the
capital and enterprise which are indispen
sable to the rapid development Of our re-
sources.
Senator Camden in an able letter pub
lished q few days since referred to Wheel
ing as "the Chief commercial and manutsc-
turing Gty OF the State"
Governor Wilson in an address made
some months since, referred to Wheeling
a. "plucky little city, illustrating by her
example the possibilities Of West Virgin a
with corresponding enterprise"
l have not quoted these gentlemen in
any spirit of bossting or vain glory. The
fact is that for some time we have not
been fully satisfied with ourselves, and
have been chidipg each other for not max
ing more Ispid progress in planting and
supporting more diversified industries.
We have lately taken new lease Of life
and hopeful activity, and are glad TO say,
but not in the spirit of bOasting, that We
are moving forward and we want you to
go along with us.
We are glad that you are here 20 see
and Judge for yourselves. We hope that |
you will improve the opportunity which |
Will be sHordsd you TO visit our steel |
plants and blast fannsses aSr nail mills !
and glass manufactures and potteries; our /
Wholesale and retail warehouses, and other |
establishments which l have not time to |
mention.
We are anxious you should do this lpr |
two reasons. First, that you mag eacqtr
where. as occasion may suggest. I've
need your encouragement, and modestly
think we dessrvei it. Second, that you mag,
AZ suggested by Governor Wilson, form
some idea OF the possibilities OF West VIZ
Oipia under such generous treatment IS
will rapidly develop her rich resources.
/ in C5aciusioa permit RE to say, that al
though We ara sitaaten l.. s SoTRgT 81 the
State ws feel that cur interests are IN
timately identified with yours. The
measure of your prosperity Is proportion
ateIv the measure OF ours. Had we thought
or fslt otherwise, We would not have IN
vited yoa to this Convention. We are
willing aud anxious To co operate with
yo1, ard to cherish with you that whole,
some Spirit OF State pride, which VIII
stimulate Us all 10 vigorous e4Orts ioF ReT
advancement.
Mr.. President and gentlemen, We have
yreat faith that the measures You ioau-
Sprats here will lead to gratifying practical
Pstnlts. aud that We shsll soon rejoice in