Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-02-28


that does not represent IS much capital
invested in West Virginia as the President
Of the State Immigration Society. AT
least each Of fifty names represents ten
times as great financial interests IS Col.
BIRDIE HART, and yet that gentleman
ssrenely Jumps them oil together as a
"band Of ward heeiers' and 'marplots."
To the light Of these facts, it does not
appear that Col BIRDIE HART was the
only man in Ohio county who showed sn
interest in the State immigration move
ment. He is certainly, however, the only
man who has belitIed the interest that
hundreds Of Others did take, in o,der to
magnify bis own self importance.
The REGISTER has never questioned the
sincerity with which Col. BIRDIE HART
entered the movement for a State Immi-
grafton Convention. Since he has se5 the
example in this paI ticular. By questioning
the sincerity Of one hundred gentlemen
from Ohio county, it is well to mention
one fact which shows the ludicrous small
ness Of a mind great in its own concsit.
7. is well known that Col. BIRDIE HART
expected to be made permanent President
Of the Convention He was on the stage
when the committee made i,a report Ex-
Senator CAMDEN, as one Of the most
prominent business men in the State, wac
chosen. Col BIRDIE HART Immediately
got mad aud declined to play. he wouldn't
slide on the other te lows cellar door, and
when called upon for an address to the
surprise Of every one who knew him, he re-
fused, and sulked like a bad little boy.
The ColoneTs God-like wrath was after
wards modified, bat stsaws show which
way the wind blows The suspicion was
warranted then that he did not enter the
movement with all that feeling of selfab-
neea.ion that is natural and inherent in
such a distinguished patriot.
The statement Of facts given above is
sufficient 10 reveal the motives behind Col
BIRDIE HARr's suddenly acquired inter
est in the welfare OF West Virginia. Ii
should be added, that he was placed in
the position he now holds over
the practically unanimous protest Of
the delegation from Ohio county
The great majority Of that delegation
conld not have been influenced By personal
motives. Ii is an insult worthy only o. 8
small mind to insinusie that they were.
Taey recognized that Col BIRDIE HART's
position was such that he could not assume
responsible place in the organization,
without exciting ST once, suspicion and
dis.rust in the minds Of a large class
Of people. They were Oyerruled.
The influences that did it are we'll known.
They were substantially political. A few
gentlemen who did not suspect the pur-
poses Of the move were drawn into it
Sincere friends Of the Society, who realized
the danger, remained silent, fearing dis
astrous consequences resulting from a
ruchou at that time. TIE schemers &c
complished their design, and since then
have had practical control of the whole
movement.
The Office Of the society has bean located
in the city Of Wheeling. Or when not in
Wheeling has been moved around in the
wake Of the President At least one at
tschs Of the society has assisted the Presi-
dent regularly in rsporiorial labOrs The
Secretary has been necessarily absent for
weeks or even months at a time. The
Board of Directors has waited io7 the Pres
idcnt TO call them together, and he has
called them three times The first meet
ing was a; Chsrlestown, where Col BIRDIE
HARr reported that there was no business
to lay before the board. The second was
at Grafton. Again there was no business
about which the President desired to con
suit the board, and the third was at Charles
ton.
The simple re,oTd is enough to disclose
the manner in which the work Of the
society has been conducted, or rather
not conducted at ell. Concerning the
management, We have already made
sufficient structures, and have only
to repeat what has been urged. The sus-
picioa is amply justified that there has
been more care for personal politics than
general good, in the work that has been
done
tt is s. notorious fact that the prospectus
Of the Wheeling HteGigmcsr, which WAS
sent ont to nearly every weekly newspaper
in the State, contained the claim that that
Journal was the sole sponsor for the State
immigration Society, and through its col
umrs alone the news pertaining 10 the
organization and The work of development
resulting from it, would be dglsd oot to
the people of the State
This wss one Of q series Of incidents that
confirmed the the suspicion Of partisan
ship. Yet, Col. BIRDIE HART is unable
to recognize that face
The excuse that the State immigration
bill Eailsd TO pass the Legislature from lack
of time, IS : ilimsy pretext 10 cover com
plete faiurs. The bill was reported from
the committees in each house carly in the
session Bills behied it on the calendar
were beirg taken o., aud passed every
dsy. Numerous measures, to which there
was the mos, decided opposition, were
passed through successive stages in both
houses. Yet the Safe immigration bill
never passed its secoad tasding in either
house. The Presiden, was il Charleston
presumably working in its interest, but
no motion was ever made to expedite the
measure. and it persisted like many others
OF far less valus.
The cause ofthe failure wes apparent 10
g. L..