The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-01-04

name Of the State proposed to be created
and II becomes a question not whether
this or that or any other name shall bl
the name Of the new State, but whether
the name has not been established by
the ordinance and the ratification OF the
people beyond the authority OF this
convention to ehangei II. The ordinance
submitted the question definitely to the
people within the proposed boundaries
whether they would form the new State
with the name prescribed. / have
understood from gentlemen who We're
in the convention that passed that or.
dinanCe that the name itself was q com
promise, But whether II was a Compro-
mise or not, ! maintain the people have
ratified and determined by our presence
here that this new State shall exist and
that it shall be called "Kanawha,"
That there Is very obvious pTopriety
in the name seems to mo very clear; be-
cause when we find an almost unbroken
line Of precedent in naming States after
particular rivers within their territories,
generally selecting the most prominent,
II must DO considered a strong argument
why we should do the same. We see
that In the name OF the State right across
tho way here, In our sister State Ken
lucky, which was the daughter OF Vir-
ginia; in Tennessee, named alter the
river Of that nRmO-even changed in the
case OF Tennessee, for tho original name
OF tho territory was "Fankland." Ne
braska was named after the chief river
OF that territory, We have the same
thing In Kansas. Pursue the case
around you within these Western States
and you will find the chief rivers have
given names to the States. There Is an
obvious propriety In this, It shows
that the people look ut home for names.
1t has been remarked that there was
no instance, ! believe, OF a State called
after small subdivision OF 1t. The
State OF Kentucky has been alluded to.
II l reColleCt Alright Kentucky was but
one OF the counties OF Virginia, when
West Augusta covered all this portion Of
Virginia,
Gentlemen say they cherish the name
Virginia from the source, from Virgin
Queen, after whom It was named; but
when this was mentioned | confess my
mind reverted 10 the fuct that the Vir-
gin Queen was not above suspicion;
cion; [laughterl that history tells
Of balances not to the credit OF
that Virgin, and we need seek'no honor
or pleasure In the recollection. ! only
regret that an old mother State has been
caught in dalltances from which We are
trying to rid ourselves by division Of
our territory.
With these views, this obvious pro-
priety, and these precedents, feel con-
strained to vote against the motion to
strike out after the people have ratified
The name OF Kanawha.
.KANAwIIA ACCEPTED UNDER PROTEST.
Mr.. Stewart, OF Doddridge.-I attach
very little importance TO the name my
self, but ! stand here to represent the
views OF my constituents. My people
voted for the new State with d protest
against the name. There is not a man
living within the boundaries OF my
county, although ono OF the most loyal
In tho State, that is not In favor OF
the name. Tho fact that the
people Of the proposed new State have
voted almost unanimously for It is no
reason why they must bo considered rs
having endorsed the name proposed. |
must say it Is Just the reverse. ! shall
vote to strike out "Kanawha" because |
desire to represent the views Ond wishes
Of my constituents.
Mr.. PowOll-Gf We represent the
wishes OF the people Of Harrison, we
will strike out the name Of Kanawha.
Conversed with q great many persons
in that county In regard to the name,
lnd it was toe unanimous request that
II this convention had the power they
should chango the name. Strike out
"Kanawha" and insert western Vir-
ginia." That was the almost unanimous
wish. A large meeting OF citizens OF
tIarrisOn was held at one point and ]
was there's aud n resolution was passed
that "kanawha" be striCk.
en- out and 6WesLern Virginia inserted.
II was ordered that the resolution be
handed to one Of the delegates. II was
not handed to me, but to my colleague,
it appears. ! hope We arc prepared to
strike ont "KanEWha.p II we desire
10 represent the wishes Of the people, so
fur Us my knowledge extends, We VIII
do SO.
Mr.. Trainor-I have no particular oh.
lection to Kanawha. They have very
beautiful river down there-a very beau.
tiful valley-and suppose they are very
clever people, but l think we may get a
more proper nano for this new State
than Kanawhu, ono that will identify us
SO that everybody will know who we are
and where we are and the material out
OF which We are made.
So far as the people Of my county are
conCerned-aud l believe hail from MS
loyal 4 county us there is within the
bOundarleso Of the new State-our people
generally RrG opposed To this name.
They have nothing particularly against
Kanawha, but they do. not like the
name ind want something else, some.
.thing which they conceive would be
more proper and would more fully pre-.
sent to the world our position, place and
relations. / shall vote for the motion to
strike ont the word Kanawha.
Mr.. Enthusiastically | have no OBJ
lection to this name, but l know the
neplo Of our county have great objec.
tions to II. Ihave had no conversation
with any citizen Of our county to my
knowledge but who had great objections
to thp name OF "Klnawha." Would
much prefer "WestGrn Virginia" OF
"New Virginia" or some other name
and on thNt account shall have TO
vote for striking out.
MR. DANIEL LAMD's SOLID ARGUMENT.
MY, lamb-It Is we'll known to MON.
bers Of this convention that ! was one oI
those who were decidedly opposed "a
entering upon the measure Of lnstitutihg
tho now State at the present time.
thought the time was not propi uousj
TINT In every step which We took In rel
prenCo TO this measure We wonld find
ourselves enCompassed with difficulties
and dAngersj but when l found that
portion Of tho commonwealth was earn
eBtly fixed upon inaugurating the meas
ure al the present moment, / was one. o
those who agreed 10 the cotnpromiaI
embodied In tho ordinance Of August ~
And / am prepared riow--l came her
for that puFposO-to carry out that coin
nrnmisn, wherever II ID practicable, II