Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1892-06-17
From West Virginia Farm Bulletin.l
WEST VIRGINIA.

West Virginia was admitted as state
June goth, 1868. Its first capital was
Wheeling, but in 1870 the capital was
changed to Charleston, then removed to
Wheeling again in 1875, and again re-
moved to its present location, Charles
ton, in 1884.
Free Sch0oh.-West Virginia has a
very 1ourishing free school system, am
pie provision having always been made
by its legislators for educational pur,
poses.
Climate. climate is moderate
the average temperature i'll winter being
20 degrees and in summer 70 degrees
Fahrenheit). The average rainfall is
from ~ to as inches. Owing to the
mountainous condition Of the State, the
health is excellent.
Government. The Governor and
State officials are elected quadrcnnially
the legislature every two years.
These elections are held OH Tuesday
after the first Monday in November.
The legislature is composed of 20 sena-
tors and II representatives i'll the lower
house. The sessions are held biennial
~, in odd numbered years, and are is
DAYS i'll duration. The term of the sena-
tors is years, while the term of the rep
resentatives is but years. West Viz
giuia having four Congressman, has six
electoral votes.
The salaries OF State officials are as
follows Governor, $4,000; Secretary of
State, 81 900 and fees Treasurer, 1900;
Auditor, s., 900 and fees; SuPerintcnd-
cnt of Free Schools, $500; Attorney
General, 1000; Judges Of the Supreme
Court, four in number, S2,25o each
Senators and Representatives receive 81
per day and a mileage Of 10 cents per
mile.
Ge0grabhicaL- The length north and
south of West Virginia is 24I miles. Its
greatest width is I5S miles, and contains
in all I5,772, 500 acres of land. The sur
face is mountainous with fertile valleys.
The Allcghancy is the principle range,
containing some high peaks, fine scenery,
and much visited by tourists.
The staple products of West Virginia
include minerals, very fine horses, cat
tie, sheep and hogs, wheat, corn, oats,
grasses, hay, dairy products, fruits,
wine, &c, &c.
Petroleum and natural gas are eXten-
sively produced. West Virginia ranks
fifth in the production of salt and coal,
and seventh in buCkwhcat, iron and steel.
The cleared land Of the State averages
SIT per acre. Much of the State is viz
gin forest, densely clothed with walnut,
oak, cherry, poplar, ash, pine and many
other kinds Of timber. Many mineral
springs abound. The soil, where not
mountainous, is excellent. The mineral
wealth, much of which is yet undcvel
opcd, including coal, oil, iron, salt, &c,
is prodigious. The western part Of the
State is hilly, but gradually descends
from $500 feet above the sea level to-
ward the Ohio river, where the eleva-
ton is 700 to 500 feet. West Virginia
contains 81 counties and - senatorial
districts.
Chief hduSfJIcS.-Al Though West Nir-
ginia, on account Of the ineXhauStible
supply Of minerals stored away i'll her
mountains, is destined to become the
greatest mineral-producing State i'll the
union, as yet, agriculture is the chief
industry. Sixty per cent Of her work
mig population are engaged in tilling the
soil. The balance of her people are en-
gagged in mining, numbering, manufac-
turing, &c.
We would call special attention Of
persons desiring profitable investments
to the wonderful undevcloped mineral
wealth of the State, as well as the fine
farming lands located i'll the valleys.
Many tracts ofthis land can be purchased
at low prices aud on satisfactory terms,
while on account Of rapidly increasing
railroad facilities they are daily grow
ing in value.