Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-03-06
MCORKLE'S INAUGURAL


ginia, thus depicting the State OF its
wealth TO build grandeur and splendor
in other States. In few years, at the
present rate of progress, we viii occupy
the same position Of vassalage TO the
North aud East. that Ireland does TO
England, and 70 some extent for the
same reasons. / do not in any way wish
to be understood as decrying incoming
wealth or offering distractions TO its ad-
vent in our midst, but believe that West
Virginia, the South and Southwest,
should take steps 90 bring into their bor-
ders the small immigrant or home build
er, and thus, by the actual settlers ef-
forts,
OUR LANDS WILL BE DEVELOPED
BY those living upon them and spending
ing in our midst the fruits Of our mines,
forests and fields. The effort should be
made by us TO bring the small settler as
we'll as the large land owner, but not
one 90 the exclusion OF the other. AT
this time the reflex tide OF immigration
is again directed 70 the South and
Southwest and away from the North
west. While We welcome the incoming
OF the wealthy landowner, still, In my
opinion, he should not be welcome
alone, but every intelligent effort should
be made by the State to induce the
small landowner and actual set
tier 70 come amongst rs. 1
believe that this is the best corrective
Of the influence OF large nonresident
ownership Of lands in this State, the
burden Of which we shall in a short
time feel j shall offer any assistance
4 N,r ~f.nm - ~
ton. looking % the inducement Of ac-
tual settlers 20 come 90 our State. = 10
this end, ] am in hearty cooperation
with the Governors Of the Southern
States, and 10 is proposed az very
early date 20 have g convention OF the
Southern Governors. looking TO the
question of immigration TO the South
and OF actual development OF
the South. shall do ell in
my power to make this convention
success, aud % unite in whatever plan
is agreed upon TO attract 20 the South
and South West this class of immigra-
ton. The great area and richness Of
our coal and hardwood timber, in both
OF which we are first In this great cOun-
try, the production Of coke in which we
are second and soon will be first the
great development OK railroads, ia
which last year we were
FIRST IN THE UNITED STATES,
our splendid soil, equitable climate and
good school system, all offer unparallel-
led inducements to the incoming citizen
and actual settler.
Upon another question OF great mo-
ment 10 our State, and one just now ex-
citing much discussion and action in
various parts Of the country, I wish
frankly to avOw my policy. i refer TO
railroad legislation, To several States,
particularly In the South, and in some
sections OF our State, there is just now
a sentiment in opposition TO railroads, |
and people not having at heart the well |
fare Of our State and i'm order 10 make /
cheap popularity for themselves, are ia
sisting on legislation antagOniStfc 10 |
railroad operation and deyelOpement, |
and this without regard 70 the injury or |
welfare OF the State. Is an official, !
hold the sREla view as l
did when private citizen, /
- fLSTiy state my policy as |
sSfOad legislation. Never have |
we needed railroad developement |
as DO now. With all our vast re-
sources living virtually dormant, en- |
qeued in a fierce hand to hand struggle |
with PENNSYLVANIA for the coal trade OF /
the south, aud West, and Northwest, |
we need all the development possible. |
At the same time, In a question between |
the people and the railroads, am Tor |
the people, and In favor OF all legisla- |
tion which will curb and restrain cor
porate influences from interfering with !
the rights OF the people; but seeing that !
the great wealth of the State can only
be unlocked by the breath Of the loco
motive, believe that il laws are found
necessary for restricting railroads, that
they should be the product OF wisdom
ana business experience, and not the
result of the demagOgism appealing 70
the populace for official place. The
narrow agrarianiSm, or political ext
gency,
DEMANDING UNDUE RESTRICTIONS
on railroad construction and operation,
is more hurtful 20 the interests Of the
State IN its present condition than the
supposed oppression of the railroads.
In the south, especially. there has been
adopted measures tending TO provoke
bitter antagOnism between the railroads
and the people, and these measures, in
majority of cases, have been the out
come either OF want of intelligence on
the subject or emiuate from those de-
string 10 make political standing with
the people. Seeing around Us day by
dav the marvellous development OF our
virgin territory by the opening OF new
railroads, I hope that the Legislature
.. Co. mill hncffnfa hnfOrQ III
will adopt any but we'll considered and
conservative measures towards rail-
} roads, Believing that this Is tne best
policy OF the State, express my views
on this important question without re-
gardi 20 the popularity Of those views.
AS 60 the public institutions.
Shall DO an in my power 20 render
re Public institutions of the State as
eihciSnt as possible. ] regret TO say
that There has grown sentiment In
this eate, that the public institutions
shoild 'be managed in the interest OF
cgWain firms. officials, and associations,
And manx applications have been made
+ 70 me TO place persons on the different
boards, not on account of their efficiency,
but In order that certain interests may
be subssryed, and In order that they
NAV appoint connections, relations or
friends to these places 10 the institu
tionS. It Is needless 20 say that all such
applications for office
WILL BE REFUSED,
and that I shall, without fear or favor,
remove any member Of any board under
INV control, who is either directly or in
directly engaged in dealing with any
s,s.ftptfon with which he is connected