Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-06-18
BUSINESS AND POLITICS IN BRAXTOx'

senator Camoen - LesbAAtiFe Nehut-
dates
10 no ESfor Of ne RsGi5,sr;
SIR:-The IRtelligeNCcr in its issue OF
June Is, contains an article on the
Business and politics Of BraXtOn and
other counties OF central West Virginia,
purported to have been written oy
regular correspondent OF that paper,
but which, in fact, emanated az no other
place than Sutton.
In the article, there is some attempt
TO criticise Senator Camden for the part
he took In securing the West Virginia
and Pittsburg railroad and also 10 speak
OF the generosity" in the management
Of said road with some degree OF irony;
both Of which attempts show how little
the Intelligence cores pOndent knows
what be is talking OF.
In the first place, had the Hteliigcnccr
correspond ent taken the pains 70 lnyes-
tigate the matter, he would know that
no one man would invest enough money
10 carry out such a great enterprise as
that Of building the West Virginia and
PittSburg railroad, even II be had IL,
but that other capital must be solicited
in such an enterprise. In this case the
necessary amount Of capital 10 build
the road was solicited and secured upon
the condition that BraxtOn would give
500, 600 toward the enterprise, and
other counties other amounts, and 10
was solicited by Senator Camden.
This was the condition upon which
Senator Camden asked the people OF
Braxton 10 give 500, 600 TO help build
the railroad, and they gave il and they
got the road. Besides, every citizen in
the county knows, or can know, that
the county has its share OF stock in the
road. AMI receives its share OF the an
nual dividends as regularly as the year
comes around.
In the second place the Senator is
spoken OF by the intelligence cores
pendent as being responsible for the
high rate Of charges over the said rail-
road; and herein he shows how little
acquainted be is with business princi-
pies. 1t seems 10 me that upon second
thought, one ought to know that this,
as well as other railroads, is placed in
the hands OF directors who choose a
general manager to conduct the busi-
ness of the road, and Senator Camden
has 10 more 70 do with the manage
ment Of this road than any other stock
holder, and could not, II he wanted TO,
dictate the terms of freight or any
other business which is left 10 the gen
eral management. But Senator Camden
Is mentioned In connection with these
matters as a "PhilanthrOpiSt," and we
are glad he is, because il brings 10 mind
8 world Of reCollections.
Several years ago, 10 log cabin on a
little rivulet which empties into the
Little Kanawha river, near BulltOwn,
10 Preston county, far away from any
railroad, school or great cities OF civil
iZation, was bOro a boy who was 70 do
greater things for his native State than
any one else had ever done. Born in
poverty, aud where be could have no
advantages OF schooling, 1t looked as
though be could never rise. But first
we see him prosecuting attorney OF his
native county, then we ind him IN the
oil fields, where be displayed that good
Judgment and native ability which has
always characterized him; next we find
him helping 10 secure, locate and build
the turnpike road from Weston, in
Lewis county, TO the Gauley bridge, In
Fayette county, the first and only
road then in his native county; and
next we see his great heart swell when
the scores of Confederate soldiers were
DISTINGUISHED, arrested and spirited
away 70 Clarksburg 20 be prosecuted 10
the court there, without friends and
without money 10 pay their way. Here
10 was, l say, that his great heart
sweled 10 its true state Of greatness,
when he thus beheld his csuntrYmen
helpless and in the throes Of deSpica-
bic law. With a gentle hand and kind
heart he gave them money, lent his
influence 20 secure their release, and
restored them TO their liberties and
homes. Legion are those who now rise
up and call him blessed. Not much
wonder, / suppose, thai a Republican
politician would delight 20 steal into
the Democratic ranks 10 try 10 cause
dissentiOn there against one whom he
hated SO much.
But as We 90 on his next great scheme
was the construction of the Ohio River
railroad, which at that time opened up
more advantages 70 the State than a.
most any other railroad % it, then the
Ripley & Mill Creek Valley railroad,
then the RavenswoOd, Spencer and
Glsnville railroad, then the West Vlr-
GINA x PittSburg railroad, Of which the
IpteUiQCnCGr correspondent knows so
much.
defy the HtCligsBccr correspondent,
or any other man, 20 produce a man liv-
ing or dead, who has done so much for
the development Of the State OF West
Virginia as Senator Camden has done.
Why should not BraXtOn county people
feel Just pride in such man? And
why should they not support him uDan-
imOusly? This they will DO.
The lutCUjgCuCCr correspondent men
tions a number OF candidates for the
House OF Delegates. Now, as for Or.
Newton, he can not and will not, as l
am informed, be q candidate, because
he cannot afford 10 leave his practice.
AS for Or. Kidd and f. w. Cutlip,
neither OF them, so far as l know-and
I have been ia BraxtOn county for sew
eral years watching thlngS-has ever
expressed any opinion on this subject.
So the IBtclligCBcCr correspondent Is
clearly wrong when he even lntlmates
that there will be any serious oDpOsi-
ton TO Senator Camden Ia BraxtOn
county.
THE iUtCJigCp"cr also says that In
the county he has friends who wanted
positions under this administration,
who we're eminently qualified 70 tli
them, but the only position given to
this county worth having was given TO
gentleman by Camden without a
single endorsement from Camden's
friends" take pleasure in informing
tha TDfffFiyfDe.r cOrreSDOndent that /
the gentleman referred 70 above went