Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-06-07
MAJOR HOTCHKIss' ADDRESS.


Mr.. Wilcox was followed by Major
Hotchluss. who was also greeted by
loud applause. lie began by saying
his subiec. had not been announced.
but those who knew him we'll enough,
knew that helwas something of hobby
writer. His topic was the value Of the
lands of West Virginia-not only their
intrinsic value, but their value as q
basis for banking and all other forms
of business. The speaker had hung
upon the stage behind him an immense
map of the two ViTginias and contg-
ions portions of neighbOring States,
and he used this and a large black
board. as he progressed, TO illustrate
his remarks. The TWO Virginias, he
said. were virtually one and the same.
Their division was simply political
and Jointly they embraced large por-
ton of the best and most valuable CT
the territory Of the United States. Not
only did West Virginia have coal IN
greater abundance and in greater yarl-
ETY.. but it occupied a like dominant
place as to timber, and the State might
well be called the great fuel State. To
these two great essentials, Virginia
united large deposits of iron. and these
three elements were the sure founda-
tons of present and future great
wealth. The things he had mentioned
were mainly responsible for England s
commanding place in the business al
fairs of the world, and the day would
come when the two Nirginias would
make these natural advantages felt
He then took up the happy position
of West Virginia for commercial pur-
poses. her situation in this regard be-
ing most satisfactory Yet so far COM
paratyely little had been done to take
advantage of it. Great east and west
lines of railroads covered the country,
bur none of them passed through the
great body Of the State. Even our own
people having business at the capital
of the State. were compelled to so by
roundabout course up to very few
wears ago. and even yet large parts OF
OFT territory We're almost in accessible
bv any direct route. The future would
see much more done in the way OF rail-
road development, and although we
now pride ourselves upon our rail-
roads. the next few years would
show that now the development Of the
State had but scarcely begun. and that
The possibilities of the future in the
wav of commerce ana business and
wealth were practically without limit.
The future held boundless and almost
unlimited possibilities, and we of to-
dow were only blazing the way and
lqving the foundations for a magnid-
| cont empire. The day would come
when the immense business Of this
favored State would find its outlet to
the sea through Virginia, and the flu
wre would see the gateway OF Its com
merce situated at or near the capes oil
| the Chesapeake.
The varied climatic conditions of the
/ state. which has a range OF 1000 fee
/ I'm elevation. were narrated and enlarg
e5 uDon. and then he took up the Goa
/ depesfts of the State and eXpl2nel
vim the aid of map and blackboard
the location, extent. and value oil th'
! several measures and deposits JIG
narrated in detail the processes 10y
/ which the immense tracts OF coal land.
! I'm West Virginia have been developed
! BEGINNING with the original holdings O.
/ the land in small bodies by people In
canable.- for want Of means or enter
Drise. of developing IL. Large aS6re
/ cations of capital secured this land. Of
/ its mineral rights. developed il by th
expenditure of very large sums. largely
disbursed among the original holders