Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-04-27

A lively movement IS Oh 4ooC "
form a new State out Of the northern
portions Of Michigan, Wisconsin and
Minnesota. which is the outgrOwth OF
a peculiar and unique condition of al
airs. The diversity of interests that
exists between the northern and south
ern portions of Michigan is greater
than exists between any two States
of the union. As the Chicago Record
points out, the southern peninsula is
devoted to agriculture and maEufac-
tire. while the northern section has
practically a single industry, that OF
mining. The same is exactly the case
in Minnesota. and TO a greater or less
extent in Wisconsin. While these di-
verse interests tend to division OF those
States. the unity of interest between
the disconnected sections is a strong
magnet to draw them together.
For years there has been much fric-
tfon between the two sections Of Mich
igan on questions Of political recogui-
ton in the distribution Of Office, State
institutions and the like, but these,
while they are too ephemeraI TO cause
the division of a State, are factors
when linked with other and grayer
considerations. In Wisconsin and
Minnesota the northern and more
thinly populated sections of the States
are dissatisfied in some respects with
the treatment they receive from the
southern and more densely settled sec
tions. While there is apparently great
unaniuity of sentiment in the north
ern portions of these three States re
garding the formation Of new State
there does not seem to be as yet much
opposition TO it in the southern section
OF either of the States.
However, we have only heard from
the hot heads up to date. The con
sentative element, which settles all
such matters in the end, is always last
to make itself heard and is rarely to
be found at the head of the procession
at the start. The only foundation for
the proposed step discoverable is large
" jealousy over the division of party
spoils and State patronage This is
hardly a valid reason for the proposed
measure. as the disgruntled sections
will discover upon investigation, and
when they consider the burdens that
a State government always imposes up
on the taxpayer and upon industrial
enterprises Of every kind.
Unless better reasons than appear at
first blush exist for it, it is not likely
that the new State will be formed.
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT
The long depression in business al
fairs which was brought on by causes
beyond our control has been ended by
causes quito as powerful, though bet
ter understood. Production no longer
potters along on half time awaiting
for the demand to catch up. Consump-
ton and production are now racing
along ue,n and neck The wooden
mills. the iron mills. the cotton mills
and their affiliated industries are run
ming in many instances over time to
supply orders. The consequent rise in
the price of raw materials and in the
wages Of labor are indications of per-
manent Improvement.
1t is significant that as the financial
and industrial distress Of the past
three years has not been confined to
the United States. so in the recovery
we are now experiencing we are not
alone or exceptional All the CONNER
cial nations are participating in re-
newed trade activity, and there is
good reason TO anticipate a worldwide
return Of solid and substantial pros
perity.
The distressing report has been made
to the Agricultural Department that a
new pest has appeared which threat
ems the destruction Of the Georgia
melon crop. 1t is a small black bug,
which eats of the plant just below the
surface OF the ground. This news
comes inst as the counry's mouth has
begun TO water in anticipation of a
superabundant melon crop. Seriously
the loss of this crop would be a grave
deuiment not only to the prosper
ity OF the South but to the commerce
of the entire country.
When American beef costs more in
this country than it does in Europe it
is very plain Indication that there
is manipulation of the market going on
somewhere. The way to get square
with the beef combine is TO let down
the tariff bars and let in the cheaper
beef from Canada, Mexico and else
where.
The esteemed Intelligencer says
Benjamin Harrison was defeated in
a year when no Republican could have
been elected" We are glad TO see that
+ our contemporary has got SO far along
+ as TO acknowledge there ever was such
a year. Maybe it can now be induced