The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-01-14

face OF the law and the only trouble
is that there IL not sufficient punish
mcnt 10 deter the offenders from their
nefarlnus work. a number OF our best
streams In the state have been de-
spoiled OF thcir Gsh hy dynamite. md
all that Is needed Is 10 provide a game
and fish warden or the enactment OF
laws sufficiently vigorous 10 punish
these people.
This department Is in daily receipt OF
communications protesting against
these outrages.
CoDclusIon.
I have discussed as thoroughly as
possible all matters pertaining to the
state which IL Is my duty to lay before
the legislature. In all probability this
Is the last official communication TO be
made by me to the legislature. II Is the
last communication, for some time. at
least. which will be made BIZ a Demo-
cratic governor to the Legislature OF
this state After about twenty-five
years OF occupancy OF the executive Of
fees OF the state. the party which has
been In power turns over the relns of
government 10 the party with which in
It is with no fears that ] turn over 10
the Republican party the affairs OF the
state, so far as the executive Office Is
concerned. Whilst l am Democrat,
and believe in the Democratic theory
OF government, I believe that there Is
just as much love for the state and as
much interest for It's development in
the one party as I'm the other The
only difference between US is the ques-
zion Of methods.
The Democratic party in turning
over the Offices OF the state can do so
with pride and with the assurance that
the affairs OF the state have been con-
served in all the years in which II has
controlled them. 1t is, 1 think, in good
taste and certainly not more than just
that I briefly recapitulate what has
been done for the state in that time.
do not mean to be offensive IN my par
tlsanship and hope and believe that the
great party, which on the fourth of
March will control every department of
the state government, will leave behind
1t the same record left to It by the
party now going out Of power.
This IS the only fitting time which
have had to thank the legislature at
Its last session for its uniform cour-
tesy and kindness to me. Occupying
the somewhat anomalous position OF
being u governor elected by one party.
acting with a legislature elected by an
other party, 1t was to be expected that
there would be frequent controversies
between the two departments. 1 wish
to say that ouch was not the case. be-
lleVe that the last legislature acted for
what It thought was the best interests
OF the state, and wish certainly to say
that 1t acted with the most distinguish
ed courtesy towards the present incum-
bent OF the executive chair.
Go VnOrxy about nv last official act
and wish to express to the people OF
the state my appreciation OF their
kindness in electlng me to this exalted
office and to say that. In my humble
way, I have done all In my power for
the good of the state. have tried TO be
as non-partisan as the condition OF the
times would allow, and have always
endeavored to look to the interests OF
the state, as above that OF my party.
am glad to say thah believe that this
sentiment has been shared by the peo-
pie of the state.
appreciate the many acts OF kind
ness done me by the legislature during
It's last session; and wish 20 say that
In all the four years OF close and in
tlmote association with the board OF
public works that there has never &C.
CURED anything but what was perfect
ly pleasant to all of It's members.
l hope that you Will have pleasant
session, and that your acts Of legisla-
ton will be directed TO the well-being
OF the state. We have a state OF which
any West Virginian can be proud, a
splendid population, rich territory. n
progressive people;and all that Is need
ed is wise legislation to show to the
world the glories OF our wealth and the
opportunities that are unsurpassed
anywhere on this continent.
WILLIAM A. MacCORkLE.