The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-03-16
10 ,he Ed!tor q ,ho 1nlolllgencer...

efforts to bring 10 Wheeling the Army OF
West Virginia reunion md the meeting OF
the Ohio Valley River Improvement ASso-
to entertain, other large and Important
gatherings tbs SeaspD. While this spirit
of push Is abroad In Wheeling. would
like to suggest something that might meet
with succesa-tho naming OF the two Bra-
ALLAN wnrships Just purchased by our gov
crnmcnt: NOVEL; submit It. wouldn't
west Virginia" adorn one OF these float
Ing engines OF war both to our own credit
and to tho good taste OF the navy DEPART
ment? We have wheeling" represented
In the now navy, and now we want tho
war born state ranged up alongside tho
Iowa. Indiana. Massachusetts. Kentucky
and our other modren hattleshlps;
Wheeling, March 10. al
The IntelliSerccr's correspondent is
moved by motives that are both patrI-
otIc and proper, but 1t is not likely that
I'm organized effort to have one OF tho
recently purchased Brazilian warshlps
named West Virginia would be prac-
t!cable. The reason Is that both vessels
are cruisers, and the custom In the navy
department Is to christian cruisers with
the names OF cities OF the firsS class:
gunboats arc called after cities Of the
second and third class, while the battle
ships receive the names OF states, exG
cept In the notable instance of the
Kearsarge. whore the department de-
clded there was no ship 1t contemplated
building that was too good TO bear the
name OF the victor over the famous Ala
bama.
Although 1t does not seem practicable
to endeavor TO have the name OF this
state applied TO one of the Brazilian
cruisers, there is no rerEon why an or
Ganized effort to have one of the new
batueships named West Virginia"
should not succeed. AS matter Of
fact, other states arc moving in that
direction. On last Monday the follow
ing resolution was passed In the Ohio
legislature:
Whereas. The state Of Ohio by virtue OF
her history and progress and all that con-
tributes TO the good name and glory OF Il
member OF the american Union has earned
the rank she now enjoys: and
Whereas. In the hours of our country's
peril Ohio's brave sons and daughters have
ever done their utmost TO protect our flag
and sustain the strength OF the govern
ment: and
Whereas, 1t would seem proper that one
OF the battleships of the United States
navy should bear the name OF Ohio: there
fore be 1t
Resolved. by the general assembly OF
Ohio, That the honorable secretary OF the
navy and other officials OF the government
be and are hereby respectfully requested
to consider the propriety OF giving 10 one
OF the new battleships the name OF our be-
loved state; and further, be II
Resolved. That our senators and repre-
sentativeS In Congress be asked to give
this request their support.
AS to the manner of goIrg about pre-
sentlng the desire OF the citizens OF
West Virginia to her senators and rep
rcsertatires and to the navy Depart
ment, 1t Will be necessary to pursue a
course different from that in Ohio. for
the reason that the legislature is rot In
session. 1t Is suggested that boards
OF trade. chambers of commerce, boards
OF county commissioners, city and town
councils and other organizations adopt
resolutions along the line OF that pass
ed by the Ohio legislature, copies OF
which would be sent TO Senators Elkins
and Faulkner, the four representatives
ard to the navy department
With such an organized effort, It Is
not unlikely that West Virginia"
would soon float on the seas. the
strength and beauties of the battleship
typical OF the state that came into be-
Ing amid the smoke Of battle.