The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-11-01

Senator Stephen B. EllSins, who ar
rived in the city Monday evening. spent
quite a busy day yesterday entertain
ing both social and political callers.
He was accompanied by his accom-
pllshed wife. whose rare graces Of mind
charm everyone who enjoys the privi-
iege Of an acquaintance with her. The
Senator has just finished an. extensive
tour through the state, and the most
of his time has been devoted to an In
spectlon Of the properties he Is inter-
ested in, both railroads and coal. The
trip seems to have agreed with Mr..
Ellins, judging from his cheerful splr-
It's and robust appearance. and to the
various groups OF listeners that gath
cred around him he impaired the In
splrauon he himself felt over the flu
ture Of West Virginia, and the salts
faction he enjoyed during his travels
through the state liz meeting the many
evidences of its onward march to its
ultimate destiny as one Of the grentest
and most prosperous commonwealths Of
the Nation.
To the IntelligeDcer reporters inu-
nation that Senator Jones. chairman Of
the Democratic National Committee.
did not agree with his views Of the
prosperity of the country. Senator FL
llns only shrugged his shoulders which
suggested that there were some things
that Mr.. Jones did not know.
"You have seen some Of this prosper
ity yourself" was the tentative remark
Of the reporter.
~ certainly have. am thoroughly
saturated with it, said the Senator.
az have been all through the central
and southern portions OF West Virginia,
and also investigated the conditions
that prevail in the Fairmont and Mo-
nongahela valley region, where ] am
largely interested In coal mining prop
critics. Everywhere have heard moth
ing but the glad song of the working
man fully employed. with the unusual
accompaniment Of the complaint OF the
employer of the famine in the labor
market"
cant get enough men?'
THAT'S the fact" replied Senator Ell
klns. why, there are several railroads
projected. mean branch and connect
ing roads, that cannot so on with the
construction on account OF the scarcity
Of labor. This is true of other projects
that require both skilled and uRsktlled
workmen. 1t is new experience with
our people, but 1t is certainly a very
pleasant and encouraging one for the
future"
"How about investments in the state.
senator?"
BLESS your soul. You neves saw the
like Of 1t. BY the recent combination Of
the river coal interests in Pennsylvania,
which has released large amount OF
capital. West Virginia has benefited to
a large extent. Quite a number Of OPP
orators have bought properties in our
state and they are Immediately settling
about to develop them This is true in
other lines and Interests-lumber and
coke. The boom that these industries
are enjoying. and the relative demands
that are made upon transportation IA
cIlIties is something marvellous. Enough
cars cannot be had at present to move
the products Of the mines and the for
ests."
"As to this prosperity have been
telling you about, have met it face to
face" said Mr.. Elkins. rather impress
lively. 81 have had little time for poll
tics so absorbed have been In the
material prosperity have come in con-
tact with. have talked with bankers
business men, the small shopkeeper, in
every place have visited, and have
come into close touch with the people
who would be the first to feel the dis
persion of the depression that once
cIogged the march Of progress, and In
every instance the same tale has beer
told of the improvement in business
and activity in industries. The state
in fact, is literally smothered with pros
perity. The people surrounded by such
beneReent influences have expressed tc
me no desire for change, and with
such conditions paramount do not see
why the Republicans with united
front and complete harmony within the
councils Of the party should not carry
the state next year with ease"
The Senator was not inclined to ex'
press himself further In n political way
saying his visit was entirely social II
its character. ~ have had very pleas
ant time, especially at Charleston
Huntington, Parkersburg and otheI
points. At Huntington Mrs ElkIns Wis
tied the Home for IncurabIes. In which
institution she is personally interested
and ut Parkersburs we had a very
enjoyable visit, Mrs. EIsIns meet!nI
many Of the friends Of her youth. Ant
here we are enjoying pleasant tint
with Senator Scott and his wife 1 an
greatly put out about one thing. ant
that is the weather, as had intended
10 60 around and visit the mills, fac
tories and my numerous friends II
wheeling. That one pleasure has beef
denied me"