Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-03-09

anu thc increase III the Goa mined
IN 3 over 1896 is greater than the
entire production Of the state In 1890.
Our output Of coke in 1900 was ]. .
lo7 tons an increase of Sic per cent
over 1897, and our output of coal in
1900 was %, 900, 600 tons, an increase
Of Glib per cent over 1897.
We are now the third-and will he
the second within a year or two-of
all the coal producing states in the
union. In the lumber industry we
have made equally rapid strides in
development. While in agricultural
growth we have actually surprised
ourselves, as well as others outside of
the state who have taken notice Of
us. Our West Virginia hills are fer
tile, the climate is good, ami our far
mers are coming steadily to the front.
Taxes are reasonably low and we have
co~nscientiously enforced our laws.
and with all we have been just to all
concerned.
We have expended on public build
ings and public improvements up
wares OF a half million dollars more
money during the past four wears
than during any preceding quadre-
mum, without increasing the rate of
taxation, and have more money in
the treasury than ever before at this
season of the year and all bills
against the state have been paid and
no debts contracted
Mountainous always love liberty.
Our West Virginia people, therefore
are especially devoted 20 freedom.
Love OF country, next to love of home.
is the sheet-anchor of society. A
people established in patriotism are
strong individually and when associ-
ated for political purposes, suggest
great possibilities. Patriotism has
figured conspicuousIy in setting the
standard Of West Virginian character.
1t is a fact worthy of note that our
sturdy West Virginians stubborn
ly refused to be dragged into a rebel
lion against the flag, and what is
-
now the territory of this State al
ways remained loyal to the Union.
Happily u school children are
taught the lives and characters of
the country's founders and defenders,
and that purity, principle and JUS
tice may continue to predominant in
the affairs of State. The study of
the careers of Washington and Lin
coin should be kept up, until the
deeds of their noble lives are reflect
ed i'll tie conduct of coming genera
lions. The American flag should float
above every school house, and our
children should be taught to rever-
ence and defend it as they would
their w homes and firesides, be-
cause respect for the flag creates ma
tional pride and in this manner all
citizens become patriots.
1.-THE firm, determined chracter of
West Virginians is becoming well
known, and will sooner or later be-
come historic. Mountain reared men
1 w CT Nh = hltbItiOlS, III di1DiIlOI.
mixed with brains, cannot easily be
suppressed. The proud acts of our
men are now the envy of ambition.
We boast of good government, and
upon this depends the safe guarding
Of every interest of our people. We
have no classes or casts.-all are free
men, and all have but one ideal and
destiny, that of exalted citizenship.
Much, my friends that I started out
to accomplish has been left undone
and yet what has been done, / trust
has been for the good of one and all.
Some of us are partisans, but above
and behind it is a greater love for
country and State / would have
done much more but the times SEEM
ingly were not ripe for the introduce
ton of many changes, which to me
appeared as ideals. These W ill come
later on. Happily the world is NOV
ing forward-not backward, and l
look for greater growth under my dis
tinguished successor along the lines
winch l. nave ndeavored 20 blaze
out.
We are living under a new dispen-
alton in the government of our COM
monwealth M | believe it is gener-
ally conceded that the masses have
not suffered by the change With
rapid and steady step our State is
MARCHING to tha front We posSaSs
natural resources in many respects
unsurpassed. In this driving, work
-a-day age, it is IA question in bust
ness, as i'll everything else, of the sur
vival OF the fittest. Having the best
qualities and the greatest quantities
of coal and oil and gas and timber,
rich soil and a climate and location
unsurpassed, West Virginia ineyitab-
- -.