The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-01-16


Der as q commercial commodity. there
Is another reason why our forests
should be saved. The value Of our
agricultural land depends largely
upon the woods which cover our
mountains. Strip the wilderness from
our uplands.; and our streams viii
dry up In summer. and in the spring
Of the year our fields and bottom lands
willabe washed by floods from rains
and melting snow. The woods, with
their carpets of leaves and moss, act
as sponges 70 take up the excess Of
water when rain is abundant, and to
squeeze 1t out gradually in time of
drouth. Many countries Of the old
world which once supported popufa-
tons, are deserts now. The primary
cause Of the change is believed TO
have been the stripping of forests
from the land. II our forests go like
wise, we may expect similar results.
Is it not the part Of wisdom, of duty,
Of economy, and Of patriotism to post
pone no longer the conservation OF
our forest resources?"
Mr.. Maxwell prints in the pamph.
let bill for an act on this subject.
The jamestown Exposition.
On the first Of August appointed a
commission on behalf Of this State
to the jamestown Exposition. com.
posed of Senator s. B. Elkins and ex:
Governors Fleming, MacCorkle. At
hnson and White, and Mr.. F. NJ.
stanton, now member of the House
of Delegates. This commission, organ.
lied by electing Senator Elliins chair.
man, Gov. MacCorlsle vice chairman
and Mr.. Virgil A. Lewis, the State
Historian and Archivist, secretary.
The reason for appointing this COM
mission in advance Of the meeting of
the Legislature are given in the fol-
lowing letter, which is copy of let
ter to each member OF the commits.
sion:
Dear Sir: The jamestown Exposi-
ton Company proposes to celebrate
the ter-centennia1 of the Nations
birth at jamestown, by an exposition
on the waters and shores of Hamp;
ton Roads, Virginia, from April 26th
to November 80, 1907. This celebra.
ton will emprasize events of historic
pies of religious, social, political and
economic independence first express
ed at jamestown, and later establish
ed by the founders of our Govern.
ment, rather than to exploit to-day's
Industrial development West Wiz.
ginia being the youngest daughter Of
Virginia, and SO closely connected
with the great events 10 pc ceiebrat-
ed, it would seem that our State
should be second to Virginia itself
only in interest in this enterprise. I'm
fortunately, by reason of the celebra.
ton then being three years in I'D.
vance, the last session OF the Legis-
latnre made no appropriation nor took
other action looking 20 the participa-
,tion of$west Virginia In this celebras
ton. Unfortunately again, the next
session of the Legislature does not
meet until January, 1907, and even II
very prompt action should be taken
at the very beginning Of the session
1t would even then be late to do all
the things that ought to be done in
order that West Virginia should be
properly represented at Jamestown.
Therefore. have thought 1t proper
to appoint commission, composed of
five philosophical men who would be
willing to give this matter some time
and attention in advance OF the meet
ing of the Legislature. in order that
there may be presented to the Legis-
Iature. at the beginning of the next
session, matured suggestions with all
necessary information for the repre-.
seatation of West Virginia in this
great historic event with which we
are SO closely connected, SO that the
Legislature may act intelllgently and
promptly.
with this end in view I have the
honor of asking you to serve as a
member of this commission, but you
have no authority to obligate the
State in any sense whatever in PEI
cuniary way. either for any payment
to you for your time OF for your ex.
penses. Neither will your commits
sion be authorized to obligate the
State. legally or morally, for any ex-
pendfture of money whatever. II you
will be willing generously to serve
vice would be greatly appreciated,
and believe that the Legislature will
make suitable provision for proper
representation and participation of
and by West Virginia, in the James
town celebration"
The commission bas had seyaYaI