Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1856-01-19
vIRGINIA LEGISLATURES.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
THURSDAY. Jan. 10. 1856.
TnE .noAnp % puRLIc WORKS.


THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
The Speaker laid before the House the follow
ing communication from the Secretary of the
Board OF Public Works:
OrFIcE OF THE BoAEp OF PUaLIc WoREs,
Richmond, Jan. 10, 1856.
To o. N. CEUrcHFIELn, Esq,
Speaker House Of Lelegttea o. Virginia:
SIE:-Ihe Board Of Public Works have direc
ted me to submit the following response to the
resolution adopted by the House of Delegates on
the 18th ultimo:
/. The Indebtedness on the part Of the Board,
foc estimates OF work done remaining unpaid,
amounts to Ss16,957 80.
.. The Acknowledgements given by the Board
to persons entitled to payment consists of drafts
drawn upon the Board Of Public W forks by the
Engineers and Superintendent in charge of
works conducted on State account, and by the
Presidents Of Joint stock companies, for the
amounts due BY the State on account Of its sub
scription to their respective capital stocks
These drafts bear two endorsements, one by the
Board of Public Works, authorizing their pay
ment, and the other by the Second Auditor, sta
ting that they viii be paid, with interest, when
in funds.
g. On the 9th of Februery last, the Board
passed an order, declaring that they would pay
interest upon all drafts in the fund of internal
improvement, from the time said drafts are order
/ ed by SAID Board to be paid
i. In answer TO the last inquiry, ito state by
what authority it has been undertaken to bind
the Commonwealth for the payment of interest, I"
the Board have to say, that in regard to that
portion of the above stated Indebtedness, which
had been incurred in the construction of works
solely on State account, in the absence Of any
statutory inhibition the Board, as the represen-
tativcs of the State,-in this instance, debtor
unable to pay debts due by contract,-and, with
view to the safety OF the credit and good faith
of the State, did not feel at liberty to refuse to
give the assurance, so common, and not more
common than just, between debtor aud creditor,
that when payment was made, not only the prin-
cipal would be liquidated, but the interest that
had accrued from the maturity fthe debt should
also be paid.
In regard to the claims Of Joint stock compa-
MES, there was a difference which consisted sim
ply in the fact that the payment of interest on
them was p ohibited by statute. Whether the
statute ever contemplated such an extraordinary
state of affairs rs has been in existence for the
| last twelve months, or merely looked the pro-
lection of the fund of internal improvement a.
gainst unnecessary demands, is question which
may be regarded as relevant to this communica-
| ton. However the Board of Public Works
and the companies having charge of the important
Improvements in thel State, were involved i'll Sc
to sell the bonds of the State at their par value
the companies had made contracts for the Vigor-
Gus prosecution ofthe respective works, and the
contractors had in their employ large and expen-
siye forces. Besides, the Legislature was not in
session, and would not be for several months
The alternative therefore, presented to the Board
as they supposed, was to agree to pay interest
on these drafts, and cash for them and continue
their works or, unable to pay the principal, to
refuse also topay the interest, and thus deprive
the companies Of the power to borrow money
upon them, and force them to suspend their work,
diSband their forces, bankrupt stockholders and
contractors, and bring into disrepute the good
name and credit ofthe State. The alternative
chosen, the Board are happy to believe, howev.
CT opposed itmay be to the letter of the law, has
resulted in great advantage to the various i'm
iproyements interested without the loss of dol
lar in money to the State-for it is proper here
to remark that, under existing circumstances
the State is required TO pay no more than if thu
Board had sold bonds to the amount of the pres
tent outstanding drafts.
In conclusion the Board direct me to say that
lat their present meeting new drafts have been
presented for payment, amounting in the aggre-
gate to $4,000 80, and it may be that before
they adjourn others will be presented. Ofthose
now on the table, the sum Of $l1,5I6 50 is for
work constructed solely on State account, and
the Board feel no hesitation in ordering the pay
ment ofinterest on them as heretofore. The bal
ance, 100000 81, is composed entirely of the
drafts of similar character, the Board will de-
cline to pay interest unless otherwise directed by
the Legislature.
Very respectfully,
] Your ObeCiient servant
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