The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-01-22
West Virginia and the Public Debt OF
Virginia.

In his message to the Legislature Of West
Virginia. which assembled last Tuesday,
Governor STEVENSON speaks as follows of
the responsibility of West Virginia for a
portion of the public debt of Virginia:
1.-The Constitution of the State provides
that An equitable proportion Of the pub
! lie debt of the Commonwealth of' Virginia
prior to the LIST day of January, in the
year one thousand eight hundred and sixty
one, shall be assumed by this State; and the
Legislature shall ascertain the same as soon
as may be practicable, and provide for the
liquidation thereof by sinking fund suffi-
cicnt to pay the accruing interest, and re-
deem the principal within thirty-four
years. Heretofore the unsettled condi-
ton of affairs in Virginia growing out OF
the war has prevented any settlement OF
this question by the authorities Of the two
States but as the relations OF Virginia
| with the Federal Government are likely
soon to be fully restored, am of opinion
that steps should be taken looking to an
carly adjustment of this debt upon fair and
equitable terms.
'"The Legislature at its session in 1867,
on the 2sth day of February, adopted a
Joint resolution which reads That so soon
az the suit of Virginia against this State,
now pending in the Supreme Court of the
United States, to recover jurisdiction over
the counties of Berkeley and Jefferson, has
been finally disposed of, the Governor Of
this State appoint three commissioners on
the part of this State 70 treat with comnris-
siorcrs appointed by the State Of virginia
upon the adjustment Of the public debt OF
said State This suit is not yet settled,
and it will be for you TO determine whc-
Their it is best to defer action upon the sub
iect of the Virginia debt until the question
of the jurisdiction over these counties is
finally decided. Section nine Of An ordi-
nance to provide for the formation o.
a new State etc., passed by the con-
vention for the Reorganization of the
Government of Virginia, August Goth,
1861, provides that 'thc new State shah
take upon itself o just proportion of the
public debt of the Commonwealth of Fir-
cinia prior to the first day Of January,
1861, to be ascertaincd by charging to it
all State expenditures within the limits
thereof, and q just proportion OF the ord-
nary expenses of the State Government
since any part of said debt was contracted,
and dcductins therefrom the moneys paid
into the Treasury of the Commonwealth
from the counties included within the
said new State during the same period.
It is confidently believed that if a settle
mcnt be made upon this basis it will lie
found that West Virginia is liable for but
small proportion of the public debt OF
Virginia. | do not think it necessary to
do more than direct your attention to this
important NATTER
The Governors plan-or rather the plan
of the founders of the new State-lor ap-
portoning the debt is decidedly refreshing.
The millions expended by Virginia in con-
structing canal and a railroad leading right
UP to the boundary line of West Virginia
arc to be left out Of the account! We trust
that the new State will not dishonor its
name by any such trick. 1t would he rrac-
tically reputation Of its just debts. The
amount of the public debt which was owing
by Virginia on the lSt day of January,
1861, should be divided between the two
States according to their population and
wealth at that time. 1t is true, Virginia is
comparatively much poorer now; Iut she
will claim no exemption from the burthen
of her Just share of the debt on this ac
co,int