The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-01-19
.ARBITRATINN.n

of Virginia passed the joint resolution pro-
viding for the appointment Of arbitrator, to
adjust the public debt Of the State between
Virginia and West Virginia. It authorizes
the Governor of this Commonwealth to ten.
der to the State of West Virginia an arbi-
tration of all matters touching a full and
fair apportionment between the TWO States of
the public debt; and in the event of the ac-
ceptance of such offer Of arbitration by West
Virginia, then the Governor, Lieutenant
Governor, President of thc Court of Appeals,
Auditor Of Public Accounts and Secretary of
the Commonwealth, shall appoint two arbitra-
tors on the part Of this State, who shall not
be citizens thereof, to meet any two arbitra-
tors selected by West Virginia not citizens
of said State. Il is left discretionary with
these arbitrators to select fifth one, whose
award shall be submitted to the Legislatures
of the respective States for ratification"
We cannot see any particular good to re-
suit from the proceedings contemplated, with
the restrictions the resolution imposes. In
fact, the term "arbitrators," in this instance,
is msnomer, if the result Of their investi-
cations and decision is to be submitted to the
Legislatures Of the two States for "ratifca-
ton" An arbitration is generally and liter
ally considered substitution for the judy
ment Of a Court, and is final This PROPOSE
ton simply means that we will 60 to tie ex-
pense and labor of getting an awardment
from what is more properly board of com.
missioncrs, to be thrown into the legislative
arena to be kicked and cuffed about, until ii
is finally throwu out as not the precise thing
that was wanted. The two legislatures never
will agree upon any awardment evolved in
the manner proposed. And we very much
! question whether competent gentlemen-men
of high standing and undoubted integrity
, and ability--could be gotten to serve in such
dubious capacity. It is an advance decla
ration of want of confidence in their judg
mcnt aud self Prospect would impel gentlemen
r to decline the doubtful honor.
i, What we want is a final settlement of thu
y debt between the two States, let the proper
. ton Of West Virginia Re large or small.
! "arbitrators" are to disappointed, let them b
f empowered to aybirate-settle and close tin
e matter Let their awardment be final W
J. do not want this vexatious question to hans
n upon us for an indefinite period Of time. Their
S has to be an understanding about it, and tina
: is precisely what the two legislatures will new
err arrive at, if the matter is referred back t.
t them. Senator Waddell embraced the tru
: idea in his motion to strike out this referenc
y feature of the resolution. 1893
FATAL ARRAY.
On the 18th inst, Dr. W. H. Roberts,
= dentist, and native of Texas but for som
, time past practicing his profession in Liberty
- Va, was shot through the heart and kille
= by W. ". Johnston, son Of Hon. Jas. Foot
:. Johnston, in front of Phelps Hotel, Liberty
It appears that valuable dog, belonging t
Young Johnston, had been matreated in Rot
- erts' Office, by having turpentine thrown owe
him, and fire set to it, Johnston met Robert
on the street, and asked for an explanation {
the affair." Roberts admitted that the ma
treatment had occurred his Office, but state
Ia that he was not the party who perpstrated tn
:. act Johnston demanded the names of tn
10 JiJ - Poborfc doo1ioa6 n
\ them. without their permission. Johnsto
told Roberts that he would hold him respo1
! sible for the act, and to prepare for chastist
. ment, drawing COW hide at the same tim
,r and changing it to his left hand. Robert
- instantly drew his pistol, as did also Johnston
and both commenced firing. Five shots wer
- fired, three by Johnston and two by Robert
- Two of Johnston's shots took effect one in tt
side and the other through the heart o. Rol
erts. Johnston was unhurt. He was arreste
9 and committed.
:. A correspondent of the Richmond VIII
# says that Roberts anticipated an attack an
# the result The day previous he prepared h
- will, bequeathing his personal effects to var
Gus friends He also arranged to return tn
letters of several young ladies with whom
had been corresponding. He was buried b
lie the Friends of Temperance, OF which Soclet
le he was member, and his remains were TO
ID lowed to the grave by large number of cit
p, zens, among whom were many ladies', VIII
j. strewd the grave and coffin with flowers an
evergreens.
~ Here are two families thrown into the PR
b foundcst sorrow one young man killed, an
another possibly to be branded BY. the law 8
ID felon, all resulting from the cowardly pra'
:, tice of carrying concealed weapons. The Les
r. islature should at once take,.up this subJec
he and enact law making the carrying OF COZ
ty cealed weapons capital offence.
ID DECLINE IN THE PRICE OF BEEF.-O
Monday last the price of beef in New Yor
was lower than it has been at any previor
u time during the last seven years. From lS6
d to 1868 there was an unusual scarcity OF be-