The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-11-18
THE WEST VIRGINIA COMMITS
SIONExS IN RICHMOND.


THE WEST VIRGINIA COMMITS
SIONExS IN RICHMOND.
We published yesterday morning an
extract from the Richmond Dispatch
OF the 18th inst. in relation to the pro-
ceedings OF the West Virginia Public
Debt Commissioners now in the city OF
Richmond. We thought at the time
that the item needed some explanation.
and we are glad to present this morning
the card of the Commissioners setting
forth the circumstances Of the case.
The Dispatch of the 10th says, edit
ORALLY:
The card of the West Virginia Com
missioners theoretically imputes inciv-
ility to the Virginia Executive. There
is some misunderstanding in the matter,
some default in a full communication
with the Executive, we are sure. The
Governor is incapable of incivility in
his official relations, and could have no
motive to be 50 IN the present case.
The people and officials Of the two Vir-
ginias would, we doubt not, vie with
one another in acts Of mutual kindness
and hospitality, and we are sure there
is no purpose in the Virginia capital
inconsistent with this friendly spirit
That the West Virginia Commission
ers have not been received by Governor
WALKER as was due to them, both as
individuals and in their capacity as
representatives Of this State, is sutfi'
GENTLY evident. These gentlemen are
not in the habit Of saying what they do
not mean, nor OF affiixing their sigma
ture to statements not literally correct.
The item in the Dispatch, which was
the first public mention Of the work OF
the Commissioners we have seen since
their arrival in Richmond, was proba-
bly the result of the misunderstanding
that had arisen, and, by speaking
slightingly of their efforts to pertornthelr
duty, imputed to them the blame that
should rest upon other shoulders. In
self defense and TO set themselves
right before the people OF the two
States, the Commissioners have been
forced to make public the statement
contained in their card. We agree
with the Dispatch that the people oil
the two Virginias "vie with each
other in acts OF mutual kindness and
hospitality" and we are glad to believe
that among the citizens Of Richmond
there is no purpose inconsistent with
this friendly spirit. We remember,
however, that the Governors message
to the Virginia Legislature last winter
contained some expressions that were
regarded as distasteful to our people,
and which were scarcely less condemned
by great many of the people of Nir-
ginia themselves. Governor WALKER s
reception of our Commissioners is in
keeping with the spirit manifested in
that message, though what cause OF
offense West Virginia has given, or
what his motive may be, we are at a
loss to imagine.
The West Virginia Commissioners
were appointed by Governor JACOB in
compliance with a joint resolution Of
the Legislature adopted February 10Th,
1871, and are acting in obedience to the
terms Of that resolution. Subsequently
to the adoption OF this resolution notice
was received by Governor JACOB that the
Legislature Of Virginia proposed TO
submit the apportionment Of the public
debt to board of arbitrator not citi-
zens Of either Of the two States con-
cerned, and the decision OF this board
was to be final and not subject to ratifi
cation by either State. A special com
mittee was appointed to consider the
proposition and, on the oath Of Febru-
airy, a joint resolution was adopted de-
Ginning to agree to that mode OF adjusting
the debt. The West Virginia Legsla-
ture adhered to its former plan of
action and invited the commonw ealth Of
Virginia to appoint three commission
ers with authority to treat with those
designated by this State This invita-
ton was not accepted, no commission
ers were appointed on the part OF Viz
ginia, but in order to ascertain if pos
sible the amount of debt that is justly
chargeable to West Virginia, and make
report to the Legislature at its next
session in accordance with the terms OF
the resolution under which they act,
Messrs. JACKSON, BENNETT and CAMP
BELL are now in Richmond.
The Governor of Virginia has here
tofore manifested a very impatient
anxiety for the apportionment of the
debt and the settlement of accounts be-
tween the two States, and the people
of West Virginia will feel some disap-
pointment in knowing that he has not
extended to their representatives that
courtesy and given them that assistance
that Was reasonably expeated.