Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-01-27
vIYDIcATIoN OF WEST VIRGINIA.


In grave questions of this kind, examinations
and recrimiuatons do not tend to produce a
satisfactory solution. AS Governor Walker
declined to appoint Commissioners on behalf
Of Virginia, no course was left to the Con-
missioners OF this State, except by indepcn-
dent action to procure the data from which to
ascertain what is the equitable proportion "
Of the public debt of Virginia, which West
Virginia ought to assume. The able report Of
the Commissioners happily spares the necessity
on my part of a discussion Of the issues invol-
we'd In this matter 1t will be laid on your
tables in a few days it is entitled TO and will
no doubt receive a candid and earnest eXami-
nation. "The funded debt of Virginia on the
first day Of January, 1861, was S3l, 77S,S67.-
80, after all deductions" All of said debt
was expended within the present State Of
Virginia, with the exception Of S2,656, 33089.
The report will show that this debt repre-
sented money borrowed and expended in i'm
proving the State by canals, railroads, turn
pixies, plank aud bridges" "All these
expenditures conferred local and special ben
eft where expended, not ouly by the outlay Of
the money in creating market, and stimula-
ting enterprise and trade, but in otherwise de-
veloping the resources Of particular localities
to an extent equal to the general benefit to the
State at large 1t may be assumed then that
the public works for which The debt was crea-
ted are worth what they cost. Virginia by
selling, donating and disposng Of these works
as her own property, without consulting West
Virginia, must be taken to have accepted them
on that basis. When the tables accompany
ing the reportl are consulted they will show an
expenditure Of over thirty millions in Virginia,
and about two and half millions in West
Virginia" The Commissioners then come to
the conclusion that the benefits conferred, and
not the territory and population, should be the
principal, If not the only basis Of an adjust
ment Of the debt" To give at length the ar
gumentsadduced to sustain this position, would
make this paper too long to d. less than this,
would be an act of injustice to the Commits
sioners, and greatly weaken the force Of their
arguments The interest Of the people in this
question will cause the report to be widely
read, and there is less necessity therefore for
full discussion on my part. If an Equitable
proportion of the public debt of Virginia is
the limit Of the liability of West Virginia, it is
difficult to see how she can be under obliga-
tons TO pay for Improvements that do not con-
fer any benefit upon her. Taking the forego-
ing basis for guidance, tie Commissioners
report that West Virginia's proportion Of the
debt is something less than one million Of dol
lars. This balance is reached by charging
West Virginia with the amount OF expendi-
ture for all purposes within her limits, and
crediting her with her interests in the public
buildings, and other assets named; also with
her share in the Literary Fund and Surplus
Fund. These calculations lave reference to
the date Of January ], 1861. 1t will demand
your serious consideration whether you will
now proceed to assume whatyou may conceive
to be the equitable proportion of the pub
lie debt Of Virginia prior to January /, 1861,
or whether you will, in the light Of past events,
await further action on the part Of Virginia.