The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1872-07-04
Mr.. Faulkner on West Virginia Land
Titles.

Mr.. Faulkner on West Virginia Land
Titles.
We copy from the Wheeling Reg's'er'
aud as they appear in the current debates
in the Convention, some remarks made by
Mr., Faulkner on the subject Of the land
titles west Of the Allegheny mouutains.-
We think the convention has acted wisely
in settling these disputed questions by con-
stitu.ional provision, aud we think the peo-
pie of this section owe q debt Of gratitude
to those who took 40 active aud prominent
part 10 accomplishing that result.
Mr.. Faulkner said thst ho did not pro.
fess to be intimately acquainted with the
intricate questions Of law growing ont Of
the land titles Of this State, but having
listened with great interest to the views
presented BY gentlemen spou this subject,
and to the earnest appeals made 70 the
Convention, be had a very decided opinion
as to wha. was the true policy Of the State
90 that subject.
In this section Of the State they bad
had but little difficulty about their land
titles His district was embraced within
what was called the northern neck Of Vir.
giuia-a grant Of land made BY Charles
II, and which subsequently, became the
property Of Lord Fairfax. The patents
issued BY tie Lord proprietor were small
10 quality Of land made TO actual settlers.
aud the location executed BY competent
and experienced surveyors The land Of.
Gee Of Greenway Court was conducted
with system and judgement. 1t was too
much 10 be regretted tha. the wise and ju.
dicious regulations Of Lord Fairfax bad
not been adopted BY Virginia in The dis
posal ofher lands. But they we're all IA.
miliar With the fact that more vicious
system could not have been adopted than
,ba. OF Virginia; aud the evils under which
this State bad now been laboring for more
than half a century are attributable to this
unwise policy.
He was pleased to sec that this subject
the land titles Of West Virgiuia-were
now to be made matter Of constitutional
arrangement No subject was more wor.
thy Of the attention Of the Convention -
Too much indulgence had already been OK.
tended to the large holders Of the naked
titles to our uuoccupied lands He could
account for this indulgence by Virginia; it
was incompreheusiOle. to him By West
Virginia. These naked titles hang like a
heavy mist over our mountain State.
They retarded immigration; checked set.
Elements, and lef, some very large portions
Of our State the abode Of wild beasts =
These titles had been repeatedly forfeited
by the take, Of the parties Interested. and
by their failure to comply With their just
obligations to the State; and so often, by
q mistaken generosity they bad been
restored to their owners |, was time tina.
q stern aud memorable policy Of forfeiture
should be adopted and enforced on behalf
of the actual settler. 1t was his right to
demand it, and our duty to coucedc it,
Prescribe for the last time, the terms upon
which these titles shall be further held, and
il those absentee propretors shall fail ,c
comply with those terms let there be nc
further equity Of redemption Let the
forfeiture be inexorably enforced, and
award to the actual occupant the righI
which God has given him to the land as
| mans inheritance on earth. and which i,
is our duty as statesmen, to secure him.
He had examined the report Of the com
mittee upon that subject. and was prepar
ed to sustain its policy. He would Il
even beyond the recommendation of th'
committee aVd limit the period peyont
which not even the disabilities Of infancy
or covcrture could prevent the occupation
Of these lands by the actual settler. -
There was an essential State policy nvolv
cd in this subject to which even individual
rights mus. be made 10 yield.