Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1874-05-02
OFFICE IN "JErrERsoN BuuprxG."
Saturday, Msy 2, 1874.
Indebtedness of West Virginia -
MI Faulkner.
We take the following paragraph from the
Winchester Times Of tic sth Of April:

We take the following paragraph from the
Winchester Times Of tic sth hof April:
"Thc Martiusburg Statesman produces a
speech delivered by the Hon. Charles James
Faulkner, Minister to France under Buchanan ;
administration in which the distinguished zen
temau takes the broad ground that West Vir-
uiuia does not owe one cent Of the debt oi
tie State Of Virginia
It docs not appear whether the above para
graph is original, or has been copied but
whether original in the Times or not, it is un-
true, aud no speech presenting any such view
has ever been made by Mr. Faulkner. or pub
ushed in the Statesman. No zone in the con-
vention took more decided ground than Mr..
Faulkner in support Of the IDEA that West
Virginia should act with the most perfect good
faith in adjusting the question Of Indebtedness
between that State and Virginia. BE did not
prejudse the question He never asserted that
not one cent was due from West Virginia but
expressed himself ready and willing 10 abide
at al times by the results Of a fair negotiation.
or by the decision Of the Supreme Court Of the
United States.
But he did exhibit tie conduct of Virginia
in passing her funding act Of the 30th Of
March 1871, BY which tha: State relieved her
self Of the burden Of one third Of her debt
upon the pretext Of West Virgiuia's liability
for that amount. and threw that burden upon
the bond d-holders lie then predicted. more
than two years ago, that the State Of Virginia
would probably never again revive the sub
iect of that settlement with the State 0f West
Virginia, either by negotiation, arbitration. or
by an appeal to the Supreme Court lie said
that Virginia had by that act and by the con-
sent If the bond-hollers, become relieved Of
$4,000, 600 90 Of her public debt, and as she
could not become bound for its payment, by
the terms Of that arrangement until after a
settlement with West Virginia, it was not likely
that she would ever again renew a proposition
for a settlement which could only result, ac-
corling to every probability. in reviving a
large proportion Of that Indebtedness against
her. So long as matters rest in their present
condition, she stands virtually absolved from
the payment Of SlG,OOO,OOO 90. Should a
settlement take place, and it result in ascertain
ing an indebtedness BY West virginia Of 81
OOO, 10000 as reported by our commissioners, /,
then there would he an instantaneous revival
Of an Indebtedness Of $4,000, 900 90 agains,
Virginia.
Can Virginia, under such circumstances,
have any motive 20 revive this question with
West Virginia. aud has MT the prediction Of
Mr.. Faulkner been literally verified, 50 far
least. as that Virginia would uu, again renew
any proposition fjr settlement? Three wears
have now gone by since the funding act of
Virsi ia was Tassed. aud yet we have not
heard one word from tha. day 10 this. either in
her halls of legislation, or Ia the messages Of
her executives, touching this alleged debt of
West Virginia Could anything he more con-
elusive as to the construction which Virginia
has placed upon her own funding act, aud of
the benefits which size has derived from her
arrangement with her own boud-bolders p
H1-fiR.bvrq SfqfeSrasa.