Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1875-06-05
ar. Faulkner Interviewed.

While Mr. Faulkner was attending the late
District Court Of the United States at Wheel
ing. a reporter e. the Ereaiag Standard called
At his room at the McLure House, and pro-
pounded snudry ia,enosa,ores to him touch
ING several questions of interest to tbepeOplo
Of this state. TIE reporter THIS describes his
reception by Mr. Faulkuer;
The i5uruais, found in Mr. Faulkner no
limiuuliOn Of the pleasing and courteous ad-
dress or Of The clenrueSs aud vigor OF intellect
nal power which, according 70 his contempt
r,ries have characterized the distinguished
gentleman durinl public career Of well upon
\ half century Il cannot be doubted that he
is tie freshest and most active representative
of advanced years now living in our land ; and
Il is eQrally evident, as is well known 10 all
no are familiar with the characters aud repu-
+ tatvus If American statesmen, that he Is POS
ssssed Of a wonderful store Of historical, per-
sonal and classical information, especially that
relating 70 tie political and social past Of the
State and nation.
Our reporter could not but feel an increased
Difference for the person Of the gentleman with
whom he was COnverSiug, when he reflected
that be vas in the presence of the contempo-
rarv and intimate friend Of such men as Clay,
Webster, Calhoun, Benton, John Quincy Adj
ans. and host Of others prominent in the
Constitutional period of the Nations states
mausbip, Of all whom Mr.. Faulkner spoke
freely and with familiarity.
We pass over the remarks which be ascribes
70 Mr. Faulkner upon the vacant judgeship 10
the Court Of Appeals; the Capital injunction
! proceedings pending at Charleston; the reno
/, val Of the state capital; the third term; and
the West Virginia Historical Society, and will
! quote the answer which he ascribes to Mr.
Faulkner to the question which he propound-
Oh 10 him as to his connection with the Har-
per's Ferry suit then pending between the
I United States Government and Adams as
I plaintiffs, aud the Baltimore aud Ohio Rail
road Company defendant. He gives this as
MIR. Faulknsr's reply:
am not here as one Of the counsel in that
case. have declined employment as counsel,
although pressed 10 become such by two of
the Interests concerned am here as the Rep
reSeutative IN Congress from the Second Dis
trict 10 urge final action on the case at the
earliest possible moment Harper's Ferry, as
part Of my district, Is entitled 10 my atten-
ton. The wealth Of that place consists in its
grand and magnificent water power. This
has been leii idle aud unemployed since the
close Of the war, aud thus that once flourish
Ing city Of our State is becoming depopulutej
and has been sinking into a mass OF ruins.
' The Government, having determined a
bout six years ago, not 20 rebuild the national
armcry at lhat point, decided also to make
sale Of an IT'S property, including the water
power on ,Le Potomac and Shenandoah. The
sale was made 90 a company Of mOneylesS
spectators. They were not required by the
terms of sale 20 pay a cent in cash aud they
never have paid dollar on their purchase
The sale should have been treated as a nullity
within oae yearalierit was made Judgments
at law and \ decree 10 chancery have been OBJ
tanned for the purchase money, and resale
Of the property ordered by the court: but in
AZ evil hour the Attorney General came into
Some agreement with these spectators not to
eaf'rce The decree Of sale Cutil question a.
bout Iilh, Of way between them and the Bal
timore and bio Railroad Company should be
determined ia a cause 10 be Instituted in the
United States District C,mt This suit should
never have beel authorized or alapied by the
Government, aud its pendeucy has ever since
created au obstacle % a RESALE.
was here In April when the case was ar
-ued. and 7 am here now 60 have that suit dis
/ posed OF. s. soon as the Case is ended. the
/ Government will b. at liberty to proceed with
q resale 90 tie property, aud thus that valua-
Ole water-pswer which ha. been lying unused
for the last ten years will be Appropriated u
some profitable purpose, either by the Govern
msnt itself, or by some bona fde purchaser /;
and the enterprise and resources OF Harpers
Ferry. freed from the letters that have chained
II 90 inactivity and idienesS for ten or more
years, Will again give .!!e 20 one ci the NEST
interesting spots 10 our State
" We expect some decision from Judge Jack
son tomorrow. What his decree may be,
DO not know Can only hope thar be viii
take such q view of the case As will give it the
promptsSt termination. want all these en-
hsrraSsments removed from my path before /
take nv seat 10 Congress- but. ii necessary,
will bring the power Of the Government to act
upon II in defiance Of the technicalty Of courts
or contracts. The rights and interests of the
people must be protected"
We learn that since the above conversation.
Jadgo jackson has delivered his opinion in the
case, and oyerrulcd the demurrer fled by the
Baltimore aud Ohio Railroad Company. i
will now be necessary for that company to file
an answer TO the bill; but we learn such ar
rau-emcuts have been made, as can leave but
little doubt that fsal decree will be entered
in the cause, when the Court next meets, which
will Je on the 9th of September.
Hon. John W. Garrett for President.
In the event Of the democracy nominating
a Bourbon for the presidency. which is not
rrohs HE thera need Ia very li,flo dopbt says