Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-03-11
The state Debt.

Mr. Shelley, of Smyth county, offered the
following important resolutions in the House
of Delegates on Thursday, aud by leave had
them placed Oh The calendar:
l. Resolved, That the dismem bermsnt of tn g
State of Virginia and the creation of the State
of West Virginia within the limits and jurisdic-
ton of the said State of Virginia was unwar-
rsnted, illegal and unconstitutional.
g That this General Assembly cannot ignore
the fact that said State of West Virginia existed
rs State de facto it cannot recognize it as .
State de jure, but solemniy protests against all
a.t, measures and proceedings for the forma-
within the limits and Jurisdiction of the State of
Virginia. as violation of the rights of the State
Of Virginia and of the Constitution of the
United States.
g. But this General Assembly has to deal with
the fact, 81 it exists, of said dis mem berment and
Virginia by means beyond the power and con-
:rol Of the true State of Virginia, establishing
practically two States out of one of the original
States of the Union, and also with the relations
and liabilities OF said two States in respect to the
public debt of Virgins IS it existed on the LIST
March 80, 1871 called the Funding bill, it Is re-
cited that in the formation of West Virgi MIA
there were included within its boundaries shout
one third Of the terrific: y and population of the
State OF Virginia" and provision Is made Tor
funding in the mode prescribed two thirds Of
the public debt. For the other third certificates
are authorized to be issued, setting forth the
amount of the bond not funded, and that pay
ment of said amount with interest, will be pro-
vided for upon settlement to be had between
this State and West Virginia. In regard 10 the
public debt existing at the time of the dismem-
berment of Virginia, and that said bonds 80 far
as unfunded are held by this State in trust for
the holder or his ASST gnees. Provision is made
of similar character in relation to one third of
the sterling bonds, pays able in accordance with
such final settlement as shall be made with
West Virginia. The contemplated settlement
with West Virginia has never been made, and
is not now likely ever to be made, In view of
this state of aft .irs
This General Assembly declares that so long
as said dismem berment remains, and the State
of W. est Virginia shall be maintained and re
cognixed by tho government of the United
States IS State, and shall not be restored fully
to the Jurisdiction and made subject to the laws
OF Virginia, SIS part thereof, this State OF Viz
gina can never recognize or pay the said one
third part of the pubic debt Of Virginia prior
to the LIST day of January, 1861. is it not
part of the existing debt of Virginia ~ No set
Element can impose on this State the great
wrong Of its payment No contingency, short
of the complete restoration and reconstruction
of the State as it was (Which seems at present
improbsble) can arise upon which claim OF
said portion could ever be entertained. Its pay.
ment, present or prospective, by this State is In
the language of the message of his E1cellency,
the Governor of Virginia. to this Assembly. AN
obvious impossibility."