The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-07-06

Cudseu Iut HloL lJs NJ I"cHIN NphtS pb VIZ
dollar the second at fifteen cents, and
the last batch and the biggest slice at five
cents.
One conjecture Is that he is merely
buying them for his corporation to offset
West Virginia's lax claim against the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad There is
nothing in this view, first, because they
! arc not available for sucn purpose, as
no court would be corrupt enough to ad-
NIT rs an CiseL claim where there was
no liability Oh the par! of the defendant.
West Virginia never issued the certiti-
Gates, and so far as their redemption Is
concerned Ia 10 more responsible than
the man in the moon. In the second
place the State tax against the Baltimore
and Ohio Company only amounts to Sl7,-
600 annually, hence there would be no
necessity 10 purchase millions OF the
securities, even If they were available.
The next conjecture is that Mr.. Garret
will buy up the 3lo, 100000 claim against
the State, and buying at 3 cents on the
dollar, will expend $750,0OO, and then
undertake by putting a part OF it where
1t will do the most good" to induce the
Legislature to assume payment OF the
whole amount. 1t Is claimed that
judlcous expenditure OF some three or
four millions among torty-tive West
Virginia law makers might open their
honest cOnsCienCes TO the necessity OF the
State paying her proportion.
1t Is distressing thought that such
thing is possible, or tnat high
toned gentleman of MIR. Carrots
standing would engage in any such meas
ure, therefore it is best to dismiss that
view OF it, The third and most probs.
BILE conjecture is that MIR. Garrett will
appear as plaintiff in suit against the
State TO compel settlement and enforce
payment OF whatever amount may be
decided AS due from West Virgin II.
Looking aL it as purely business trans
action, there can be no objection to that
course. Our debt commissioners, Messrs.
jackson, BeDnett and Campbell, report
liability on our part OF nearly one mil
lion dollars, While their action
is not conclusive against the
state, yet it will go long way
IN determining the amount to be assess
ed against US. AS Mr.. Garrett pays
$4,000 for The certificates, and on y re-
celves what our own commissioners find
to be due from us, he will have made
speculation of over two hugdrrd tnous.
and dollars.
But take what view of it we please,
this transaction means trouble aud an
noyance to West Virginia. 1t means
expensive litigation; II means n burtnen
OF debt, how much we are unable TO tell.
1t opens the door tUr corruption In our
legislatures and courts. A syndlCate has
been formed to bleed West Virginia, and
the people OF the State must look to their
interests. 1t has It's bearing upon the
question now sgltatng the
people of the State "a perHa
ncut location OF the capital, with
the seat OF government NJ ClarksburS or
Martjnsburg on the line OF the Baltimore
and OHIO road, and the president OF that
corporation with Sl5,OOO,OOO Ot these de.
ferred certificates in his pockets, 1t Is
not unfair to AT least apprehend danger.
Members OF the legislature i'll gong to
the seat of government will nave To
ride over the road; passes are furnished
10 members OF the legislature members
OF the Legislature, ss rule, accept free
passes, and Il tree pass Is accepted and the
delegate has placed hlmseitunder ooLiga-
tion to the corporation whose courtesy n
enjoys. Members Of legislature are
not always miallibie, aad the experience
OF New York and PennsyIvaGis proves
that corporations can rule State as well
as run "a railroad 1t might be we'll
enough Tor the people OF West Nlrghia
to digest these thing. before voting in
August.
Mr.. CARROTS transaction may be OF Nh
ordinary business character, and honora-
bic in its aims. Yet every taxpayer IN
the State has direct interest involved IN
the result OF 1t, aud II Is the part OF COM
mon wisdom for every taxpayer 10 seek
his own protection. They nave the facts
before them and can act accordingly.
q. II. Nj.