The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-02-08
,,..osnondence of the Register.


WAS elsborstely ornate, yet was not &C
nroioundly logical as might have been
expected from such distinguished quar-
ter, His subject, "The Relations of Law
10 Civil Liberty" was an admirable selec'
uop, and one replete with useful thought:
for the nascept mind of the University
bows. But his argument was specious
glit.ering, useless. He made sn earnest
sppeal in behalf of law and loyalty to
law, vet he failed 10 show that the fruit
full cause of all the social and political
evils now flooding the land is the enact.
ment of laws by corrupt practices, and
for corrupt purposes. The perverslon OF
law to selfish uses is what robs it OF lts
dignity, dethrones its supremacy and
teaches subjects to defy lis authority.
Here may be found the reason why the
country ID suffering from mob violence
and bank failures. But the most remark
sble utterance of Mr.. Wiley is this:
Even West Virginia is not free from
corruption. When she applied for ad-
mission TO the Union it was with the eE-
press understanding that she should pay
her proportion of the old Virginia debt,
bu: not one cent OF II has ever been paid.
Young men, see TO 1t that the honor OF
the State bs redeemed"
The stab of Brutus was not more un-
expected to Caesar than this attack upon
The homer of the State from one who
wss present at its birth and At its bsp-
tism-who did the office Of midwife st
the former and stood rs godfather at the
latter. 1t ls cruel thrust coming from
such hands, and it msy be we'll to specu-
lsle little rs 10 the rcasors why it was
given.
REMIEECENCs.
remember land have no doubt that
Mr.. Wiley has some recollection of it)
that in the Constitutional Convention OF
1872 the subject of the Virginia debt was
before the Committee on Taxation and
Finance, and that after due deliberation
the committee made areport-that report
as subsequently, adopted by the conven-
ton being the same article on Taxation
and Finance rs It now stands in the Con-
s.iIution. In this report, however, no di-
rect sllusion was maae 10 West Nirginis's
proportion OF the old Ststs debt. This
omission seemed unsatisfactory TO some
OF the older members OF the convention,
and late in the afternoon, just on the eve
of adjournment for the day, resolution
was submitted and passed without debate
authorizing the President to appoint
select committee Of seven 10 whom this
subject of the STATE dsbt should be spec
isly referred. Early the next morning
the committee WAS announced, but when
il leaked out that alI Of the seven men,
bers were personally Interested in this
qaestion-belng the owners of Virginia
bOnds-s susp ClOn stole across the minds
Of the members Of the convention that
there was cut and dried JOB on hand,
vote bv VIII ch the resolutiUn WAS passed
authorizing the appointment of the COM
mlttee and WAS caT ried by an overwhelm-
ing vote. The resolution was then lsid
on the table, and Is there yet. A refer.
enCe TO the journal Of the convention will
verify this statement.
The contemplated Job" was to insert
sprovisiOn IN the new Constitution bind
ing this State 10 pay all West Virgini.
ans who hold bonds of the old State, IN
faiL, and then West Virginia TO hold the
bonds thus paid as an osset sgsinst any
claim thst Virginia might hereafter set
up against her.
'.lT MIGHT HAVE BEEN
| have recalled this circumstance merely
10 show that il is not always so much
the honor Of the State that the patriot,
who clsmors shout its reputation, has at
heart, as 1t is his individual interest. II
that sstute Septemvir had succeeded in
their well laid scheme, and then have
combined with MIR. John W. Garrett in
his attempted speculation on Virginia
bonds, it is hard 10 tell what the "equita-
be proportion" Of West Vir-
gInis would have been fixed
st. Especially if citizens of West
Virginia. had gone into market and
bought up the old State bonds, and then
hsye claimed the benefits of the clause
which WAS sought to be engrsftoi upon
our organic law, ana have received pay
ment IN fGIL-Our equitable proportion"
might have strung out until II covered
the entire debt, spproximsting sixty mil
hons Of dollars.
How IT'S.
But 10 return TO Mr.. Willey's assault
upon the reputation OF the State. am
81 loss 10 see how any dishonor is
70 be attached to West Virginia
Tor the policy she has pursued in this
matter. Mr.. Wiley Clsims that sd obh-
gston for the payment OF an equitable
proportion OF the debt of the old Com
monweslth wss condition precedent 10
the admission Of this State into the
Union. He ought 10 be familiar with
the history Of that transaction, as he wss
10 Congress 81 that time. And it
might not be out O. the way
10 ask by UhGt lac he held his
seat in Congress st that timer but
l will not digress to discuss that brsr ch
oi the question. Suppose that be Is cor.
re:t and West Virgins obligated herself
to pay an equitable proportion Of the old
debt. Whose fault is it thst it hss not
been psit2 Whist is her eQuitsble pro.
portlon1 These are questions worth study.
ing before making such a chsrge Of dis
honor. The Legislature of this State did
pass bill authorizing 8 commission 70
make 6 settlement with the old State.
The Governor, in compliance with the
requirements of the law, appointed =
commission. The gentlemen composing
the commission visited Richmond ior the
purposes indicated. Instead of being
met IN proper spirit BY the Virgins
authorities, our commissioners were
snuboed. Self-respect, if nothing else.
ioroids that We should take additional
steps In the matter until Virginia makes
further overtures. We have gone 81 far