davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-07-05

composing the present State OF West Wiz.
g1uia; And yet this State is ed to pay
one-third OF the money employed In Inn
never benefited western Virginia To the
extent OF q dollar. And during this time
what had Western Virginia done toward
she only received out OF the common
iund something over two and q nalf mil
hons OF dollars 20 keep her turnpikes In
a passnoie condition and build her luna
Commonwealth Of Virginia "a, so2 % o. or a
million dollars more than she recei we'd N
the way OF public buildings and misoelia.
only true and equitable way of settlement
10 charge what has been paid and credit
what has been received. On this b~sis the
einia Instead OF west virgins owing
her." - N
Another obstacle is that the Com
stitution Of West Virginia prohibits
the creation of State debt, 90 that
unless IL should be amended, the
money for paying of these certii-
Gates would have TO be raised by
taxation. which the people of the
STATE are too poor to bear. Never
thelcss, there is agrowing feeling In
favor OF compromises, and ~ 1t
would take very little money to
effect IL on the basis OF the present
market value Of the certificates, one
may soon be adopted. Mr.. Garrett,
the President Of the Baltimore ami
Ohio Railroad Company IL credited
with holding the greater portion of
the certificates, and with Intending
to offer them In payment Of the
taxes due to the State on that pOr-
ton of bis road which lies within
It's jurisdiction. II this be true, the
negotiation would be q simple one,
and ought to be brought easily to q
successful termination.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-07-05
A Fine PORT.
Firm the Richie Gazette.

The jackson Herald contains q
very sensible statement ir regard
to This Stat : share OF the Virginia
debt, linked with an idea which we
do not consider 80 wise. 1t says:
The difference between this
: a.e assuming it, just share OF old
TX. MAE n b.e ne and the
pay luent o. jus, Whatever that
STATE says W must pay Is very con.
siderable. Most people, too, will
think that they are able To distiD-
RGish between the payment OF
bonds to parties who bought them
In good faith. expecting them TO be
PAID, and such payments 10 specu-
iatCTs who bought them for a song,
expecting by OTibtTy and lobbying
10 induce tue Legislature To- pay 100
cents on the dollar Jr the bonds"
That first sentence Is correct, but
we 40 not So the ias in "a light 10
approve IL. II u T. ever properly
determined that West Virkinla IL
u sole f"r portion Of tuis debt, We
-Ay puy II without any grumblinR.
II - Dot the business 81 Gebtor 10
iDqIiTe bow many cenisOu the dol
iaT al assig Jre pays for bJnd, Civ.
Ell b. tie former. And bribery ~
Az offsuse Of itself punish Ible by
liu. IfaDy one comm its 81 let him
suff-r as thu law directs. But this
should not he tde pTetext
~ avoid a just deUJ.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-07-05
p ON the Phillipi PlaIndealer.

From the Phillip Plaindealer.
We present to our readers this
week a supplement, In which will
be found an article taken from the
Wheeling SUNDAY LEADER on the
"Virginia Debt" question. We be-
lieve this article represents the
views Of the people Of the State.
In 1860 the debt amour ted to
S31, us, 667. 80. and Of this i'm msnse
sum only 81. 7S4, 1923 % were expend-
ed in that part Of the State now
comprising the State Of West Vlr-
ginia, while she paid into the treas.
ury Of Virginia So Sg2, 900. "On this
basis Virginia really owes West
Virginia instead OF West Virginia
owing herr
The West Virginia certificates
referred to in the supplement- have
been bought up by the President Of
the Il. Il o. r.. r. Gu. and IL would
certainly please him to learn that
the Legislature Of West Virginia
had so far wandered from Justice
and intelligence as To assume the
payment OF any part Of the debt Of
Virginia.
This matter will have due atten-
ton Ira the selection Of men To rep
resent the several counties OF this
State In the next Legislature.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-07-05
Another Level Head.
From the Randolph Enterprise.

from the randolph Enterprise.
With this issue we send supple
ment devoted to the question of the
Virginia debt and what part Of It
West Virginia shall pay, containing
the researches Of Mr.. johnson, OF
the SUNDAY LEADER, on that i'm
portsit subject. IL places the mat
ter before the people In as fair q
light as possible.
The general sentiment Of the PEG
pie Is that IL there he any amount
due the old State, IL is proper and
right for West Virginia to assume
the payment Of that amount. but
there are very few who are 40 de-
luded as to believe that there IL OF
right, ANYTHING due Virginia from
West Virginia, and a careful peru.
sal ut Mr. Johnson's article ought
to set such persons Alright on the
question.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-07-05
at Cannot be Said TO be Move In the
Interest Of Any Political Party"

From the sutton Mountaineer.
By careful perusal OF the sup
plement, prepared by the editor Of
the Wheeling SUNDAY LEADER,
obtained and sent out by us last
week for the benefit of our readers,
II will be observed that = precau-
tionsry step has been taken to warn
the cit z4Ds OF West VirRiDis against
the impoeition Of larger portion Of
the indebtedness Of she old State,
than, perhaps, would be due upon
fair, Just and equitable settlements.
It IL question, I'm which all are
personally interested, because Of the
great burden Of taxation, that will
be heaped upon US, should we have
any portion OF that large debt to
pay. Hence II cannot be said TO be
a move Ia the interest Of any POI
litIcal party. IL Involves a question,
shout which there IL much differ
ence Of opinion; some maintaining
that. upon q fair and equitable ad-
justment, We would owe the old
State nothing; while others are OF
the opinion that our portion Of the
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-07-05

l. more than likely that the holders
OF the debt have by their own acts
taken I'm connection with the actsof
the State OF Virginia relieved this
State OF all liability i'm this connec.
tiop. For Instance, IL the deb. ba.
been refunded and the bogus West
Virginia certificates described by
the LEADER, then this State is re.
lieved.
IL will soon behoove the people OF
TINS state tn see that the proper re-
presentatives are sent from each
county To the Legislature to, guard
their interests in this con nection.
Mr.. johnson, Of the Wheeling
LEADER, Ia entitled 10 great credii
for his enterprise In laying this sub
Ject properly before the people, aud
10 no doubt actuated by a desire TO
promote public welfare.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-07-05
II Should be 80 Ia Every cou liy
From toe BuekbanDon Banner.

From toe Buekbanpon Banner.
The Phillippi Pdindedter says
that no man can be elected to the
Legislature from Barbour county
unless he is opposed 10 paying the
debt OF old Virginia exacis Of US
There Will be some questions pro.
pounded from JefTers III county. al.
40, says the Shephsrdstown Rcgis.
ter. IL is well enough To know huw
such men stand on this quest ~ he.
fore electing them TO tine Legisls-
ture.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-07-05
Very Good Advice.
From the Buckhanuon Delta.


We give TO our r, aIers this week
a large tSenty eight column sup.
plement which contains much good
reading and useful Information.
We desire to call especial attention
TO the article on the Virginia Debt,
which will be found ON the first and
second pages. Tbis article was
prepared with great pains, and no
doubt with considerable expense
by the Wheeling SUNDAY LEADER
The Virginia debt question H. 10
doubt A. an early day to be a due--
ton tO b. sRitated and possibly bs
acted upon by our Legislature. We
Therefore ADVISE al! LO read this or.
ticie csrefG ~ aid preserve il for IN /.
ture reference.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-07-05
Warm But Sensible.

From the shepherdstown Register.
We sent out with our issue of last
week q supplement-, containing an
elaborate statement OF the partition
OF the State debt by old Virginia,
and fac smile Of q certificate is-
sued by said State, bearing an i'm.
press Of West Virginia's PROBABLE
responsibility to pay said certificate
OF indebtedness, amounting In
all to some fifteen millions of dol
lars.
Debt k either Of an individual
or associated and collective charac-
ter, and to be binding must be for
value received, or Voluntarily as
suned; and no parties creating an
obligation OF Indebtedness under
either OF the above terms should
seek or desire TO escape from fair.
and Just settlement of the same.
Tho circumstances causing this
partition, and the facts To be consid.
cred whether West Virginia should
pay this debt or any part Of IL. are
peculiar, and Can only be considered
upon the principle Of equity; 1t
should not be left to the chances Of
legislative chicanery.
Ii Virginia has any claims against
West Virginia, let her present IL In
due form; IL just, II should be fairly
and promptly settled, cut IL Is of
Questionable character, or merely
presumptive, IL should be rejected;
then n the old State felt aggrieved
she h&s her redress through the
courts.
West Virginia cannot recognize
any binding force in those certfi-
Gates issued by Virgins; any party
purchasing them exhibits an offic
ious design, OF Is deluded 10y AN un-
comfortable spirit of cupidity.
We were not so much surprised
to learn that John w. Garrett--as
Garrett or as President Of the b. &
0. II. II ,-cormorant like, was buy
ing up these certificates, with such
. prospective sum to reward his ev-
arice, how he would ply his supple
jacks, retainers and parasites, who
with sycophantic devotion stand
ready 10 serve him for the crumbs
IEOtn Ills DElNhts VI OtuSthi bADtcs
We should regard any allusion to
Mr.. Garrett In connection with
State affairs as STOPPING, IL IL were
not that he is the representative of
wealthy corporation which has
motives In, and Is constantly aim
ing to trsmmel on our State.
We would appeal TO our people
throughout our State, who respect
their just rights and true interests,
to he guarded and vigilsnt In their
selection of representative men In
our legislative bodies for some years
to come, az we have accumulatlve
precedents, both In State and
National legislatures, Of the bold,
devious efforts Of railroad organ MIA
tons subsidizing legislation. There
Is no scheme too bold, no DEVICE
too subtle, no trick too degrading.
to- awe or put to shame railroad Au-
dacity; therefore the sooner hoBor-
able men In public legislative posi-
lions put them under proper legal
restraint, the better and more credi-
table IL will be.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-07-05

From the Monroe hegistss.
The Wheeling SUNDAY LuADsR
hiss issued = cloud efsupplemsnIs to
prove that John w. Garrs,t, Of the
Il. a o. Railroad, has bought up
she so-called wes, Yirginla certlh-
Gates Of the Virginia debt, with q
view 20 have them assumed by our
next Legislature. We have not yet
fully read or considered the points
Of the LEADER. But 20 far "a we
bsve examined them we have per.
ceived nothing IN the text Of the
documentary evidence furnished 10
prove that Virginia has done more
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-07-05

debt might reach the sum OF one
million OF dollars. What We wish
TO call particular attention To In that
the supposed effort on the part of
the b. d. o r. r. Co, through its
presiding officer, by the purchase of
the certificates of Indebtedness It
mere nominal fguree, might, In an
indirect way. esddle upon West
Virginia q debt that would unjustly
Increase our taxes, but which che
might avoid upon . fair. square and
equitable settlement. Here is where
the danger lies, and the sooner we
consult our own interest by the re.
lection OF such men to represent ua
In the next Legislature, IN will
nave the courage to resist any effort
that may be made In this direction.
the better It will be for us Az
to how much of the Virginia
debt we really aud justiy owe, we
have always entertained the opin.
lon upon final settlement IL would
be found to be q mere trifie-if any.
thing at all. And we are Informed
that, (if the question should ever
have to be adjudicated by the court)
the principal has already been set.
tied by the Supreme Court In q
case from one of the Western States,
In which new county had been
formed from an old one, which,
before the division, had incurred u
large debt by a subscription to a
railroad, and that after the forma-
ton of the new county an effort,
was made to force q contribution
toward the liquidation of the liza.
bility. tf,
1t was decided In this case that
the new country could not be made
liable for any portion Of the debt.
This, 1t seems, is an analogous case
to ours, and IL true, as we believe IL
Is, we could have nothing to fear in
any legal proceeding. Our propo-
sition ia to ascertain first what Dor.
ton OF the debt we ought to pay, e
any, upon an equitable basis, and
then pay 1t, let II he much or little.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-07-05
well Enough That the Subject Should
be Discu.ssd.r

From Tie Barboui JeGsr.on.au.
We present our readers this WEE K
With a twenty-eight column supple.
meDt. We cal their attention paf.
ucularly % al ,.' Gle published
therein on the safe debt .. Virgin,
IA. u is able. interesting and I6gi.
cal The SUNDAY LEADER deserve.
lbe thanks - the people Of the
State for bringing the matter 10
their attention. There may be
nothing 10 &C.. but still n "a well
enough be discu -sed before the PEG.
pie
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-07-05
Truly" A Matter Of Serious interest

From the wirt Co. Mentor.
We present our readers with this
weeks issue Of the Mentor, supple
ment sheet, containing = clear and
reliable statement Of the Virginia
debt, which IL will be well for them
to read attentively.
The consideration Of this matter,
which now looms up With such mag
nitude upon our HORIZON, has been
neglected from time TO time, since
the organic alton of our little State,
until &c bids fair To Become with us
now an overtaxed people, matter
~ serious interest. Years ago this
subject should have been sIuarsly
met and put TO rest by just and
equitable settlement We are not
prepared TO say why IL was not done,
or who IL responsible for the situa.
ton In which we are now places
IN relation 10 this matter.
As late IA the year 1871, Hon. j..
]. jackson aud Others we're appoint-
ed commissioners or the part Of our
State, to confer with com missioners
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-07-05
Wants II Settled on Liberal Basis,

From the WelIsDurg Herald.
We furnish our readers with a
supplement- setting forth the Views
OF Mr.. johnson. of the Wheeling
SUNDAY LEADER, and very proba,
bly, OF good many Others on the
question Of West Virginia's share
OF the original State debt. To most
Oh IL We have M objection, and in
the conclusion he comes to, that the
mater ought To be speedily arrang.
eu, we most cordially concur. We
w-uid be in favor of settling II, too,
on no ha,r.splitting principles, but
Cd u broad and generous basis that
would cou vince the world that we
Intended HONESTY. We might make
money at sharp trade, but il
"ouiu o. at the expense of our
credit, which neither the State, AS a
state, nor the individuals, cillzens
oil The State, would find i'm the end
profitable transaction.
III the Legislature Of both States
Will favor, toy resolution, u settle
fnent on some such q liberal, give
sbu-takv principle, We see no reason
why q board OF competent, disinter-
esten ana responsible arbitrators,
readily To be procured, could not
not come al conclusion that would
do substantial justice in very
short space OF time. More compli-
Gated anG heavier questions have
been settled before, where there
was manifest u disposition 10 settle
and settle fairly, and il can tie done
again.
Inc Johu w. Garrett and West
Virginia certificate bugaboo, 10
which the LEADER seems to attach
so much Importance, we do not
MINK !, a very weighty one. If
West Virginia had agency I'm fixing
those certificates, as she had not,
what obligation 10 she under TO
honor them aud how can they be of
any value to JOHN w. Garrett or
any body else unless her legal au-
thorities legally assume them
They might on the programme "a
prepared st Richmond, the concur
renee of West Virginia being AZ
sumed as probable, have been re-
garded ~ u convenience, but the
Issuance of them by the old State
did not 10 - lest. 10 any way
compicate West Virginia In the
matter. she may, and doubtless
VIII, totally ignore the entire batch,
~hvD they wall oe worth just the
market value o. that much spoiled
paper.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-07-05
a Fereaoas concIusIon.

Prom the Jackson Herald.
IL seems TO be about settled that
our next Legislature will be oppo=-
90 To paying any part OF the old
States Indebtedness.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-07-05
The Standard" Laying the Article 10
Tor Rainy Day, a. Il Does Eeverv.
thing Else Of Importance.
From the Wheeling STANDARD.


Our neighbor, the SUNDAY
LEADER, has 10 or so columns in it,
isst issue on the Virginia debt. The
nrst rainy day we will read 10 care.
FULLY and make some observations
thereon II we mistake not the no.
sition iak~n by the LEADER il thu,
We owe no part of The Virginia
DEBT. II this be true, then the Lean.
Ek Is wrong We insist that West
Virgip,s owes ~ equitable portion
OF tue 'ot OF Virginia at the time
West Virginia was made "A separate
STATE, out the exact amount that
should of right he charged to her
we are unable TO say. Our plan H.
10 select cpmmittee OF arbitrators
from other States and let them de.
de IL. Thi. is the only wac de-
cision eau De reached.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-07-05
Leaves u 10 Ito Readers.

Morgantown New Dominion.
Let the people read the article on
The Virginia debt. in the supple
ment accompanying this issue of
our haper. and decide the question
for Themselves.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-07-05
The "HeraId" Thinks II Absurd.

From the Jackson Herald.
There appears to be no dispute
about the absurdity OF this State
shouldering a debt OF Sis OOO, 900,
either to satisfy the old State or
to suit Garrett.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-07-05
The "A'uss" Eye on the Subject.

From the West Virginia Argus.
3 We present our readers this week
with . supplement containing, be.
sides large quantity OF mIsceIla.
neous reading matter, q well writ
ten article from the Wheeling
SUNDAY LEADER on the "Virginia
Debt" While we think some Of
the terms used in expressing some
ideas are a little strong, we believe
the article represents the general
opinion Of the people-that West
Virginia should not assn me the pay
ment OF any part Of the debt of
Virginia but that the debt of Wiz.
ginis should be paid by Virginia.
In 1860 the debt amounted to
S31 us, 667. 80: and of this immense
Gum only 81, 7S4. 329. % were expend.
ed In that part Of the State now
comprising the State Of West Wiz.
ginis, while she paid into the treas.
ury of Virginia So ,s92, 900. ION this
basis Virginia really owes We-,
Virginia instead Of West Virginia
owing her."
The West Virginia Certificates"
referred 70 In the supplement have
been bought up by that greatest Of
avaricious individuals, John w.
Garrett, President of that fick ie
corporation which has been robbing
our people for the last several years
the B. d o. r. r. Co.-and it
would certainly please him to learn
that the Legislature Of West Vir.
ginia had 80 far wandered from jus.
tice and intelligence as to assume
the ayment OF any part of the debt
OF Virginia. However, there is no
one who does not have more respect
for the honor and intelligence of the
members OF our State Legislature
than 10 think they would assume
the responsibility of paying part of
debt contracted for i'm ID Is
In another State, and from which
they deprived DO benefit.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-07-05
AIss Demands the Right Sort Of Can.
didates.

From the Clarksburg News.
III the supplement sent out with
this paper. we reproduce from the
Wheeling SUNDAY LEADER, a
lengthy article, In which the liabiIi-
ty Of this State for the payment Of a
portion Of the State debt Of Virginia
IL discussed. The article is valuable.
because IL gives in full the act of the
Virginia Legislature by which that
State foolishly Undertook TO set
aside oBe-third OF her State debt
contracted before the war as West
Virginia's share Of IL, ALSO because a
contains copious extracts from the
report Of the Commissioner of this
State TO treat with the authorities OF
Virginia on the subject offs propos.
cd adjustment 81 the public debt of
that state. Regarding the state.
ment that Mr.. Garrett, President OF
the Il. d y. X. r. Co, has bought
largely Of the certificates set aside
by Virginia as our sbsre Of the deb,
We know nothing. We think Mr..
Garrett, or any other man, would
be very foolish IL they would buy
certificates that propose to bind this
Slate, when In fact the State never
authorized them, had DO part In
Issuing them and In In no wsy re-
sponsible for the amounts Of money
they represent,
We have always felt sore that
upon fsiT and legal settlement
between Virginia ana this State, we
would owe The old Stats nothing.
Our liability 10 these 70 whom the
State debt Of Virginia Contracted
prior 70 1881 IL due h another
question. We are not prepared to
say that q portion Of she people Of =
State can relieve themselves Of the
payUep offs State debt ne regards
the hStders Of u, by forming thai
portion Of the State In which they
live into new Etate, but n we are
not relieved by such action, 4,
being demonstrated that ths money
was about all expended In the terri.
tory now composing Virginia, she
is doubtless liable TO us for any Dor.
ton We may have 70 ray, " We
l ever have any part Of II TO pay. II
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-07-05
Does not Subscribe to u "In Toto. -

FROM tue horgaDtowp Post.
We present 10 supplement to-day
an article from the Wheeling LEA.
DER on the Virginia debt question
AS there are various opinions ex-
pressed on this subject by many
who profess 10 be well informed
and "a the LEADER enters at con-
siderable length upon the subject,
We give the article entire, but do
not subscribe to IL IN toto. There
are some good thoughts In It, how.
ever, and we leave the public 20
read IL and draw their own conclu-
sioDs. The main object In the article
seems To be 20 hold out the idea thar
West Virginia owes old Virginia
nothing at all. This proposition
many Of our citizens will endorse.
while others hold that we do owe
our old mother something but not
experimenting ''miliiOus," rs some
suppose.
South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-07-05
The Sooner Settled the Better.

From the Richie Democrat.
Ii 10 thought that the matter of
paying West Virginia's share of the
State debt OF old Virginia will come
up before the next session OF the
Legislature Of this State. So far as
we can understand the question,
this State Is neither In law nor
equity liable for any part thereof,
and the claim ought 10 be resist
ed. Nevertheless, it will have to
one way or the other, be decided
and some time or other, and
perhaps the sooner the better.
The buying up OF Virginia State
certificates of Indebtedness by Mr..
Garrett, OF the b. & O., at 4 few
cents on the dollar, wherewith II is
thought he proposes in some way
or other finally to pay his taxes In
this State, has prominently arrested
public attention to this sutj ect. But
"a Its decision Is matter Of doubt,
and will probably he deferred into
the dim distance Of far of future,
we see no special reason at this time
for occuying much space In Its dis.
custom.