Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-11-24
THE HARPER's FERRY PROPERTY
SETTLEMENT

The citizens OF IIarper's Ferry are re-
ioicing over a final settlement OF the
long and weary wrangle with the l. ;.
government regarding the most valuable
part OF the real estate of that town.
This contest, which has lasted through
ten years or more, has been in AMI out
of Congress, in and out o; the courts,
and has 50 unsettled the business OF
that once prosperous community,
that it will require many years for it TO
REGAIN its former thrift and standing.
The sale of the property belonging to
the United States government, was made
i'm 1869, after Congress had determined
to abandon the works located there,
which were destroyed during the war.
The property was bid in at fabulous
prices by the citizens of the place, who
were acting under the impression that
the vast water power Of that locality had
been purchased and was about to be
utilized by a company OF capitalists,
which impression, We believe, was given
out by tine agents Of the government
prior % the sale. We arr not certain
but the government had partly ucgotiat-
Ell a sale of this part of the property,
which was aiterwarl rcsriudrd.
The purchasers, tbcrcupon, applied
10 Congress for an abatement OF the
prices for which retrospective pieces Of
property had been purchased.
In 1873 an act was passed authorizing
the solicitor OF the Treasury to abate Il
portion oi the purchase money agreed
10 be paid. The history Of the adjudi-
cations which followed, together with
the facts as to a final settlement just
reached, are thus referred to by the
Shcphcrdstowu Register;
This delicate and difficult duty OF
properly adjudicating this matter de-
volved upon Hon. Kenneth Rayner,
WHO'S at present Solicitor OF the Treas
urv. COntenljug factions arose, dIitcr-
cnces of opinion existed rs 20 what
value should be set upon the property,
and for months the greatest confusion
attended the settlement OF the questions
involved. Judge Rlyner, desiring TO
settle the question fairly, and to render
Justice to the people Of the town rs well
rs 10 protect the interest OF the Govern
mcnt, and seeing no other way by which
il could be settled, appointed a COM
mission. consisting OF an officer from his
DEPARTMENT, well known Tor his legal
attainmentS, and the two assessors Of
our county and memberOf the County
Court. ThesF gentlemen held several
meetings az Harper's Ferry and pro-
ceeded 10 ascertain the value of these
pieces of property and make report,
upon which the Solicitor has settled
with the purchasers, and most n not all
of them have now paid the Govern
ment. and are in possession of their
deeds. Considering the difficulties which
have surrounded the settlement of these
matters during the past ten years, we
congratulate the people of Harper's
Ferry on their getting relieved of their
heavy burden. All through this mat
ter. the Solicitor of the Treasury has
exercised wonderful patience, and as we
are informed, his fairness in the matter
has been such as is very rarely eXer-
cised by Government officials high in
authority. 1t is too often the case that
when a difference arises between a citi-
zen and the Government, that the Off
cial who settles the difficulties, can only
see the side of the Government TO the
prejudice Of the citizen-hence Judge
Rayner deserves especially cOmmenda-
ton i'm this matter for fairness and cor
tiect dealing.